Former Shambellie House costume museum campaign reaches milestone

Plans to secure a sustainable future for the former Scottish National Museum of Costume have reached a milestone.

The Shambellie House Trust has been created to take forward the project to bring the site back into permanent use.

The historic New Abbey property has lain vacant since 2013 when the museum was shut in a cost-cutting exercise.

A study commissioned by the Scottish government suggested using the building for holiday accommodation or as a venue for outdoor events and arts and crafts.

It is currently hosting two photographic exhibitions, and this weekend will also feature the work of five local artists.

Gordon Mann, who has been spearheading the Shambellie campaign, said they had been "working quietly in the background" to get the trust established and secure charitable status.

"That has enabled us now to apply for grants to cover our initial running costs," he said.

"That really enables us to move on to the next stage which is the business planning and looking at what kind of uses can the house actually accommodate properly to create that sustainable future that we want."