Plans for Leith Hall improvements

A PLANNING application has been submitted by Leith Hall to make improvements in the interior.

The plans include alterations to allow the re-opening of doors to the south wing stairwell and the first first floor and alterations to re-open the window from the tea room on the ground floor.

As Scotland’s largest conservation charity, The National Trust for Scotland’s new 10 year strategy ‘Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone’ highlights the importance they place on sensitive building conservation and improving how visitors experience the precious shared heritage.

Annie Robertson, NTS Regional Chartered Buildings Surveyor, explains: "The proposed building work will re-instate former openings to improve the tea room layout, with no structural change or damage to historic materials or finishes, and continues improvements at Leith Hall."

As Beatrice Fettes-Leagas, NTS Visitor Services Supervisor at Leith Hall, discusses further: "We also recently completed the re-creation of the Estate Office in the Inner Hall of the house, using family archive photographs from the time of the last Laird and Lady of Leith Hall, Charles and Henrietta Leith-Hay, and repatriating precious collection items. We also uncovered hidden ornate wooden columns and restored the original timber floorboards during the works."

"Following the popularity of this restoration with our visitors, we hope to re-introduce the Oval Room to tours and are exploring possible improvements to the military museum experience. In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming visitors again when Leith Hall re-opens in the spring and you can find details at nts.org.uk of places with winter opening hours, such as Castle Fraser and Crathes Castle."

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