Major facelift for historic inn

THE decaying facade of an historic inn made famous by Robert Burns is to be restored to its former glory. Work on the long-derelict Whigham’s Inn in Sanquhar is due to start this week. Layers of paint, which are trapping moisture and damaging the building, will be removed to reveal the original sandstone. And that is just phase one of a multi-million-pound revamp of the building. Ronnie Bradford is part of Sanquhar Enterprise Company (SEC) which bought the building last year. He said: “Whigham’s Inn has huge historical and cultural significance for Sanquhar, but for many years it has also been a visible reminder of how vulnerable heritage buildings can become if they are left without a sustainable future. “Starting work on the facade is a major step. It demonstrates progress on the ground and shows the community that this building is finally on a path towards restoration and reuse.” Burns was friends with former owner Edward Whigham and stayed there during his travels between Ayrshire and Dumfriesshire. However, it fell into decline during the late 20th century, standing largely unused for nearly 40 years. However, a new lease of life is now on the cards, as SEC looks to bring it back into active use while respecting its historic character. Plans include a mix of self-contained apartments within the main structure, alongside office space, and a small bunkhouse, Proposals are also being developed to interpret the inn’s literary and cultural heritage, using digital and virtual reality technology to bring the history to life and explore the Burns connections. Above: Steven McCreadie, head of Dry Ice by Eco