Blantyre Project had the pleasure this week of conducting a tour of Crossbasket Castle for the teaching staff and 20 students of South Lanarkshire College.
The students were there to learn about sustainable tourism and to see up close a case study of a listed building at risk that was recently renovated. They had to choose a luxury listed building and discuss some of the listed features of the building and how it could be made more environmentally friendly such as heat pumps, solar panels etc but whilst also protecting the character and charm of the place, e.g stain glass windows, remoulded cornices, architectural features etc.
So, after work, on the afternoon of Thursday 20th September 2018, I had to combine both construction knowledge and history to gave an hour and half presentation to the young people, something I was only able to do has I had unprecedented access to the 2011-2015 renovation of Crossbasket. I enjoyed myself immensely and hope I managed to convey some history and construction input, including (as always) promoting Crossbasket in a deserving fashion for High Blantyre. It was a chance for many attending to see the Castle up close for the first time, with access to bedrooms, the tower, the grand ballroom, ceremony room and new link corridors.
The students appeared interested and asked good questions, which hopefully were answered as best as I could. Thank you to teacher, Kirsty Bicket for the invite and also to Emma and Vicki at Crossbasket Castle for their kindness and for being so accommodating in a “live hotel and restaurant” environment.
