POLLOK House in Glasgow is to close for two years to facilitate the second phase of a £4 million programme of investment led by Glasgow City Council.
Roof and general building fabric repair works will be undertaken as part of phase two of the project, with visitors having until November to explore the 16th century house.
The renovation work follows the award-winning refurbishment of the Burrell Collection, which is also situated in Pollok Country Park. Glasgow City Council is currently developing an integrated plan for the wider park, which includes the £15 million project to refurbish and repurpose the stables and sawmill adjacent to Pollok House.
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 of 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, added, “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 some of 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.”
