Restoration of historic Cally Temple nominated for Scottish Civic Trust My Place Award

The restoration of Cally Temple has been shortlisted for a Scottish Civic Trust My Place Award.

Located in Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway, Cally Temple was nominated for the award by the Gatehouse of Fleet Community Council, notably for the volunteer work carried out by the Gatehouse Development Initiative.

The grade B listed, two storey building was built in 1779 and attributed to James Ramsay. The building had fallen into disrepair and was painstakingly restored by the Gatehouse Development Initiative in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland, assisted by Savills architect Michael Leybourne and architectural technician Allan Lees and a group of dedicated local volunteers.

Michael Leybourne also worked with an accredited conservation consultant, Andrew Wright, during the initial appraisal work and much of the development work prior to Savills appointment was undertaken by the late Anthony Wolffe, Scotland’s oldest practicing Architect at the time. The conservation and restoration work was completed in spring 2015, using funds raised by the Gatehouse Development Initiative.

Michael Leybourne, Savills rural architect based in Dumfries Office, said: “The project was very much community led, generating everything from updates on the community website and poetry recitals to creative writing and guided walks and tours. David Steel of the Gatehouse Development Initiative together with his volunteers did a beautiful job of the ground work around the building and were a great client to work with. Luce Bay were the contractors on the project, and also worked to a very high standard. It’s great to see the finished restored building, and it’s even better that Cally Temple has been nominated for this award.”

Established in 2010, The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards are a celebration of good local design and conservation in Scotland, as nominated by local people. Non-industry awards, they strive to identify projects or buildings that have had a positive impact on a local community. Entries are assessed on their architectural, heritage and/or place making benefits.

The restoration of Cally Temple received funding from the following groups:

The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards ceremony is on 22 March 2016.