Efforts to preserve and restore Lochgilphead鈥檚 historic charm are in full swing as the town鈥檚 Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) continues to make progress.
This ambitious 拢2.3 million heritage-led project, jointly funded by 国产视频 and Historic Environment Scotland (HES), along with contributions from building owners, is breathing new life into the town鈥檚 historic buildings while fostering traditional skills and community involvement.
The CARS programme is not just about bricks and mortar; it is a comprehensive initiative that includes a variety of activities aimed at revitalising the town. From building repairs and shopfront enhancements to hands-on traditional skills training and engaging education events, the project is helping to transform the town.
Significant work to restore 1 Argyll Street and 3-17 Colchester Square is now complete, while work is almost finished on the project鈥檚 other two priority buildings at 2-4 and 6-10 Argyll Street, including a full makeover of the exteriors. Work is also progressing well at 15-19 Argyll Street.
The following shopfront improvement projects are also progressing well and are expected to be finished by the end of May:
- Argyll Caf茅, 23-25 Argyll Street
- Argyll Pharmacy, 4 Argyll Street
- Argyll Wealth Consultants, 10 Argyll Street
These shopfronts have been restored to a high-quality heritage standard, benefitting from various improvements, including new hardwood glazed timber doors, double glazed windows, lead-covered fascias, new colour schemes and traditional hand-painted signage. Notably, Argyll Pharmacy now boasts a new state-of-the-art dispenser, enabling people to access their prescriptions 24 hours a day. The grant awards for these projects also includes funding from the Scottish Governments Place Based Investment (PBI) Programme. Numerous Small Repair grant projects have also been completed over the past few years as part of the initiative.
Council Leader, Councillor Jim Lynch, said: 鈥淚t is incredibly rewarding to see our historic buildings being restored to their former glory and the positive impact that this has had on the vibrancy of the town and the pride local people take in the area. The CARS programme is not just about preserving the past; it is about building a brighter future for Lochgilphead and the community of Mid Argyll.鈥
Plans are now underway for further education events in partnership with local schools, and additional training courses will be available to building owners and tradespeople in the coming weeks. Keep an eye out for further details coming soon.
