Adopt a red phone box in Lochaber for just £1

A book swap, a cake booth, local information point or a safe place to keep a community defibrillator – iconic red phone boxes have their uses for 21st century living.

BT has nearly 600 of the phone boxes across Scotland up for adoption by communities for just £1.

All adoption requests will be considered, says BT, unless they need to keep a box for another use.

Since 2008, 482 phone boxes across the country have been taken on by communities through BT’s Adopt a Kiosk programme. Redundant phone boxes, once a lifeline of communication before the arrival of mobile phones, have been transformed into everything from defibrillator units and mini history museums to art galleries and book exchanges.

Alan Lees, BT Enterprise unit director for Scotland, said: ‘With most people now using mobile phones, it’s led to a huge drop in the number of calls made from payphones. At the same time, mobile coverage

Baked goodies and maps are sold from the phone box on Lismore.

has improved significantly in recent years due to investment in masts, particularly in rural areas.

‘We’re currently rationalising our payphone estate to make it fit for the future and the Adopt a Kiosk scheme makes it possible for communities across Scotland to retain their phone box, with a refreshed purpose.

‘Thousands of communities have already come up with a fantastic array of ideas to reuse their beloved phone box. Applying is quick and easy and we’re always happy to speak to communities about adopting our phone boxes.’