CONSERVATION experts carrying out vital work to a historic property are to help householders get on top of their DIY.
Glasgow City Council has approved more than £1 million to repair and refurbish Pollok House which has been dubbed Scotland’s answer to Downton Abbey by the National Trust.
Work will include roof and stonework repairs, the refurbishment of windows and treatment for rot and beetle infestation.
Experts believe the conservation scheme will give visitors the chance to learn more about one of the treasures of Glasgow’s built heritage.
And they plan to deliver workshops designed to help residents keep their own homes in better shape.
Although few properties are as grand as Pollok House, conservationists say the challenges it faces are remarkably similar to those found in many old properties.
Innovative interpretation will be put in place to explain the work being carried out and showcase the skills needed to maintain a historic building and protect the unique furniture and art collections it houses.
Talks and exhibitions will be staged and because many city residents live in properties which have similar conservation challenges, partners will even host regular workshops on building care and maintenance.
Councillor Bill Butler, chairman of the group managing the long-term future of Pollok House, said the £1m investment was crucial to protect and enhance the important building.
He added: “Pollok House is a magnificent building and an important window into the city’s history.
“It is also a very popular attraction both for visitors and the people of Glasgow and the council’s investment will ensure that continues to be the case for years to come.”
The city council is working closely with the National Trust which runs the visitor attraction and once work is completed new areas of the building will be open to the public for the first time.
Mr Butler said: “It is important the building and the wonderful collections it houses are protected but the conservation project will also give visitors a unique opportunity to get to know Pollok House and the whole estate better.
“Everything from the skill of the original craftsmen to the effort that goes into keeping the house running on a day-to-day basis hundreds of years later is part of that story.
“The thousands of people who love to come to Pollok House will be able to see and learn more about it than ever before through its conservation.”
Pollok House, which was the ancestral home of the Maxwell and Jardine families, was gifted to the city in the 1960s.
The 18th century villa, which attracts around 60,000 visitors a year, is one of Scotland’s finest Edwardian country houses.
Its museum collections include period artworks, books and furniture including pieces original to the house which are of international importance.
There is a large, private collection of Spanish paintings, including works by El Greco, Francisco Goya and Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. There are also paintings by William Blake, as well as glass, silverware, porcelain and antique furniture.
Pollok House is the ancestral home of the Maxwell and Jardine families, located in Pollok Country Park, Glasgow, Scotland.
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