Friends group hits out as Falkirk Council looks to offload former stables and home of Kinneil Museum in Bo'ness

However, the move has been criticised by the Friends of Kinneil who say the CAT is “another name for a cut”.

Instead, they want the council to reconsider and apply for funding to support the museum.

Located within Kinneil Estate in Bo’ness, the building includes two floors of gallery/exhibition space and a toilet. Currently the museum welcomes around 2600 visitors a year and community groups interested in taking on the space may wish to explore ways of further increasing footfall by introducing additional community uses, such as a cafe.

The council has said that if no viable interest is received, the building will close on March 31, 2026.

The building is just the latest property the council is looking to pass into community ownership as part of its Strategic Property Review to save cash.

The council says it continues to work with Historic Environment Scotland and community groups such as Friends of Kinneil to support the wider Kinneil Estate, ensuring it remains protected, promoted and accessible to the public.

Discussions are also underway with key stakeholders about the future operation of Kinneil Museum through a potential CAT or Alternative Delivery Model.

Anyone interested in being part of these conversations is encouraged to contact officials.

The council has a dedicated team to help guide community groups through the process of taking on local buildings, answer any questions and help shape viable proposals.

Additional support is also available from CVS Falkirk, which can assist with early stage planning, business case development, building skills and capacity and identifying potential funding sources.

A £3 million SPR Capital Enabling Fund is also in place to support eligible capital works that improve the condition and energy performance of buildings undergoing CAT.

Paul Kettrick, Falkirk Council’s head of Investment, Assets & Climate, said: "We’ve already worked with a number of community groups to help them take on council-owned buildings, and it would be great to see the Kinneil Museum building transferred through CAT to help secure its long-term future.

“Taking on a B-listed property does come with responsibilities, but support is available to help make the process as smooth and successful as possible.

“If you or your group would like to get involved or explore this opportunity, we’d encourage you to get in touch and start the conversation as soon as possible.”

Eileen Jackson, chair of the Friends of Kinneil, said: “We remain strongly opposed to the council’s proposal to pull out of the museum and to stop providing facilities for visitors to their magnificent Kinneil Estate.

“Ironically this confirmation of their proposal has been issued in international Museum Week, meant to be a celebration of the cultural and social value of museums. This museum also supports the well-being of people and groups using the 200-acre park.

“The council had a 10-year development plan for Kinneil as an historic visitor attraction, running from 2015 to this year, and are now writing the next 10-year Kinneil Masterplan to grow heritage tourism and the local economy further. It is surely an admission of failure of the existing plan, and not coherent for the next plan, to pull out at this crucial juncture from the main visitor reception centre and toilets, especially when significant public sums have just been spent improving the visitor parking and other infrastructure.

“Government funding to support the museum could be available to the council, and they are also developing plans for a tourism levy, the proceeds of which are meant to support local attractions into the future as well.

“People are angry that some of the public assets which they most cherish, which define the area and its world-class heritage, which attract visitors and also help to teach children about many subjects, aren’t being adequately maintained and don’t seem to be getting the investment going elsewhere. They can see that Community Asset Transfer is another name for a cut.

“We're asking for the council's forthcoming draft new Kinneil Masterplan to reconsider this very disappointing proposal, and to ensure, in partnership with Historic Scotland who manage Kinneil House, that Kinneil continues to develop as a strategic historic visitor attraction, and as a shining example of how heritage is celebrated.”

Anyone looking for more information about CAT should email [email protected]