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Kilwinning Abbey Tower restoration plans
Restoration of Kilwinning Abbey Tower Secures Nearly £200,000 in Funding
North Ayrshire Council has confirmed plans to allocate close to £200,000 for the restoration of Kilwinning Abbey Tower, a prominent historic landmark in the region.
The funding, derived from Crown Estate Scotland’s revenue, will support vital repairs and enhancements to preserve the tower’s heritage and improve the visitor experience.
Restoration work is set to commence in the coming weeks, focusing on repairs to prevent water damage, reinstating lost architectural features, and other essential improvements. Built in 1816 on the site of a medieval tower, Kilwinning Abbey Tower still houses its original clock mechanism, adding to its historic significance.
The council has been granted £197,255 for the 2024/25 financial year, with additional funding drawn from internal budgets, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme. These combined resources aim to maximise investment, address potential contingencies, and ensure the successful completion of the restoration project.
Councillor Tony Gurney, cabinet member for green environment and economy, shared his enthusiasm for the project, stating:
“We are delighted to move forward with preserving this iconic building, which holds immense cultural and historic significance for Kilwinning and North Ayrshire as a whole. The community has identified enhancing the Abbey Tower as a priority, and these works will ensure it remains a prominent and cherished landmark for future generations.”
The restoration project reflects priorities identified during a community consultation in 2019 and in the Kilwinning Place Framework prepared after the COVID-19 pandemic. The tower is also home to a heritage centre run by volunteers from Kilwinning Heritage, who provide guided tours up its 143 spiral steps, offering visitors breathtaking views of the Ayrshire coastline.
This investment underscores North Ayrshire’s commitment to preserving its historical assets while fostering community engagement and tourism opportunities. As work begins, Kilwinning Abbey Tower is poised to remain a symbol of pride for the local area.
