Latest news with #EastDunbartonshire
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The dark history behind this abandoned castle near Glasgow where Lulu was born
Just a 40-minute drive from Glasgow lies the large ruin of Lennox Castle, a former estate built between 1837 and 1841, which later became a maternity hospital and an "infamous" institution for people with learning disabilities. Constructed by David Hamilton for John Lennox Kincaid, the woodland manor replaced the older Kincaid House. It was later purchased by the Glasgow Corporation in 1927 and converted into a hospital. See the dark history behind the 'infamous' Lennox Castle near Glasgow Lennox Castle is located close to Lennoxtown in East Dunbartonshire (Image: Getty Images) However, very quickly, the facilities here became "vastly overcrowded, understaffed and underfunded," according to The Scotsman. The BBC adds that by the 1980s, standards had gotten so bad that a study by the British Medical Journal found residents to be dangerously underweight and malnourished. Alasdair Sim, the hospital's medical director, even said in 1986 that he had "never worked in a worse pit". The infamous hospital at Lennox Castle closed in 2002 (Image: Getty Images) In 2002, the hospital closed down, a move that reflected the changing attitudes around housing people with learning disabilities within the community. Between the 1940s and 1960s, part of the castle was also a maternity hospital and was the birthplace of a number of famous faces. Recommended Reading: Why this 'hidden gem' steakhouse in Glasgow with 'unreal' food is the best See why the oldest pub in Glasgow is an 'incredible' find and an 'absolute gem' Inside the 'picturesque' seaside town that is the cheapest to live in Scotland These include beloved Scottish singer Lulu, who sang hit songs like Bang-a-Bang and Shout, as well as footballer John Brown, who played for teams like Rangers FC. Nowadays, the castle is still a category A listed building despite suffering from a fire in 2008. Part of the grounds was converted into Celtic F.C.'s Lennoxtown Training Centre, with other parts towards the Campsie-side village becoming a long-term residential development.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Boy, 15, and three others dead in incidents on hottest day
A 15-year-old boy and three other people have died in separate police call-outs on Scotland's hottest day in two years. A rescue operation was launched for the boy on the River Kelvin in Glasgow at about 18:40 on Saturday. His body was recovered at 23:30. Earlier a 63-year-old woman died in a fall near Campsie Glen waterfall in East Dunbartonshire. The body of a 39-year-old man was also found in the River Tyne at Haddington in East Lothian. At around 22:30 on Saturday a 50-year-old man was pulled from the water at Loch Lomond. Police said he died in hospital on Sunday. Police Scotland said none of the deaths were being treated as suspicious. People had flocked to beauty spots around the country as Scotland saw soaring temperatures on Saturday. Forecasters said it was the hottest day since June 2023, with the Met Office recording the heat at 32.2C at Aviemore in the Highlands. A temperature of 32C has only been recorded on six previous occasions in Scotland since 1961. The death of the 15-year-old boy on the River Kelvin, near Maryhill Road, is understood to be accidental. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Emergency services attended and around 23:30 the body of a male was recovered from the water." At Campsie Glen, two fire engines and water rescue teams were sent to the incident with the 63-year-old woman at 12:35. The spokesperson added: "Emergency services attended and the woman died at the scene. Her family is aware." At Haddington, police received a report that a 39-year-old man's body had been found in the River Tyne. The circumstances of the incident are not yet known. Police Scotland said inquiries were ongoing and a report would be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. At Loch Lomond police, ambulance and water rescue teams were called to the incident at a beach near Ardvorlich at Loch Lomond. The 50-year-old man was taken to Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley where he died on Sunday. Meanwhile, emergency services were also called to help a walker suffering from heat exhaustion in Dumfries and Galloway. Galloway Mountain Rescue assisted the Scottish Ambulance Service near the Southern Upland Way footpath, north of St John's Town of Dalry, at about 17:30. A team spokesperson said: "Seven team members deployed with vehicles from Castle Douglas and set up a rapid evacuation back to the roadside. "We wish the casualty a speedy recovery." The incidents come during a run of hot sunny days that were officially classed as a heatwave on Friday. Met Office criteria states that the temperature must reach 25C for three consecutive days in the same area to qualify. Police urged people to take care outdoors while NHS Scotland advised people to stay safe by ensuring they drink water and are protected from the sun. It comes as several large outdoor events took place around the country including the Tiree Music Festival, the Island Games in Orkney and TRNSMT in Glasgow. Sunday brought slightly cooler weather before more unsettled conditions move in at the start of next week. Temperature hits 32C on Scotland's hottest day in two years Heat health advice as temperatures set to soar
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Tragedy at Scottish beauty spot: Woman, 63, dies in front of 'distraught' crowd
A 63-year-old woman died in front of distraught onlookers yesterday at a Scots beauty spot. Emergency services raced to the Campsie Glen Waterfall Car Park, an area popular with swimmers and paddlers in the hills above Glasgow, after reports of a woman falling. The multi-agency response was attended by police, fire and ambulance crews, who sealed off the car park to attend to the incident. According to eyewitnesses, paramedics tried to resuscitate the woman in front of other day trippers who had arrived at the spot on the hottest day of the year. Last night it was unclear whether her death was related to the high temperatures in the area. One onlooker said: 'There was a lot of people crying at the scene. 'The police and ambulance service are there. 'I think a specialist climbing unit had also been there earlier.' Shocked visitors could be seen gathered near the falls, which are accessed via a footpath which rises around 200m. One witness said: 'There were at least seven police cars and officers were going around taking statements from people. They all looked distraught.' The car park is located just a few minutes from the town of Lennoxtown, in East Dunbartonshire, and operated by Forestry and Land Scotland. Recognising its attraction to visitors, the government agency website states: 'From the pretty village of Clachan of Campsie, with its historic church, wind along grassy slopes into the Campsie Glen. 'Wander along the path beside the Kirk Burn, or stop for a feed at one of the many picturesque picnic spots beneath the trees. 'For a more energetic outing, follow the path behind Clachan of Campsie that forks steeply uphill from the burn to reach a car park on the B822 with lovely views into the glen. 'From here you can choose a path around the hill to see waterfalls along the burn below or carry on climbing along a steep, rough trail to reach the ridge of the Campsie Fells above.' A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Around 12.35pm on Saturday, 12 July, 2025, police received a report a 63-year-old woman had fallen near Campsie Glen Waterfall Car Park. 'Emergency services attended and the woman died at the scene. Her family is aware and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances. 'Emergency services remain in attendance.' On the other side of the country, in East Lothian, a man's body was recovered from the River Tyne near Haddington just before noon. A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Around 11.45am on Saturday, 12 July, 2025, police received a report a man's body had been found in the River Tyne, near Sidegate, Haddington. 'Emergency services are in attendance and enquiries are ongoing.' Again, it was unclear last night whether his death was weather-related.
Glasgow Times
10-07-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Fire-hit Lennoxtown kirk given back under new scheme
Campsie High Kirk, in the heart of Lennoxtown, is set to become a local arts hub after being returned to the community. The move forms part of a flagship case for the new Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS) launched last year by John Logue, the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (KLTR). East Dunbartonshire Provost Gillian Renwick, third from left, joined the KLTR John Logue, fourth from left, at a handover ceremony for Campsie High Kirk (Image: Supplied) The 200-year-old church, one of Scotland's best-known kirks, was officially handed over by the KLTR to East Dunbartonshire Provost Gillian Renwick at a ceremony on Wednesday, July 9. This transfer came after the Friends of Campsie High Kirk successfully applied to acquire the building from the KLTR for a nominal £1 plus the costs of transfer. Read more: Thousands of Jet2 ski seats on sale from Glasgow Airport Mr Logue said: "I am delighted that this once-abandoned kirk can now thrive in the hands of those who cherish it most. "This is a model of regeneration that speaks volumes." He also highlighted the success of the OPTS scheme as a catalyst for change in the drive to empower local communities to revitalise vacant properties. The OPTS offers opportunities for properties fallen to the Crown as ownerless to be brought back into purposeful use for the benefit of local communities. Mr Logue said: "It is hard to believe it has only been 15 months since OPTS was launched. "Already, communities across Scotland are coming to us with ideas for gardens, for housing, for space for communities to gather and grow, and other transformative ideas." He praised the Friends of Campsie High Kirk for their clear, compelling, and visionary application, remarking on their belief in taking responsibility for what is broken and breathing life back into it. He added: 'Lennoxtown is a place full of pride, history, and potential. 'And here, in an area facing significant challenges, the community saw the kirk not as a ruin but as a resource, something to be restored, reimagined, and made meaningful again. 'Working closely with East Dunbartonshire Council and partners, the Friends group demonstrated what's possible when people care deeply and act boldly.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historic Lennoxtown church building set to become community arts centre
A historic church building is set to begin a new chapter as a community arts centre. Campsie High Kirk, a 200-year-old building in Lennoxtown, will be formally handed over to the community in a ceremony on Wednesday, July 9, as part of a major restoration project. The church will be transformed into an arts hub under the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS), launched last year by the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (KLTR). (Image: James Fallan) The building will be formally handed over to East Dunbartonshire Provost Gillian Renwick during the ceremony. John Logue, the KLTR, said: "The Friends of Campsie High Kirk presented a really compelling case for not only rescuing this magnificent building from further decline but also providing a community arts hub with the potential to give a huge economic and cultural boost to the Lennoxtown area. Read more: Retired firefighter from Glasgow awarded British Empire Medal for 60 years of service "We are delighted to see the opportunities provided by the OPTS used in this way and look forward to watching the transformation." The Friends of Campsie High Kirk secured ownership for £1 plus transfer costs. (Image: James Fallan) Craig Brooks, chair of the group, said: "It's not just about saving a building. "It's about something much bigger. "It's about communities being empowered by those in a position to give them the tools to make it happen. "That applies from government right down to communities like ours." The OPTS allows community groups and local authorities to apply for ownerless properties if they can show public benefit and community support. Since its launch, the scheme has helped deliver green spaces, affordable housing, and a community hub. Campsie High Kirk was designed in the early 19th century by Glaswegian architect David Hamilton.
