Major visitor experience improvement project at Gunsgreen
Based on a feasibility study carried out in late 2023, Trustees have been pursuing a major project to improve the visitor experience in the Merchant’s House. Thanks to generous support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, trustees have appointed a professional fundraiser to help raise the necessary money to turn the feasibility study into a reality. Plans are well advanced to submit a Development Funding application to the National Lotter Heritage fund in May to carry out improvements to the heritage centre part of the building with a strong focus on introducing disabled access to all floors as part of the plans.
The vision
The Trust has set out an ambitious strategy to make Gunsgreen House fit for the future as a unique community asset and tourist attraction and managed as part of a viable charitable business. The strategic plan involves preparing and delivering a substantial programme of building works; with the necessary preparations and fundraising carried out successively over three distinct stages.
In the short term (2026) the focus is on carrying out essential repairs; before going on to refine architectural plans, prepare specifications for the heritage centre, and develop a programme of activities that help build community engagement.
The medium term (2026 to 2029) will be devoted to a capital project designed to create a new heritage centre at cellar, basement and ground floor levels, adding café and retail space within the basement, and introducing a small reception area with access to lift and stairs connecting these three floors. A plan to re-configure accommodation on the two upper floors would ideally be carried out at the same time, providing additional funding can be sourced for this specific purpose.
Longer term ambitions include further progress towards net zero, imaginative development of the landscape around Gunsgreen House and Nisbet’s Tower, and an expanded programme of activities with the aim of attracting many new visitors and generating more local partnerships and projects.
The future
New and improved facilities, promoted with well targeted and effective marketing, and managed by a larger staff team supported by a versatile group of volunteers, will enable Gunsgreen House to have a major impact on the economic and social wellbeing of Eyemouth and its environs, and to make a significant contribution to tourism in the south of Scotland. Active community engagement and increased visitor numbers, with additional income from heritage centre, hospitality and merchandise, will ensure that Gunsgreen becomes a dynamic and sustainable business for years to come