Large mansion house between Upper Largo & Lundin Links in Fife.
Building commenced on this John Adam styled mansion in 1753 for estate landowner James Durham and served as the house for this inportant local family. Aside from this, the house was also a prominant local employer.
During the second World War, it served as HQ for the Independent Polish Parachute Brigade who fought under General Sosabowski in Operation Market-Garden and then it housed the Polish Military Geographical Institute until 1946.
Declared derelict in 1951, the roof was removed (allegedly to avoid paying taxes) and it was left to rot.
In 1980 the owner of the building sought to demolish it as it had lain derelict for 30 but this led to strong opposition from the Scottish Civic Trust and demolition plans are refused. In 1990, the owner submits plans for a housing development in the grounds of the house and neighbouring farm but this again is rejected with Fife Council sanctioning only the resoration of the house itself.
In 1997, reports surface that a Scottish financier is hoping to purchase and restore the house. Restoration is estimated at £1.8 million and could take 5-6 years. however the owner reports that she has decided not to sell or develop the house at present. Deveopment ideas and planning applications/restrictions are argued over for the next ten years with little or no progress being made.
2008 and nothing has happened, the house sits there slowly being taken back by nature....
The original front gates:
How it looked in 1997 (image borrowed from the Civic Trust):
How it looks now:
Front door:
You can see that some of the original wall coverings are still present:
Remains of staircases:
Cellar:
It really must have been a remarkable building in its time and it's a crying shame it's been allowed to fall into such disrepair.
Building commenced on this John Adam styled mansion in 1753 for estate landowner James Durham and served as the house for this inportant local family. Aside from this, the house was also a prominant local employer.
During the second World War, it served as HQ for the Independent Polish Parachute Brigade who fought under General Sosabowski in Operation Market-Garden and then it housed the Polish Military Geographical Institute until 1946.
Declared derelict in 1951, the roof was removed (allegedly to avoid paying taxes) and it was left to rot.
In 1980 the owner of the building sought to demolish it as it had lain derelict for 30 but this led to strong opposition from the Scottish Civic Trust and demolition plans are refused. In 1990, the owner submits plans for a housing development in the grounds of the house and neighbouring farm but this again is rejected with Fife Council sanctioning only the resoration of the house itself.
In 1997, reports surface that a Scottish financier is hoping to purchase and restore the house. Restoration is estimated at £1.8 million and could take 5-6 years. however the owner reports that she has decided not to sell or develop the house at present. Deveopment ideas and planning applications/restrictions are argued over for the next ten years with little or no progress being made.
2008 and nothing has happened, the house sits there slowly being taken back by nature....
The original front gates:
![IMG_0002.jpg IMG_0002.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18223-IMG-0002.jpg)
![IMG_0003.jpg IMG_0003.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18224-IMG-0003.jpg)
How it looked in 1997 (image borrowed from the Civic Trust):
![1287dscnm2.jpg](https://proxy.imagearchive.com/45a/45a047e44d3ace3e1f9dea83609dd880.jpg)
How it looks now:
![IMG_0009.jpg IMG_0009.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18225-IMG-0009.jpg)
Front door:
![IMG_0011.jpg IMG_0011.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18226-IMG-0011.jpg)
![IMG_0010.jpg IMG_0010.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18227-IMG-0010.jpg)
![IMG_0012.jpg IMG_0012.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18228-IMG-0012.jpg)
![IMG_0017.jpg IMG_0017.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18229-IMG-0017.jpg)
You can see that some of the original wall coverings are still present:
![IMG_0023.jpg IMG_0023.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18230-IMG-0023.jpg)
![IMG_0036.jpg IMG_0036.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18231-IMG-0036.jpg)
Remains of staircases:
![IMG_0040.jpg IMG_0040.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18232-IMG-0040.jpg)
![IMG_0039.jpg IMG_0039.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18233-IMG-0039.jpg)
Cellar:
![IMG_0022.jpg IMG_0022.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18234-IMG-0022.jpg)
![IMG_0021.jpg IMG_0021.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18235-IMG-0021.jpg)
It really must have been a remarkable building in its time and it's a crying shame it's been allowed to fall into such disrepair.
![IMG_0032.jpg IMG_0032.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18236-IMG-0032.jpg)
![IMG_0042.jpg IMG_0042.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18237-IMG-0042.jpg)
![IMG_0033.jpg IMG_0033.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/18/18238-IMG-0033.jpg)