Revamp plan for historic home a century after fire

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Archiseek / UK / Scotland / News / 2006 / December 27

Work is finally set to start on a revamp of historic Penicuik House, more than 100 years after it was gutted by fire. Trustees of the stately home have just secured Ł1.3 million of lottery funding towards the Ł5m, six-year Historic Scotland project. It means the ruined house, one of Scotland's finest Palladian mansions, will finally be open to the public. The A-listed mansion was designed by amateur architect Sir James Clerk, and was home to generations of his family. But it was almost destroyed by a blaze in 1899, and never restored. A nearby stable block was converted into a family home, where Sir Robert and Lady Clerk live today. As part of the project, a skills centre will be based at the site, in a partnership with the Scottish Lime Centre, providing an opportunity to train hundreds of stonemasons and other craftsmen in traditional skills. Catherine Gregan, project manager, said work would be starting in the spring after many years of fundraising.

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