New home for Creative Industries

Aug 15 2008

Alottery-FUNDED renovation of a former stately home is set to become the first custom-built centre for the Creative Industries in West Lothian.

Blackburn House, originally built in 1772, represents the first bespoke development for the creative sector in the central belt outside of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Funding for the project was provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which contributed £1,995,000 - the largest Scottish award to date - as well as £746,000 of Euro funding, £47,000 from West Lothian Council and £575,000 from Historic Scotland.

The long-term operation of the Centre for Creative Industries will be managed by Art house UK, which established a similar creative industries and arts-based facility in the centre of Glasgow.

Blackburn House, located near Livingston, provides easy access to both Edinburgh and Glasgow and includes a central mansion house a range of outbuildings, including a doocot. In total, the development will provide more that 8,000 sq ft of space.