Dunoon Burgh Halls

Completion Date:

01/01/0001

Commended

Building owner/client:

Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust

Architect or lead designer:

Page/Park

Local Authority Area:

Argyll & Bute

Nominating Body:

Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust

Gallery of Images

Project Description

Dunoon Burgh Hall has been at the heart of the community since it was funded and built in 1874 by the town’s people. The most important civic building in Dunoon, and Argyll’s only theatre when it was built, it acted as the Town Hall and provided spaces for meetings, weddings, dances and games. Falling into disrepair, it closed for 25 years until 2009 when it was rescued, reopened and work began to plan its ultimate restoration into a much-needed arts-led venue and destination.    

The Dunoon Burgh Hall Project loosely defines everyone who has contributed to the rescue of the Burgh Hall. It includes the many volunteers who have picked up the mantle over the past 25 years in many guises; heritage organisations who have fought for the status of the burgh Hall; artists, filmmakers, musicians and designers who contribute to the creative programme; to the staff (none of whom are full time) and work hard to make a success of the project; and to the board members. This is a grassroots project, underpinned in ever way by the local community who have dedicated their time to restoring the building to its former glory as an arts and cultural hub. 

Supporting Statement

Dunoon Burgh Hall is in the heart of a community that has been identified as an area of disadvantage. Dunoon is classed as a small town and is at the heart of a rural community which stretches across the Cowal Peninsula. The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation indicates that the Dunoon area suffers from below average wage levels and high levels of access deprivation, which have a disproportionate effect on young people in their transition to adulthood. In 2014 Dunoon was designated one of Scotland’s most vulnerable towns. 

The Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust was established to bring the building back in to use as an arts-led community venue after more than 20 years of neglect. The hall re-opened in 2009 following several years of campaigning, and set about delivering a creative programme of exhibitions, events and learning activities engaging the local community within our damp, cold building.  

Following major refurbishment of this grade B listed building, Dunoon Burgh Hall re-opened in June 2017 as a community arts hub. The building now provides disabled access, museum standard gallery spaces, a new café extension, workshop spaces and our fabulous main hall / theatre space. The building plays a pivotal role in the town of Dunoon and its position within Argyll.  

The Dunoon Burgh Hall project works across the whole community in inter generational projects; family focused activities; creative youth work; early years; and amateur dramatic and creative groups.  Alongside our exhibition programme we run classes and workshops – screenprinting, photography, filmmaking, drawing and more.   We host artist talks from such high profile names including Barbara Rae CBE RA RSA, Martin Parr and Anthony d’Offay.  We run a range of weekly opportunities for young people and we host dementia friendly film screenings and offer creative spaces to meet for local groups. 

The Project is supported in every way by an incredible array of volunteers who acts as: 

  • Lighting and sound technicians  
  • Researchers.  
  • Tour guides on the heritage of the Burgh Hall.  
  • Trainers to build the volunteer programme.   
  • Designers, engineers, architects and builders who continue to support building maintenance. 
  • Fundraisers, caterers and promoters  
  • Conservationists  
  • Front of house staff  
  • Invigilators for the exhibition programme 

  

The renovation of Dunoon Burgh Hall has been in truth a 25 year community campaign with various groups and individuals in the community taking up the mantle at different points over this period.  Due for demolition by the Council, then threatened with being turned into flats by the housing association, the local community fought to save this important historical and civic building in Dunoon. As a result the community own the space and it has become a hive of activity, a true cultural hub. Since 2009, 46,000 people visited the Hall to experience activities and programmes. Working with partners across Argyll and the West of Scotland in particular, Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust is establishing itself as an important venue for creative events, collaborations and opportunities.