A B-listed building in Kirkcaldy's Beveridge Park that had fallen in disrepair has been given a new lease of life as a nursery, thanks to a £1.3 million investment by Fife Council.

Raith Lodge, situated at the Boglily Road entrance of the park, dates from 1892 and was originally the home of the head park keeper.  It later became a tea room and, latterly, council offices.  After being empty for a number of years it was proposed that  the building could be repurposed as a nursery for the Kirkcaldy west area, where there's a shortage of nursery places.

Planning permission was granted in 2022 and the refurbishment started last summer, with work being completed by the council's building services teams, with the help of local contractors.

Extensive work was required to bring the building up to the required standard for use a s a nursery, whilst preserving its historical features.  The entire roof has been renewed, as have the cast iron gutters and downpipes. Damaged stonework has been repaired and repointed and there's new sash and case windows, replicating the originals which retain the original coloured glass.

Inside, decaying timbers and plasterwork were removed and the building was rewired and had new lights fitted. The space has been redesigned to incorporate a new kitchen and toilets and a refurbished internal staircase. The decoration is bright and welcoming, but retains the historic feel of the building.

There's an external private play area at the back of the building and the stone lions which have guarded the park since 1893 have been restored and repaired, too, as part of the project.

Service manager Steve Anderson, said:  “We're delighted to have been able to bring this  dilapidated  building back to life. Our young apprentices  have been given a unique opportunity to learn trade skills that are needed when restoring a historic building like this. I'm sure that  some of our future young apprentices will start their learning in this fantastic building"

Fife Council's spokesperson for building services, Cllr Judy Hamilton, said: "Raith Lodge has been a key landmark in the Beveridge Park  for over 130 years and I'm pleased to see it restored and preserved for future generations.

"I'm delighted that young apprentices from a variety of trades were able to be part of the restoration. Apprentices are key to our workforce and giving them a chance to work on projects such as this gives them unique skills, in addition to what they learn day to day. I'm very proud to see what's been achieved."

Shelagh McLean, head of education, said:  "We are delighted that Raith Lodge has welcomed it's first intake of children, who are settling in well. The restoration of the building has given us this new early years facility, which was needed in the local area. Beveridge Park is a brilliant location for the nursery and our young people will benefit from learning in such a beautiful setting which offers multiple outdoor learning options too."