19th century hall brought back to life

A HISTORIC community building in the heart of Whithorn is set to reopen later this year following a major renovation. The work on Whithorn Old Town Hall was made possible thanks to £80,000 of funding from SP Energy Networks’ Transmission Net Zero Fund. The hall – which is owned and operated by social enterprise Building Futures Galloway – was constructed in 1814 and has laid vacant since 2011. The ambitious project has so far seen the installation of a new air source heat pump along with extensive insulation upgrades using traditional lime-stone native to the Galloway area. The insulation alone is set to improve thermal performance in the 200-year-old building and, with the addition of the new pump, it’s anticipated emissions will drop by up to 59 per cent. Once completed, the hall will act as a base for local charities and also host exhibitions about the town’s history. Building Futures Galloway is using the renovations as a means of providing training to local young people – teaching the next generation valuable skills, including the historic lime-stone techniques. The social enterprise was founded in 2021 and offers 18-25s opportunities to learn traditional construction skills. The organisation is one of the recipients of SP Energy Networks’ Net Zero Fund. Commenting, Scott Mathieson, from SP Energy Networks, said: “Our team and infrastructure are deeply embedded in southern Scotland and it’s essential that we’re empowering local communities to access the advantages that zero-emission energy offers. “Building Futures Galloway is a shining example of creativity and ingenuity. We’re proud to be a part of protecting not just an iconic local building but also safeguarding historic construction techniques by creating skilled tradespeople who can carry them into the future.” Julia Muir Watt, of Building Futures Galloway, added: “This has been a landmark project for us. We know from speaking to members of the community, and from listening to feedback from those who have come along to our visits, just how much the restoration of the Old Town Hall means to Whithorn. “With the support of SP Energy Networks, we’ve been able to restore a building that was once the heart of our town and create an affordable and environmentally friendly space for a whole host of groups to take advantage of. “The progress made so far is testament to the skills of the young people working on the project – who have all embraced traditional methods to create something that is truly special.”