Welcome space plan for library

Alterations are planned for the Undercroft at Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library to create a welcome space.

The grade-a listed building at The Cross, Scotland’s oldest purposebuilt library, is currently undergoing restoration work.

Fundraising for the project, estimated at around £460,000, is continuing.

The carved tablet, or cartouche, on the building’s east facade was removed early November for conservation work.

A planning application for the Undercroft work was submitted by the Leighton Library Trust last month.

It included a design statement by Edinburgh architects Tod and Taylor which points out: ‘The purpose of this project is to create an accessible welcome space for the Leighton Library in the Undercroft of the building and to present interpretive material, whilst allowing the library room itself to remain in its present form.

‘To achieve this it is proposed to open up a bricked up doorway to form a good level access opening into the single vaulted space.

‘The present entrance door will be replaced, there will be a new entrance door in the reopened doorway.

‘The rear door will be replaced. All the masonry features within the building will be retained.

‘The present concrete floor laid on dpc, dating from the 1980s, will be lifted, to allow some insulation to be installed below the new floor.

‘A simple timber dado will also be added, separating displays from low level and retaining walling which, together with ducting below the new floor, will allow services to be distributed throughout the undercroft, and up to the library room without the need to intrude on historic fabric.

‘Improved lighting and simple displays will complete the space.’

The Leighton Library was completed in 1687 following the death of Robert Leighton (1611-84), who was Bishop of Dunblane between 1662 and 1672.