Historic Rutherglen bandstand reopens after 2024 fire damage

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 10:25 · Archive

A 112-year-old bandstand in Rutherglen, badly damaged by fire in June 2024, has been restored and reopened to the public.

Overtoun Bandstand in Rutherglen was badly damaged by fire in June 2024, which destroyed its timber elements. However, enough of its cast-iron frame and roof survived to allow accurate restoration.

Heritage restoration specialists Covanburn Contracts were appointed by South Lanarkshire Council to undertake the project. A key challenge was recreating the highly decorative ironwork, originally designed by Glasgow's Saracen Foundry in Possilpark. Because many of the foundry's records were lost after it closed in the 1960s, the team had to reconstruct the original designs by comparing old photographs to surviving catalogues, described as a 'historical jigsaw puzzle'.

Alex Stewart, managing director of Covanburn Contracts, said the restoration required careful planning and investigation, with substantial background work needed to research and overcome potential challenges. He noted that locals in Rutherglen had been excited about having their bandstand returned to them. Eugénie Aroutcheff, co-founder of local charity Grow73, said many people in the area have an 'emotional connection' to the bandstand, with childhood and personal memories attached to it.

How it is being reported

• Historic bandstand restored two years after devastating fireThe bandstand in Rutherglen's Overtoun park was almost destroyed in 2014.BBC Glasgow And West · 31 Oct, 09:42
• Historic 112-year-old bandstand to reopen after devastating fire near GlasgowRutherglen’s historic 112-year-old Overtoun Bandstand is set to reopen after a major restoration following a devastating fire in 2024.Glasgow Times · 29 Oct, 13:43

In this story: Overtoun Bandstand · Rutherglen · South Lanarkshire Council · Covanburn Contracts · Saracen Foundry · Glasgow

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