Lord Dalhousie has been ousted as chairman of the Unicorn Preservation Society in an astonishing row within the organisation that seeks to secure a viable future for one of the world’s oldest ships.
Vice-chairman Mervyn Rolfe, a former lord provost of Dundee, is another casualty in what has been described as “a coup” on the board of the body whose patron is the Princess Royal.
The two men have been replaced as part of a move to site the wooden frigate, launched in 1824, in a dry dock at Dundee to become a tourist attraction similar to the Discovery at Discovery Point.
Lord Dalhousie whose father set up the society in 1968 and Mr Rolfe both offered themselves for re-election to the top posts but were defeated in the ballot of governors.
The new chairman is Dundee solicitor Michael Clark and vice-chairman Professor David Bradley, formerly of Abertay University. Lord Dalhousie and Mr Rolfe have retained their places as governors and Mr Rolfe is still treasurer.
Their abrupt removal from the two highest offices shocked many fellow governors especially the ousting of Lord Dalhousie.
The 65-year-old, who lives at Brechin Castle, is recognised for his tireless devotion to the Unicorn’s cause and has impeccable connections as vice-Lord Lieutenant of Angus and Lord Steward of Her Majesty’s Household.
Their ousting was described by one person close to the organisation, who didn’t want to be named, as “a coup” orchestrated by a faction of board members.
The change in leadership comes at a sensitive time as the old board were in the process of negotiating the Unicorn’s membership of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, a link which would hoist the 189-year-old frigate to the top of the funding list for venerable old ships and put her on the same footing as Nelson’s Victory.
Her position at Victoria Dock has been shrouded in uncertainty recently.
New chairman Michael Clark played down the suggestion that there had been a coup among the society’s governors.
“We are moving forward and it was decided there should be a change as we seek a new future for the Unicorn, which is likely to be at the East Graving Dock,” he said.
“There have been no resignations from the board and the Earl of Dalhousie and Mr Rolfe are still very much involved.”
No comment was available from Lord Dalhousie. Mr Rolfe declined to comment at length but said he was not present at the meeting at which the changes took place.