Author takes students and staff on grand tour

Author of the Blantyre Project, Paul Veverka, conducted a tour of Crossbasket Castle for the teaching staff and students of South Lanarkshire College recently.

The students were there to learn about sustainable tourism and to see up close a case study of a listed building at risk that was recently renovated.

They had to choose a luxury listed building and discuss some of the listed features of the building and how it could be made more environmentally friendly such as heat pumps and solar panels whilst also protecting the building’s character and charm.

Paul told the Advertiser: “In order to carry out this tour I had to combine both construction knowledge and history to give an hour-and-a -half presentation to the young people, something I was only able to do has I had unprecedented access to the 2011 to 2015 renovation of Crossbasket.

“I enjoyed myself immensely and hope I managed to convey some history and construction input, including promoting Crossbasket in a deserving fashion High Blantyre.”

The tour allowed the 20 students and teachers to see the Castle up close for the first time, with access to bedrooms, the tower, the grand ballroom, ceremony room and new link corridors.

Paul added: “The students appeared interested and asked good questions, which hopefully were answered as best as I could.

“Thank you to teacher, Kirsty Bicket for the invite and also to Emma and Vicki at Crossbasket Castle for their kindness and for being so accommodating in a live hotel and restaurant environment.” for