Gracemount Mansion – a Category B-listed building dating from around 1780, has been passed into community ownership through a Community Asset Transfer.
The building was originally constructed as a country villa, and it later became a youth and community centre until it was closed in 2018.Its cultural and social significance is deeply rooted in the Gracemount area — and now with action from locals and the support of the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), it has been returned to the community.
The Friends of Gracemount said: “This is a major milestone not just for Gracemount, but for heritage-led regeneration in Scotland. Community ownership is critical in moving from ambition to action — enabling groups to secure funding, begin emergency stabilisation works, and plan for sustainable re-use.Gracemount Mansion Development Trust is already progressing essential works to make the building safe, with a phased approach to reopening sections for community use while detailed project development and fundraising continue.Gracemount Mansion is one of several assets of high heritage significance situated in areas of deprivation, where local stewardship is vital for their long-term care. Thanks to previous AHF support, these historic buildings are being given a new lease of life — not just as preserved landmarks, but as meaningful, active spaces for the communities they serve.”
A spokesperson for AHF said: “The new owner, Gracemount Mansion Development Trust, is now progressing a first phase of emergency works to make the building safe, before embarking on repairs to allow an initial partial use by the community, while longer-term project planning and fundraising continues.”
Lindsay Aitken, Chair of Gracemount Mansion Development Trust, said: “The early support and guidance from AHF was really useful, and a fantastic boost for our project, for which we’re very grateful.”
