Supporting Statement
The architect has worked closely with his client, West Lothian Council, as...
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The architect has worked closely with his client, West Lothian Council, as well as consulting with local groups such as the Linlithgow Civic Trust. The halls had suffered from a lack of investment over many decades presenting major problems of fabric deterioration, inadequate fire escapes resulting in reduced capacity for events, substandard access for disabled and generally the halls presented a dowdy and neglected air. These have been transformed through creative and innovative solutions to inherent problems delivered by Malcolm Fraser and his team.
The remodelled facility gives the royal burgh many excellent spaces. The key has been the successful opening up of the heart of the building with an airy, light-filled stair that allows all elements to connect to each other within the original listed structure.
The modernised entrance welcomes visitors to the building with a small reception area, exhibition area and bookstall, all opening into a café. The doors in this bright, modern space open out directly onto the historic rose garden.
The original North Hall, now known as the Provost Lawrie Hall, has been transformed, with bar and kitchen facilities, augmented sympathetically by three new French windows that open onto a new terrace overlooking the historic townscape around and the private outdoor garden space below. The Bailie Hardie, or South Hall, has been completely restored with fireplaces at each end featuring specially commissioned paintings of Linlithgow by Michael McVeigh and decorative tiles from the Douglas Watson Studios. An excellent art gallery has been created from a series of under-utilised rooms on the middle floor to the front of the halls. Already this gallery has featured a variety of first class exhibitions, some of local interest.