Parliament plea to keep Ayr's Seafield House alive

Mar 1 2013 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post

A campaign to save one of Ayrshire’s historic buildings has won praise in parliament.

And politicians have backed calls to preserve Seafield House, the former home of Sir William Arrol.

A debate was held in Holyrood on the 100th anniversary of the civil engineer’s death.

Now MSPs are calling on the future of the B-Listed building to be secured.

South of Scotland MSP, Chic Brodie, raised the motion and urged support for campaign group Friends of Seafield House.

The SNP man said: “Seafield House is a bridge with the success of our country’s past.

“Sir William Arrol was one of Scotland’s most successful engineers and, at a time when we’re building the third version of the Forth Bridge, it’s worth remembering that he built the first.”

Set in 50 acres of land, Seafield House was home to Sir William as he built a string of the world’s important bridges and buildings and it became a hospital in 1921.

His home – owned by NHS Ayrshire and Arran – had been earmarked for demolition by the Trust, but the application was withdrawn in the face of strong opposition.

And support for its preservation was easy to find at Holyrood.

Graham Pearson, Labour’s South of Scotland MSP, said: “There is no doubt that Sir William Arrol was a giant of the 19th century.

“I am sure he would turn in his grave at the prospect of his beloved home being considered for demolition.

“The local community needs and deserves our support in ensuring that the house has a future.”