Councillors are to consider a £4.6million plan to transform Dumbarton’s oldest building into a state-of-the-art library and museum.

The proposals would also see the current Dumbarton Library building at Strathleven Place turned into a community collections store and archive, open to the public.

Outline plans propose using the existing three-storey vacant Glencairn House building, which dates back to 1623, and adding an adjoining four-storey extension to the rear with views over the River Leven and Dumbarton Castle.

The museum facilities at the B-listed building would include an entire floor dedicated to local history and an exhibition space, in addition to displays of artefacts throughout all floors.

At present, less than one per cent of the council’s heritage and fine art collection is on public display due to lack or unsuitability of space.

Items that could be displayed regularly for the first time include a Roman medallion from 193AD; a ‘Skellat Bell’, one of only six cast bronze bells known to have survived from the early Christian church in Scotland; The Dubonnet Trophy, presented to Sir Jackie Stewart at the the final race of the season in which he won his first Formula One World Championship; and The Overtoun Collection and associated civic fine art.

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The building would include dedicated spaces for children and families, computer use and quiet study alongside a range of fiction and non-fiction items in a variety of formats.

There would also be a recreational space with a coffee station and level access via the main entrance on High Street with an internal lift to each floor, as well as meeting and event spaces.

Under the plans for the existing Dumbarton Library, the current museum collections store and archive facility at Poplar Road, which is not currently open to the public, and all other services in the building would be transferred to Strathleven Place.

This new facility would allow for regular public viewing and improved access to the collections and archive throughout the year.

This includes access to a huge volume of documents illustrating the importance of Dumbarton as a main centre in Scottish civic life, such as a letter under the Privy Seal of James III; a charter signed by Mary Queen of Scots; and a Commission by King James VI to the Bailies of Dumbarton to apprehend and try persons suspected of witchcraft, signed by the king himself.

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The proposals will be presented to councillors at a meeting of the Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee on May 15.

Officers are seeking permission from committee to undertake a public consultation to see if there is support for the project. This would begin in late May 2019 and last for three weeks.

Malcolm Bennie, strategic lead for communications, culture and communities, said: “Glencairn House presents a great opportunity for this council to create a new library for Dumbarton, with purpose-built, modern facilities that are more accessible for residents.

"It would also provide a permanent museum celebrating the history of this area which is something the community has previously supported.

“In addition the proposal would protect the history and heritage of this area by giving a new purpose to the oldest building in West Dunbartonshire, and provide a new sustainable future for the existing library building.

“It is for councillors to decide if this is something they are interested in progressing to a public consultation. If they give approval then the engagement would allow local people to give their views and shape whether and how this proposal can be taken forward.”

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