The funding for the repair and refurbishment received a tremendous boost recently with a £56,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). This additional grant money will assist with the repair work and the activities surrounding the research, interpretation and display of the "scavenging" maps of the County or Lanarkshire from 1800 to pre 1974. It will also be used to research significant events such as the "Cambuslang Wark" gatherings of 1742 which impacted on the people of Cambuslang and the wider world including the revivalist movement in America.

The Cambuslang Institute, currently the home to a variety of sporting, cultural and meeting facilities, dates back to 1898 and is managed by South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council. The council has worked closely with Historic Scotland to ensure that the building elements highlighted by the survey are carried out with sensitivity. Work on the project will start on 17th September and is being developed by the Council’s Housing & Technical Resources. It is anticipated that the renovation of the institute will be complete by Spring 2013.  

Commenting on the project, Councillor Hamish Stewart, Chair of Community Services Committee, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund which will help us safeguard the future of this iconic facility in Cambuslang. This is the latest in a number of successful partnership projects with the Heritage Lottery Fund which has seen the improvement of facilities across a range of venues throughout South Lanarkshire.”

Colin McLean, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland, said: “This project will totally rejuvenate a much-loved building, bringing it back to the heart of the community for everyone to use and enjoy. It demonstrates how a heritage building, while providing an important link to a community’s roots, can also be adapted for the needs today. HLF always keen to hear from South Lanarkshire groups with more heritage project ideas.”

Further information

Interested groups can contact scotland@hlf.org.uk or call 0131 225 9450.