A HISTORIC property has found a new lease of life as the Cloverglen Centre.
Shambellie House was built in 1856 and was the National Museum of Costume from 1978 until it closed in 2013.
It then sat empty until it was officially handed over to local trustees in July 2021, and the lodge is the first part of the project to be completed.
It has been redeveloped as a care service, providing essential services to assist persons with learning difficulties or mental health from the age of 16 upwards.
It was officially opened by Emma Harper MSP, who said: “It was great to officially open the Cloverglen Centre at Shambellie House.
“The redevelopment of the building at the entrance to Shambellie is an excellent example of reclaiming a vacant, abandoned, almost derelict building and transforming it to help deliver something very worthwhile.”
Centre founder Eric Bridgwood and the young adults from Cloverglen have been an integral part of Shambellie for the past year.
Mr Bridgwood said: “Our young people love the scope of opportunities that we have had since coming to Shambellie.
“Their skills in managing the gardens, planting trees and flowers, and keeping the inside of the house neat and tidy while learning how to cook has been tremendous.”
Cloverglen’s young people will be among the first to attend the courses being offered at Shambellie in April and May.
Ann Hill will be teaching them to make cushions for their new accommodation during their ‘Quilt Fling’ festival which runs from May 19-26 at Shambellie House.
Further information on all classes available on the website at ShambellieHouse.org.
