The Story so far…
Leadhills Community Company (LCC) is exploring the community purchase of the Stable Block in Leadhills. The building is currently owned by the Earl of Hopetoun, who has indicated a willingness to sell it to the community. It is leased to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service but not used at the moment due to a suspension of the service, although they allow the community to use part of the building for storage of equipment for events etc.
Finding out what people would like from the Stable Block
LCC has secured funding from the Clyde Wind Farm to employ a consultant to draw up plans for how the building could be used by the community to find out if there is local support for such ideas. Sandra Macaskill of Caskieco began work with the us in July 2019 attending the Leadhills Gala Day to begin to talk to people about what they would like to see the stable block used for. A public meeting was held 3rd October in the Hopetoun Arms to enable a wider range of local organisations and individuals to get involved in drawing up plans.
From this meeting, this newsletter has been produced together with a questionnaire to enable everyone in the village to have their say on how the project should progress. Please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire either electronically via this link or on paper, returning it to the collection box in the village shop.
Other funding news…
LCC hopes to secure some of the funding to buy the Stable Block, if it is agreed to proceed, from the Scottish Land Fund. A successful Stage 1 application has been made which means LCC can now have a full survey done on the building so we understand what condition it is in and what works are required to make it fit for use. The feasibility study and the survey results will be reported back to the community once they are complete, hopefully by the end of November 19. We will produce another Newsletter and hold a public meeting to share the plans to that point.
What are the ideas so far…
Suggestions so far fall into three categories which is important as any future plans for the Stable Block will need to be sustainable in the longer term, i.e. they will need to cover costs as they operate as a social enterprise. A mix of activities is, therefore, a good idea as income generated by some things can help fund things which are more difficult to make money from but still important to the community.
| Community Hub | Commercial | Adventure Activities |
| Fire and Rescue | Microbrewery/Distillery | Bike and E-bike trails/repair |
| Information Centre (CAB) | Leadhills Jam Factory | Zipline across the valley |
| LCC community office | Antique sale cabinets | Outdoor centre base |
| Employment Outreach | Arts/ Crafts sale cabinets | Fishing |
| Toilets | Living museum | Shooting |
| Tourist information | Exhibition space | Walking |
| Natural Burial site |
What do you think? What would you like to see happening in the Stable Block?
Maybe you are a local artist or maker looking for studio space?
Would Leadhills like to have a reader, writer, artist in residence? Build links and access to the acclaimed Miner’s Library?
Could there be pop-up activities in the stables? What does Leadhills need? PLEASE TELL US, so it can be included in the feasibility study, nothing is too off the wall!