AN historic inn once favoured by Scotland’s national bard has been granted a new lease of life thanks to a community-led effort in Dumfries and Galloway.
The Whigham Inn in Sanquhar was a cherished stop for Robert Burns on his travels through the south of Scotland, so much so that it got its own verse, titled “At Whigham’s Inn. Sanquhar”.
The property, situated on Sanquhar’s High Street, has fallen into disrepair after being left largely derelict for 40 years.
However, locals are now determined to revive the historic pub whilst commemorating the poet who so enjoyed it.
Ronnie Bradford, a community development officer for the Sanquhar Enterprise Company (SEC) recently bought the property for £30,000, with restorations expected to cost up to £3 million.
A consultation between the community of Sanquhar and the SEC highlighted the inn as a key potential project, thanks to its central location and historical significance. The SEC considered taking over the building four years ago, but a high asking price meant the project was postponed for the foreseeable.
In March this year however, Bradford and his team were in luck when the price dropped just enough, and they were able to gather the funds alongside the Nithsdale Community Trust.
Bradford said that he hopes to begin by improving the exterior before drawing up plans to bring it back into use, likely as a form of affordable housing. He also highlighted that all developments would recognise the importance of the building.
“We will make sure that we pay homage to the fact that the building has this historic and cultural significance,” he told the BBC.
“We’ve got a problem with de-population, we’ve got a problem with businesses failing. So we needed to do something to try and redress that balance and we see Whigham’s Inn as being a potential major kick-starter to revitalising that,” he added.
