A MAJOR Glasgow attraction will close for two years for a refurbishment.
Pollok House, in the city's southside, will shut on November 20 for approximately two years to facilitate the second phase of a £4m programme of investment.
The works will comprise roof and general building fabric repairs and will be led by Glasgow City Council.
The landmark building and the surrounding Pollok Country Park are owned by the people of Glasgow after the historic mansion was gifted to the city by the Stirling Maxwell family in the 1960s.
Currently, it is managed by the National Trust for Scotland, under contract to the council for 25 years.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow City Council’s city convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said: “Pollok House is one of Glasgow’s most important heritage assets and I’m very pleased we are investing in a building that adds significantly to the enjoyment of visitors to Pollok Country Park.
“We have been working in close partnership with the National Trust for Scotland on Pollok House and we want to ensure the whole process of renovation is managed as carefully and as sensitively as possible.
“A huge amount of work has gone into improving Pollok Country Park and the renovation of Pollok House will add another dimension to one of the most popular parks in Scotland.
“While Pollok House is closed for refurbishment, we will also be looking closely at how we can improve the visitor experience and we look forward to when this historic home can reopen again to the public.”
The National Trust for Scotland’s chief executive Phil Long OBE said: “It’s been a great privilege for the National Trust for Scotland to have managed Pollok House over the last quarter of a century, especially as it was here that the earliest discussions leading to our charity’s founding took place at the beginning of the 1930s.
“We’re therefore delighted that the house’s owners, Glasgow City Council, have confirmed that they intend to invest in its refurbishment, following on from their very successful project at the adjacent Burrell Collection. "
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