Kirktonhall, 1, Glen Road, West Kilbride

Tall 3 storey house backing onto main street; harled; grey painted stone dressings; battlemented parapet has date 1807; another datestone near street level has initials R.S. and M.W. 1660 - Principal facade towards garden to rear; centre projecting 2 storey porch has Gothic Palladian window on 1st floor and lower stage supported on corner columns; lintel has inscription "Rebuilt by Frank Ritchie 1791"; long 3 window facade, ridge roof with large Victorian dormers, plain gables; lower addition to left has bay window.

Dr. Robert Simpson, translator of Euclid, was a native of West Kilbride, his family having lived at Kirktonhall for some generations. (Historic Scotland)

July 2009: External inspection finds the building vacant and boarded up. Currently marketed for sale.

November 2011: A member of the public advises a survey report was carried out which identifying outbreaks of dry and wet rot. The property remains on the market for sale, through North Ayrshire Council, offers over £100,000. Local planners confirm a timber survey previously conducted highlighted signs of wet and dry rot in roof timbers. The extent of this is not fully known and won't be fully known until a specialist inspects water ingress within the wallheads. Steps have taken steps to improve ventilation and make the roof watertight. Additionally, the building has been from subject to vandalism and illegal entry.

12 June 2012: External inspection finds the boarded-up openings have been painted to show interior scenes. The dormers are felted over. S1West Kilbride reported in Feb 2012 that a local group, Kirktonhall Business Centre Group is exploring acquiring the property.

7 January 2013: Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust advise they are working with Kirktonhall Business Centre Group to explore options for the site.

14 October 2014: External inspection finds general deterioration evident with felt patching to rooflights, evidence of dampness and flaking paint.

25 March 2015: SBPT has been working with the Kirktonhall Creative Media Group to develop a project for the building. SBPT have completed a report and business plan for the Group which demonstrates that a potentially viable scheme exists comprising a Digital Creative Media Suite on the ground floor and a range of small, flexible start up business units on the upper floors. There will also be a flexible meeting room equipped with technology compatible with the Media Suite. The key focus of the project will be on developing a range of digital media courses for all ages and backgrounds. KCMG has recently submitted grant applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Growing Community Assets and also Historic Scotland.

14 July 2015: A member of the public advises they have approached North Ayrshire Council with an offer to purchase the property with a view to bringing in back into use as a dwelling.

North Ayrshire Council is currently marketing the building for sale, offers invited, with a closing date of noon on 31 July 2015 having been set.

23 February 2017: The new owner of the property advises they took possession of the property recently and intend to convert the property back into a dwelling.

16 February 2018: Local planners advise planning permission for use as a dwelling granted (ref: 16/00235/PP) with listed building consent for works also granted (ref: 17/00068/LBC). Conversion works are underway. Moved to Restoration in Progress.

23 October 2019: External inspection finds that the building remains a Restoration in Progress, with some repair works carried out since last visit. Property has been repainted and rear windows have been unboarded and repaired. Roof and dormers in process of being repaired. Still signs of damp in some areas of render. Artwork on window boards remains the same. 'Dangerous Building' signs erected throughout.
Post-survey update. The building owner has advised BARR he has completed approximately 90% of the restoration project.

27 September 2021: The building owner contacts BAR to advise work is still ongoing, with all historic windows saved.

15 October 2021: The building owner contacts BARR to advise the restoration works continue - the current phase focusing on the retention and overhaul of the 33 windows.

24 January 2024: Desk-based assessment using Google Street View shows that works to windows appear to be complete. Unclear if other works remain.