14-07-2025
Young trainees bringing new life to historic Carmunnock hall
Castlemilk Hall in Carmunnock, Glasgow's last remaining village, was gifted to the community in 1893 and is now undergoing major repairs and restoration.
The restoration offers valuable experience for young trainees in traditional building skills.
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One trainee involved in the project is apprentice Demi Bushi, who left a job in IT two years ago in a bid to find a more "hands-on" job.
Demi was looking for something that allowed her to work with materials, wasn't office-based, and called for a range of practical skills.
Now an apprentice in traditional window manufacturing, she thoroughly enjoys developing her skills in a range of tasks including: making box windows, glazing, puttying, and supporting some installations on site.
She said the work she is doing gives her "a great reason to get up in the morning."
The restoration will also see an apprentice stonemason, Archie McLaren, demonstrate the materials and techniques being used to restore sandstone.
On Wednesday 16 July at 2pm, Archie, an apprentice with McLaren Stone, will be demonstrating restoration techniques using Giffnock sandstone - a fine, buff-coloured stone.
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The project is funded by a major grant from Glasgow City Heritage Trust (GCHT), as well as contributions from Patersons Quarries Ltd, LT Funding Ltd, Levenseat Trust Ltd, and the SUEZ Communities Fund through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.
Additional support has come from Stafford Trust, Engie, and funds raised by the local community.
GCHT's support helps people in Glasgow understand and preserve the historic built environment.
The Scottish Landfill Communities Fund allows landfill operators to direct part of their landfill tax liability towards community and environmental projects near landfill sites.
