#polmont

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Avondale House circa 1911 and 1970 and 2021. 

[misterft]

John Muir Way Part 6

Me and her are serial walkers. We’re currently 120km into the John Muir Way - a long distance trail which starts in Dunbar - birthplace of John Muir - and winds its way across Scotland’s central belt to Helensburgh - where a 10 year old John Muir left for America. (And Helensburgh is also where I lived for the first 7 years of my life) We kick started our 2017 campaign of trudging around the country with a 10 mile walk from Linlithgow to Falkirk early in the year - to try and shake of the torpor the festive season brings. 82 km left to do; I can’t wait to revisit Hill House on our last day

[scotianostra]

Avondale House.

More pics from this derelict house near Polmont that started life back in the 17th century.

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More pics of the stables/gatehouse at Avondale House near Polmont

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Avondale House.

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Lathallan House.

My 300,000 step challenge destination today.

Lathallan House was a once opulent home, originally constructed in 1826 in the Tudor style, with touches of Scottish Baronial. 

Sadly, it has been neglected for a number of years, culminating in a  fire. However, the building itself is still impressive, despite the sad state in which it currently sits.

At Lathallan, Henry Salvesen built, in his workshop, Scotland’s first car. It was steam powered. A lifelong friend of Salvesen called him “the pioneer and genius”. But nobody today seems to recall this.

[scotianostra]

Avondale House Stables.

As you can see the compound is in a right state. I think the low lying buildings will have housed staff from the house and stables. Again you can see, if there has been work done here it is negligible.

  It has got style though, I love the castellated walls, and the archways, it would have been very impressive in it's day.

Here is the information Buildings at Risk web page posted, it covers the house, stables and the land:

Manchester-based Peel Estates apply for a 15 year permission to extract sand and gravel from the surrounding grounds and to instal a plant. SCT does not oppose the general principal of mineral extraction, but expresses concern at the effect on the setting of Avondale and therefore proposes that extraction be limited to the south east of the site.

  The house, surrounding land, and mineral extraction rights are subsequently purchased by Goalday Ltd. December 1990: External inspection reveals a caretaker to be in full-time attendance in the house, but the site to be otherwise unused.

  25 June 1992: Press reports note that a Glasgow developer wishes to develop the site into a leisure and golf complex. Meanwhile, Goalday Ltd is considering applying to use those areas dug out during mineral extraction for landfill purposes, rejecting a previous agreement with planners to lower the ground by between 2 and 8 metres and return it to grazing.

  September 1992: An application for landfill use is submitted. SCT expresses concerns at the effect on the setting of the house and its outbuildings.

  December 1993: The Garden History Society objects to an application to extend mineral extraction, and instead stresses the importance of conserving, and if at all possible, reinstating the historic landscape.

  July 1994: The owners confirm that they have undertaken a legal agreement with Falkirk Council to restore all listed buildings as part of further planning consents. Restoration would commence 3 years after consents were obtained.

  October 1994: Planning Permission for the landfill site is refused.

  December 1994: An appeal is lodged against the decision. 20

  January 1995: The Linlithgow Journal and Gazette reports that the Public Inquiry may not sit for another 12 months.

  November 1996: Goalday Ltd is successful in its appeal, and Planning Permission is granted with attached conditions relating to the restoration of Avondale House and its Stables.

  February 1998: SCT understands that negotiations with interested private restorers are now advanced.

  May 2001: Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent are granted for the part restoration of the stables to form a private dwelling.

  June 2006: The owner reports to SCT that plans for conversion of the stables (and main house) are currently on hold until such times as adequate funds are raised for the works.

  December 2007: SCT is contacted by the owner of Avondale House - restoration plans being brought forward to Spring 2008 when funds for the work will become available. The property will be restored as a family home. Owner contact details removed from record as the property is not for sale.

June 2011: External inspection finds the building has deteriorated significantly since our previous visit. Several sections of roof have collapsed or are sagging dangerously. Trees and bushes on and around the building threatens its stability. Local planners report the permissions granted for the restoration of the stables and the associated house have now expired  the owner is understood to have approached a local conservation architect with a view to preparing revised schemes for the restoration of the stables into 2 houses, then allowing for a later restoration of the house.

26 April 2013: BARR is advised that part of the stables has collapsed during recent poor weather.

13 March 2015: External inspection finds continuing decay evident, risk level moved to High.

29 June 2018: Local planners advise the site is now being marketed for sale. A guide price of £200,000 for the house, stables & surrounding land is being sought by appointed marketing agent, Rettie.

11 October 2019: Site visit attempted (25/9/2019) but assessment not possible as the site has now been secured. Falkirk Council Empty Homes Service notes the recent marketing of the Avondale House & Stables for sale has secured a new owner.

[scotianostra]

So on todays mission to visit Avondale House I did not do my homework. The pics I had found online showed it all open, no gates, signs etc.

Now you will see private property signs in lots of places, but as long as you are not forcing entry into buildings or you are up to skulduggery they are only there to try and put folk off. There is no trespassing law as such in Scotland.

So here's what I came across, the first gate was easy enough, the two holes on the left of the gap were perfect for my feet to fit in and hop over it, there's a couple of hundred yard track along to the stable block, and it looked pretty secure. An 8 foot high fence extended out round the place too.

More to come.