Campsie High Kirk, which is at the heart of Lennoxtown’s community, is to be transformed into a community arts hub after the Friends of Campsie High Kirk successfully applied to acquire the building from the KLTR for the nominal sum of £1 plus the costs of transfer.

Mr Robertson and KLTR officials viewed the imposing Grade A-listed building, designed by renowned Scottish architect David Hamilton, which was gutted by fire in 1984.

They heard from the Friends of Campsie High Kirk about their vision for the property, which is similar to that of Liverpool’s Bombed Out Church. Architects accompanied the group and supplied practical details as to how the ruined Kirk will return to the centre of Lennoxtown life.

Mr Robertson highlighted the possibilities of the KLTR’s Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS).

He said: “The transformation of Campsie High Kirk into a vibrant community arts hub is a shining example of how Scotland’s heritage can be repurposed to benefit local communities.

“Through the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme, opportunities to breathe new life into historic buildings are being unlocked while delivering a real cultural and economic impact.

“The vision and dedication of the Friends of Campsie High Kirk demonstrate what can be achieved when communities pull together to shape their own futures. I look forward to seeing this project come to life and becoming a valued part of Lennoxtown’s cultural landscape.”

The OPTS provides opportunities for properties which have fallen to the Crown as ownerless to be brought back into purposeful use for the benefit of local communities.

Bobby Sandeman, chief executive of the KLTR, said: “The Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme began as a simple idea: that land and buildings without an owner don’t have to mean places without a future. That with the right support, these neglected sites could be handed back to communities with energy, vision, and purpose.

“But turning an idea into something that works—something that delivers—takes more than a good intention. It takes good policy, persistence—and, above all, partnership.

“It takes people who are ready to act when opportunity appears in their line of sight.

“That’s exactly what OPTS was designed to do: to show what happens when the system empowers people to fix what they see in front of them.

“This Kirk stood silent for decades. And yet today, because of your work, your creativity, and your commitment, it stands at the beginning of a new chapter. The idea behind OPTS has found its moment—and here it’s being delivered in real time

“We are delighted to see the opportunities provided by the OPTS used in this way and look forward to watching the transformation.”

Craig Brooks, chair of the Friends of Campsie High Kirk, commented: “It’s not just about saving a building, it’s about something much bigger. It’s about communities being empowered by those in a position to give them the tools to make it happen. That applies from government right down to communities like ours.”