A rural men’s shed based in Scotland’s highest village is soon to have a unique new home – after relocating a former ski hut five miles from its previous hillside perch.
Members of Lowther men’s shed have been working for the past 18 months on the ambitious project to move the building from its original location in the Lowther Hills to the centre of Leadhills where it will become a community base.
It has now been moved from its remote location and with foundations in place at its new position, work will get underway next month on installing it, ensuring the relocated building is wind and watertight and carrying out a full internal refurbishment.
The latest phase of the ambitious £157,000 project is being supported with a grant from the renewable energy fund (REF) administered by South Lanarkshire Council.
Lowther men’s shed has been awarded more than £94,000 from funds paid in by Andershaw wind farm, which will be used for building renovations including a new kitchen, and installing solar panels and a heating system.
It was one of three REF grants agreed at the latest meeting of South Lanarkshire’s community and enterprise resources committee – with funding of up to £200,000 also agreed for Woolfords, Auchengray and Tarbrax Improvement Foundation (WATIF) who aim to establish a community cafe.
Men’s shed chair Bob Lowdon told how the relocated shed building will become “a fantastic community asset” in the centre of Leadhills for not just the group’s 70 members but also by other local organisations.
He said: “The shed members and residents of the Lowther Hills are excited by this project, especially now the foundations are in ready for the erection before winter begins.
“It’s taken more than 18 months of hard work, especially by our secretary, and the members are grateful for the support of grant funders and Seniors Together; without their help and support, the project could not have reached this stage.”
Councillors on South Lanarkshire’s community and enterprise committee were told: “The project has generated a great deal of excitement within the village over the last six months, [and] has been established in response to consultation events and engagement.”
Work is due to be complete by February; and council committee chair Councillor Robert Brown said: “I look forward to seeing the men’s shed when it is completed, and it will be a fantastic asset for the rural community.
“Moving the former ski hut five miles down from the hills was certainly not an easy task – this is an exciting and innovative project. Lowther men’s shed deserve enormous credit for the work they have already put in, and I am delighted that the REF can now support the project further.”
The WATIF project plan is to redevelop the existing Cowbyre at Loanhead Farm into a cafe bistro, with the funding award also covering a two-year manager post “to deliver community and income-generating projects”.
Work to install a heating system, insulation and energy-efficiency measures is now due to get underway, with the building also to be fitted with a commercial kitchen.
Councillors were told the group has a nine-member management committee, six staff, 50 regular volunteers and 348 members, with a report adding: “The project is a proven community asset [and] has been developed to reflect the views of the community it represents.”
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