Old School in Campbeltown to be turned in to hostel

[Kintyre Forum News]

Another exciting piece of news just announced is that The Old School at the foot of Lorne Street and the Big Kiln will be repaired to become a hostel for visitors to the area.

The Old School, Campbeltown is owned by the Kintyre Amenity Trust who commissioned SBPT to undertake an Options Appraisal on their behalf. The appraisal was funded by the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Campbeltown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme. This work was completed in July 2008 and indicated that a repair project which put the building into use as a hostel for visitors to the town was likely to be viable and fundable.

The Old School, Campbeltown

Since then SBPT and the Kintyre Amenity Trust have been working to develop the project further. Successful applications to the LEADER Programme and the Campbeltown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme have been made. This funding will pay for design and development of the re-use scheme over the summer 2009. It is hoped that funding for the capital works will be forthcoming to allow work to begin on site later this year.

Update 31st July 2009 - The consultant team has now been appointed to develop the project. They are a design team led by John Gilbert Architects with The Structural Partnership and CDM Scotland. Quantity surveying services are being provided by Morham & Brotchie. The development phase will see detailed designs prepared with an emphasis on green technologies. Statutory and grant applications, along with tendering for the main contract, should proceed before the end of the year.

[Beachcomber]

Great to read that something worthwhile is being done with the building. It was sad to see how dilapidated it was looking in recent years.

Is there anywhere we can read the full report and it's recommendations for implementation?

[Hels]

Great to hear this. Always thought that this was a lovely looking building with potential if someone had the money to spend on it. Also great to hear that it is going to be a hostel - apart from camping there is a total lack of budget accommodation in these parts

[Ship called Dignity]

A hostel is a great idea. I think the old Police Station would make a perfect hostel too! (otherwise will lie empty...)

[EMDEE]

A hostel is a great idea. I think the old Police Station would make a perfect hostel too! (otherwise will lie empty...)

And it does have a history of providing overnight accommodation.

[Annie]

Well it should be used, even if it is for a hostel. The hotels around town are not cheap!

[daftdog]

A hostel in the old police station is an ideal choice of use for the building and one that would benefit the area as a whole in my opinion, but not sure the guest houses and hotels would see it that way, but then competition is good all-round. The old school building is a good start and no reason why there can't be two hostels in town.

[RMcC]

I stay just across from Old School house and it is in such a bad state just now, can only be a good thing that plans for hostel are going ahead.

[WTC]

I wouldn’t have thought it was big enough for a hostel. It would have to have dorms and male, female and disabled toilets and shower facilitates and a kitchen.

How about turning the old police station into a themed guest house. Pay £50 a night for a cell with en-suite.

[mrn]

A hostel in the old police station is an ideal choice of use for the building and one that would benefit the area as a whole in my opinion, but not sure the guest houses and hotels would see it that way, but then competition is good all-round.

I don't think anyone needs to have concerns. It is a well known fact in Campbeltown that there is a severe lack of budget accommodation. Anything to bring people to the area who will leave impressed and pass on the good word is a good thing!

A hostel is particuarly good news for the likes of the Kintyre Way where walkers are just looking for a bed after a day's walking.

Like the idea for the Police Station too. Now there could be a theme to that!

[Anon]

How about turning the old police station into a themed guest house. Pay £50 a night for a cell with en-suite.

This man deserves +1 Internets

[bill]

This man deserves +1 Internets

Is it just me that is missing the meaning of the above ? ?