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18 January 2024

Cumbernauld Cottage Theatre to become listed building

Three historic workers' cottages which found a new life as a community theatre have been given listed status.

The exterior of a long, one-storey whitewashed cottage, with a black door and black wooden shutters on the window. A modern sign near the entrance tells us it is Cumbernauld Theatre.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has designated the row of cottages that form part of Cumbernauld Cottage Theatre as a listed building at category C. 

The three cottages first housed estate workers from Cumbernauld House, and they were likely built around the same time as the House in 1731. In 1962, the Cumbernauld Theatre Group converted the cottages into a community theatre for drama, music, poetry, lectures, and art exhibitions, and it opened to the public as the Cottage Theatre in 1963. 

Cumbernauld Theatre quickly became a treasured cultural cornerstone in Cumbernauld’s development as a New Town, and the group and theatre building expanded throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s.  

Since the turn of the century, the theatre has supported productions by professional theatres while continuing to uphold a programme of community projects and events for local groups. 

Dara Parsons, Head of Designations at Historic Environment Scotland, said: 

Cumbernauld Theatre’s cottage row is a welcome addition to the list of Scotland’s important buildings. 

"These cottages are of interest as early estate cottages, but especially for the role they played in the development of Cumbernauld, and the cultural life that was seen as essential for the residents of the new town. We had strong support for the listing during our consultation and are grateful for all those who provided us with information about the significance of the theatre.  

"We always welcome proposals for new designations, especially when they help us improve the diversity of our records, as in this case."

About Listed Buildings  

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest. Listing is intended to ensure that what is special about a structure is taken into account in decisions about its future. 

How HES makes decisions about listing is set out in the Designations Policy and Selection Guidance

For more information, visit our pages on Listed Buildings

About Historic Environment Scotland (HES) 

  • We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
  • Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
  • View our press pack and keep up to date by registering to receive our media releases. Already registered? You can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link, included in every email.

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For further information, please contact:

Robin Kepple
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot

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