Castlemilk Stables

Castlemilk Stables is an important Georgian remnant of the old Castlemilk agriculture estate established in the 15th Century by the Stuart family. This extensive stable complex, dating from around 1790, surrounds an open stable yard and features a walled garden and a wildflower orchard and is topped with a startling octagonal tower with clock and onion dome. The building, which was designed to be seen across the Clyde valley from miles away, was an assertion of the importance of the old estate and the Stuart family.

This project is a perfect example of the benefits of finding new uses and life for our marvellously rich built inheritance. The building contributes to the fantastic rejuvenation of modern Castlemilk, a major housing estate at times struggling, but now with ever increasing vitality and confidence.

Highlights

Sustainable and innovative heating system : The building has a new sustainable heating system - a ground source heat pump. This makes use of renewable energy stored in the ground, providing one of the most energy-efficient ways of heating buildings. Suitable for a wide variety of building types and particularly appropriate for low environmental impact projects, the system installed in most locations uses a borehole (as in the case of this Castlemilk example) or shallow trenches or, less commonly, by extracting heat from a pond or lake. Typically they cost more to install than conventional systems; however, they have low maintenance costs and can be expected to provide reliable and environmentally friendly heating for in excess of 20 years.

Traditional skills

The main contractor for this project was Chard Construction who are increasingly involved in working on historic buildings. Complex restoration projects of this kind need traditionally skilled stone masons, lead workers and slaters, and time plus a great deal of patience! The best way to repair a building is to use the identical materials and techniques originally devised. Chard brought all this to bear to achieve a marvellous result. Perhaps the most challenging task was the reconstruction from a 1902 photograph of the original slated onion dome, with doocot, which was long gone but is now meticulously recreated.

The Battle of Orleans Castlemilk Fireplace

Once dominating the main hall of Castlemilk House and one of the few treasures saved when the house was demolished in 1969, the fireplace now takes pride of place in the main foyer of the Stables. An outstanding piece of 19th century workmanship, of great historical significance, it depicts the Siege of Orleans in 1429 where Sir William Stewart (Stuart) of Castlemilk and his brother, Sir John, both died in the service of the Dauphin who later became King Charles VII of France. Joan of Arc's victory at Orleans was her first battle within three months of her initial meeting with the Dauphin and is regarded as one of the decisive battles of world history. Carvings of the Lennox Coat-of Arms are incorporated on the fireplace to mark the connection with Mary, Queen of Scots when she married her second husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley.

In 1996, with grant assistance from Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust was able to remove the fireplace from the water-damaged warehouse of the former Strathclyde Regional Council where it had languished in pieces after being submerged under 60 centimetres of water when an adjoining river burst its banks. Fortunately it is made of oak and therefore still in remarkably good condition. From 2001 until 2007 it was cared for in the local Castlemilk Economic Development Agency offices until the Castlemilk Stables restoration was complete. Now in situ , a conservator is cleaning it and developing a conservation plan to protect it for future generations.

More information on the Castlemilk Stables Project, including architect information and project profile, can be found on the GBPT website.