A MOTION has been raised in the Scottish Parliament celebrating Abbot House in Dunfermline being brought back to life following a long period of closure.
The landmark building, which is Grade A listed and affectionately known as 'the pink hoose', is more than 500 years old and is situated in the city's heritage quarter.
Abbot House is cherished for its remarkable historical features like a wall fresco dating from the 1500s, a 14th-century tracery window and a large ceiling mural created by celebrated Scottish artist and writer, Alasdair Gray.
It closed in August 2015 but was relaunched under new management and a new board in October 2022, after a £600,000 renovation.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley lodged the motion and said: “Abbot House is a wonderful visitor attraction and the regeneration work adds to the ever-growing cultural vibrancy of our city.
"Dunfermline boasts a rich and storied past, with many excellent things to see and do in and around the heritage quarter.
“The pink hoose currently offers a beautiful gift shop and book shop championing local artisans and writers as well as an independent coffee shop, creative spaces, and event hire."
The re-opening of Abbot House has been done in stages and the renovation programme is due for completion in 2025.
This will be done once funding has been secured to include a free visitor experience, with a focus on inclusive and immersive learning experiences, including a local history group of volunteers engaged to bring the Abbot House story to life.
This will include the medieval history of Dunfermline and the people who lived there.
The MSP added: “I look forward to seeing the next phase of the renovation, which will no doubt increase visitor numbers to Dunfermline even more and I would want to pay tribute to the board and volunteers who have put in much time, energy and hard work to turn this valuable asset into a viable asset for the city.
"This work demonstrates the importance of local people and local groups to ensuring a vibrant city centre that people will want to visit and spend time in.
“We are lucky to have such a rich variety of culture and heritage on our doorstep, and I would encourage everyone to pay a visit, especially if you’ve not been recently, to see for yourself the great changes that have been made.”
The motion recognises the efforts made by the Abbot House charitable organisation to provide an enjoyable spot for locals and tourists, while also safeguarding the building for future generations.
The organisation does this through a self-sufficient financial model that combines "respecting the old, embracing the new".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here