PLANS are being set in motion to turn Dumbarton town centre's Glencairn House into a museum.

This seventeenth century Scottish townhouse, dating from 1623, could be converted into a town museum, revitalising the High Street if Elspeth Crocket and a few other volunteers have anything to say about it.

Serendipitously West Dunbartonshire Council has actually already been considering this for Glencairn House.

Elspeth told the Reporter: "On Thursday, March 2 there was a consultation by ZM architects in the Artizan hub to consider the future use of Glencairn House. This was organised by the council.

"When I dropped in there were quite a few people there, all advocating the creation of a museum. ZM are expected to report back to the council, I am told, by the end of March. We are holding off till then and will then set up whatever kind of group is most useful."

Elspeth added in a recent letter: "The town already possesses a fascinating collections of artefacts and historical documents which rarely see the light of day due to inadequate exhibition space.

"The council, moreover, already employs a wide range of people with relevant skills in fundraising, and exhibition planning. Clydebank now has a beautifully decorated Town Hall and museum. It is time to accord Dumbarton the same dignity."

If the plans were to come to fruition it would make Glencairn House Dumbarton's third museum, linking to the Denny Tank and Dumbarton Castle. However there are other proposals for the space.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesman said: “No decision has been taken on the future use of Glencairn House. More than 50 people attended a recent public consultation in Dumbarton to give their views on what Glencairn House should be used for.

"The ideas put forward included using the building for office or retail space, a restaurant or cafe, a business hub or an arts centre. Another suggestion which proved particularly popular was to use at least part of the building for a local history museum, potentially linking with the new riverside walkway to create a ‘museum trail’ connecting Glencairn House, the Denny Tank museum and Dumbarton Castle.

“All of the proposals will be considered by a specialist team to identify the best option for the building and a report will be presented to West Dunbartonshire Council for a decision.”

Though the plans are still in the very early stages, Elspeth and the others involved are hoping they will see their dream of a Dumbarton Town Museum realised.