A crumbling 18th century building in the Clachan of Campsie Churchyard in Lennoxtown – the Lennox Waiting Room - has been restored to its former glory thanks to the dedication of a local group and funding awards of almost £40k.

The Lennoxtown Heritage and Preservation Trust worked closely with East Dunbartonshire Council on the civic pride project to attract funding to have specialist work done to the ancient structure to secure it for future generations.

Records show that the Lennox Waiting Room was built in 1715 and extended in 1819 to be used by the prominent Lennox Family, headed up by Lady Lennox, as a place to rest and get warm before services in the nearby church.

David Carlin from the Lennoxtown Heritage and Preservation Trust said: "There is so much local history in this area and I’d like to thank our members whose endeavours have restored at least one historic building to its former glory. There have been other buildings which we have unfortunately not been able to restore but we have halted their decline.

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"Thanks to everyone, including the Council Officers we worked with, for all the effort and hard work they have put into this project. I hope we can continue."

The Clachan of Campsie Churchyard is an ancient graveyard located at the foot of the Campsies, which attracts large numbers of tourists, geologists and walkers every year.

Councillor John Dempsey, Vice Convener of the Council’s Development & Infrastructure Committee, added: "Restoring this structure has not only benefited the local people in Lennoxtown but it has also ensured that one of the few examples of this type of structure in Scotland continues to be an available source of interest to all.

"I’m delighted that the Waiting Room is, and will carry on being, accessible to the public 52 weeks of the year. This project represents an excellent example of a civic pride project between the Council and the local community to improve the area."

As well as being fully accessible all year round to the general public, the graveyard and Waiting Room are regularly visited by local school pupils to research many of the area’s historic local figures.

The restoration of a building of such significance comes at an opportune time as the Campsies Steering Group has just launched its strategy and action plan for protecting and promoting the Campsies.

(GK)