Fears over people trying to enter construction site
A SAFETY warning has been issued after reports of young vandals targeting a historic building in New Cumnock over the weekend.
The former Castle Hotel, which was once frequented by Robert Burns, is currently undergoing renovations after the New Cumnock Development Trust (NCDT) purchased the dilapidated building.
Funding from a number of outside bodies, including the Scottish Government and East Ayrshire Council, allowed the group to take on ownership of the building, with a view to converting the building into a communityowned facility offering budget accommodation for visitors to the area.
The work is being carried out as part of a community drive to improve the appearance and appeal of New Cumnock.
While work at the property is still ongoing, it remains a dangerous area and is off limits to members of the public.
NCDT has issued a warning relating to people allegedly attempting to enter the premises and causing damage.
A warning from the group said: “Can we please ask our community to reinforce to children and young people that the former Castle Hotel site is still very much under construction and a dangerous
site.
“We have had reports of young people attempting to enter the building over the weekend and causing damage to the property.
“Any reports of trespassing and or vandalism will be passed to Police Scotland for further investigation.”
The Trust had a bid to buy the building accepted in early 2019, though more than a decade before that, in October 2008, East Ayrshire Council officials served an enforcement notice on the then-owners of the property as part of efforts to smarten up New Cumnock.
The southern gable end of the building was formerly home to a colourful Burns mural, created by the nowdefunct
New Cumnock Environmental Regeneration Volunteers.
But this was painted over after the property fell into a state of increasing disrepair.
According to the New Cumnock Burns Club, the hotel was visited by Burns on his journeys between Mauchline and Ellisland in the 1780s, when it was kept by a Mrs Moore and was known as the Castle Inn.
Records uncovered by local historian Robert Guthrie state that it was later operated by William McKnight, Alexander Dalziel, John Bryan and then, from the 1860s, by the Young family, who also ran nearby shops, houses and the New Cumnock Picture House.