A 300-year-old mansion in Midlothian has been “saved from collapse” after receiving a multi-million-pound restoration grant.
Campaigners have been fighting to save the Category A listed Mavisbank House near Loanhead since it was severely damaged by a fire 50 years ago.
Last week, the National Heritage Memorial Fund announced that a £5.3 million grant would be given to the Landmark Trust to restore the building and "save it from collapse".
Midlothian Council said they would be seeking to implement a compulsory purchase order to allow them to take over the site once the funding is in place.
READ MORE: MP declines Piers Morgan interview over Baby Reindeer character
The building has been derelict since it was gutted by a fire in 1973, with the ownership rights uncertain following the death of Mrs Willis Stevenson, who bought the property in the 1950s.
It was built by Scottish architect William Adam in 1723 as a summer residence for John Clerk of Penicuik – a well-known figure in the Scottish Enlightenment.
It was also used as a hospital for those living with mental illnesses during the 19th century before ultimately falling into disrepair.
In the 1980s Midlothian Council ordered for the building to be demolished.
However, volunteers maintained a vigil on the property until the decision was reversed.
The Landmark Trust, which restores and rents out historic buildings, said the restoration would take place in numerous phases.
They said: “The vital first phase will see the crumbling building and pavilions stabilised before any more historic fabric falls away, enable up-to-date condition surveys and resolve the long-standing ownership and access issues.
“A second phase is planned to involve the restoration of the house with extensive opportunities for people to learn traditional skills and follow the work in progress.
“The end use is expected to be a mixture of accommodation for short residential stays and public access, including regular free open days.
“The grant is the major enabler in a funding package which also includes £1.338m raised to date from various other sources, including the Landmark Trust’s own funds.”
Midlothian council leader Kelly Parry said: “We have long supported the opportunity to restore Mavisbank House, so this is wonderful news.
READ MORE: Rishi Sunak mentions 'Scottish nationalists' in speech about extremism
“Once the full funding package is in place, we will use our compulsory purchase powers to help secure a future for this important building.”
Dr Anna Keay, director of the Landmark Trust, added: “Mavisbank has hung by little more than a thread for so long, with demolition seriously contemplated on more than one occasion.
“The Landmark Trust is absolutely thrilled that through this grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, and the support and expertise of many others, we can start the process of saving it.”
The trust is seeking a further £1.6m to complete the project.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel