Architects

An imposing grade-B listed mansion in Bridge of Allan’s conservation area could be set for a makeover.

Plans have been lodged with Stirling Council for internal alterations to Uplands in Abercromby Drive, which was built by the celebrated Glasgow architect William Leiper in 1907.

Mrs L Gibbons is proposing to convert the west wing of the ground floor into a utility room, housekeeper’s accommodation and open plan kitchen. The original public rooms on this level would be left untouched.

On the first floor it is planned to reconfigure the layout from six individual bedrooms to four bedroom suites, three with en suite bathrooms.

Self-contained apartments are planned for the second floor.

A design brief by Bobby Halliday architects submitted with the plans states: “Our client proposes to make internal alterations to make the house more conducive to a modern lifestyle and form two apartaments on the second floor and housekeeper’s accommodation on the ground floor.”

A partition wall on the second floor, not an original feature, which separates the billiards room and an existing bedroom would be removed.

The brief also points out that from the second floor of the mansion there are “fantastic” views across Bridge of Allan towards Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument.

According to Historic Environment Scotland the house, designed in the English traditional manner, was B listed in 1977. Uplands, which stands in an elevated position off Abercromby Drive, was built for the Pullar family and became a domestic science school during WW2 before returning to private ownership.

Other buildings by William Leiper (1839-1916), who built in the arts and crafts movement and gothic revival styles, include Auchenbothie House in Kilmacolm (1898), Dowanhill Church in the west end of Glasgow (1865-6) and the Templeton carpet factory by Glasgow Green (18881892), which was modelled on the Doge’s Palace in Venice.

Leiper is also noted for his domestic architecture in the Helensburgh area.

Alterations to make the house more conducive to a modern lifestyle