A specialist building engineer has scaled the scaffolding at Ayr Station Hotel to establish the condition of the local historic landmark.

The survey, commissioned by SAVE Britain’s Heritage, marks the first detailed inspection of the Category B listed building in five years and is intended to help facilitate urgent remedial repairs to stabilise the structure. 

Access to the hotel for Mr Morton’s survey has been facilitated by South Ayrshire Council and represents a major step forward in the campaign to assess the condition of the building and re-use options, having been shrouded in substantial scaffolding since October 2018.

Once complete, the survey will help inform a strategy to secure the structure and remove the scaffolding encapsulation which is currently encasing the South Wing.

Mr Morton’s survey will help establish what repairs can be undertaken using this existing scaffold, including fixes to make the roof watertight again and some façade repairs.

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Mr Morton’s report on his survey findings will be issued in the coming weeks. 

Henrietta Billings, director of SAVE Britain’s Heritage, said: “We are delighted that the detailed inspection has been completed – this is part of a wider ranging plan to help secure a sustainable new future for this landmark building in the centre of Ayr, so that it can once again be the pride of the town.

"We look forward to sharing the results of Ed Morton’s report.”

Ed Morton, managing director of The Morton Partnership, said: “I am delighted to be surveying this magnificent landmark and it’s been a privilege to be up close to such a vast and historic Victorian structure over the past two days.

"The hotel was obviously built to exacting standards with no expense spared on architectural details inside and out, from the decorative stone detailing at roof level down to what looks to possibly be the original lift of the 1880s running through the main staircase.”