GLASGOW’S Provan Hall is to open its doors to the public on Thursday September 14 following a £3.5 million restoration of the 15th century building.
Rumoured to be one of Glasgow’s most haunted locations, the medieval mansion house underwent the transformation, led by LTM Group, over a six-year period with it being turned into a ‘state-of-the-art’ visitor centre featuring interactive exhibits, educational activities, workshops, and community events.
Glasgow City Council has handed over the keys to the Provan Hall Community Management Trust, which will run the east end attraction. Set to host an array of events and activities, visitors can look forward to weaving workshops, ghost tours, history talks, and volunteering opportunities.
Glasgow City Council has promised that the new visitor centre will bring the building’s ‘intriguing’ history to life, with former residents and staff including a titanic survivor and a murderous jealous husband!
Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow City Council’s convener for neighbourhood services and assets, said, “Provan Hall looks amazing after its sympathetic restoration and it is a fantastic community asset. It really is an architectural gem with an astonishing wealth of history which has been preserved for future generations to enjoy.
“It has an exciting new life as a visitors centre for the Seven Loch Wetland Park and I’m absolutely thrilled that it will be managed by the local community for the community as well as attracting visitors from far and wide. Combined with the beautiful Seven Lochs Wetland Park, it makes a lovely family day out and I’m sure it is going to be extremely popular.”
Ian Monteague, chair of Provan Hall Community Trust, added, “It’s with the greatest delight that the Trust takes up the next phase of Provan Hall’s restoration – breathing new life into this venture. The Trust is keenly aware that the past we inherit – our future we plan. Provan Hall is a locally, regionally and nationally important asset – with the unique ability to tell the story of Glaswegian and Scottish heritage.
“We are ambitious about the future of Provan Hall and aim to become a top-tier heritage attraction in Scotland. It will be rooted in the local community and enhance the lives of local people, while promoting Easterhouse across the city and the country. A national asset, creating real local impact.”
Funding for the restoration came from a number of sources including Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government’s regeneration capital grant fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, Avondale, the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, the Turtleton Trust, the Wolfson Foundation, and Robert Barr’s Charitable Trust.
Caroline Clark, director for Scotland The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said, “Provan Hall is fantastic inside and out and the new technology used to tell its story really brings its rich history to life. It has been wonderful to hear about visitors to the recent open days bringing their children and grandchildren and sharing stories of visiting Provan Hall in their own childhood, underlining how important an asset it is for the community.
“The restored hall is set to take its rightful place as a heritage treasure for local people and visitors to enjoy. As a hub for the Seven Lochs Wetland Park it also takes on an important new role to support natural heritage too. We are proud to support Seven Lochs and Provan Hall thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.”
