PLANS have been revealed for Geilston House in Cardross to be used as holiday letting accommodation and public space.
The unoccupied building is the subject of a planning permission application to Argyll and Bute Council by the National Trust for Scotland.
It was reported in April that it was hoped to start work on the £2.5million project next year, with Loader Monteith Architects having conducted a feasibility study since April 2023.
The council’s planning officers are expected to rule on the application by early 2026, with the public now able to view plans and submit feedback.
A supporting statement by the architects said: “The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) have an extensive portfolio of holiday rental accommodation all over the country, ranging from large country manors to small seaside cottages.
“The holiday accommodation in each of these places helps to fund the ongoing conservation work of the properties while also providing access to members of the public.
“Geilston House and Gardens are an ideal location for a holiday let, with its picturesque setting and beautiful grounds and its proximity to the Central Belt. Some examples of other NTS properties which are of a similar typology and scale are South Mains Cottage and North Wing, both of which are in Aberdeenshire.
“The occupation and development of these precedent rental properties are sympathetic to the character of the building and provide opportunity for members of the public to enjoy the quite grandeur of NTS properties.
“It is within this mould that the NTS lettable property at Geilston will provide accommodation for public let.”
The statement added: “The comprehensive efforts of the design team during RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) stage 3 have laid the groundwork for the successful restoration of Geilston House.
“Loader Monteith Architects’ work addresses the historical significance of the building and outlines a planning-level design intent that aligns with the National Trust for Scotland’s vision.
“By prioritising a ‘fabric first’ approach, the project aims to halt further degradation and reintegrate the house into public and practical use, while carefully balancing heritage considerations, statutory regulations, programme requirements for holiday lets and public access, and continued garden staff access to ancillary buildings.
“Ultimately, all decisions have been made with the primary objective of securing the long-term future of Geilston House and Gardens as a vital heritage and public asset, transforming the house into lettable accommodation, and incorporating publicly usable spaces for the local community, thereby addressing the challenges posed by its previous redundancy and abundant accommodation.”
To view the plans and submit feedback, visit the council’s planning portal at argyll-bute.gov.uk and use the reference number 25/01658/PP.
