Cumbernauld House, North Lanarkshire
A very different landscape also visited last November were the grounds of Cumbernauld House. The house was designed in 1731 by William Adam (1689–1748), for the 6th Earl of Wigtown, Lord Fleming of Cumbernauld. The house is Category A-Listed and in the late 20th century used as offices by Cumbernauld Development Corporation and latterly, North Lanarkshire Council who now hope to sell the property to be developed as a hotel.
Although the landscape to the north west of the house has been disturbed over the years by 19th century mining activities and a 20th century golf course layout, an initial survey suggests that areas to the south and east contain elements relating to much earlier landscapes. These include veteran Chestnut and Beech trees which may be part of the layout depicted on Roy’s Military Survey c1750, and an embankment which may form part of the very early enclosure surrounding the former Cumbernauld Castle built in the 14th century, which is illustrated on Timothy Pont’s late 16th century map (Pont 32: East Central Lowlands). Clearly this is a very sensitive garden area, which also includes the ruins of the former castle, and must be investigated further before any development of the house is allowed.
Currently alternative uses for Cumbernauld House are being suggested by the local community, keen to allow public access to both house and grounds. These include a museum devoted to the Adam family of architects, or a gallery commemorating the work of Clementina Elphinstone-Fleming (1822–65) a descendant of the 6th Earl of Wigtown. Clementina, later Lady Hawardan, was a prominent early Victorian Scottish photographer.
Tags: Cumbernauld House |
Category: Conservation |
3 Comments » 
Iam wondering why this old building hasnt been refurbished iam down the glen on a daily basis and i have big ideas for this house if i got the finance to restore it and turn it in to a business venture i am wanting a petition to do this and anybody that helps and has the best interest for this old house its the one bit of history cumbernauld has and should be proud of
There is a petition now around this house -
http://www.petitiononline.com/cnauld01/petition.html
having visited cumbernauld house with my mother today,im amazed that someone hasnt seized the opportunity to purchase this stunning building and grounds,nursing home ,or hotel eing just two options.my mother,84yrs,and born and raised in cumbernauld village till she got married,can recall walking up the drive,the nice,pleasant captain burns who owned it,and his daughter.she remembers how large and grand it was,and playing in it with the evacuees from clydebank.would myself loveto see it inside,how sad to see a magnificant pease of arcitecture stand decaying and unloved.how i wish i could afford to buy and restore it.