One of Scotland’s most historic buildings is to be used to provide affordable work, event and meeting spaces for social enterprises, charities and community groups.
Dudhope Castle, an A-listed building in the centre of Dundee, which dates back to the 13th century, has been leased to local social enterprise The Circle.
The Circle and Dundee City Council will work with local architectural, heritage and community groups to ensure the building becomes an accessible community resource, as well as a visitor attraction.
The Circle currently manages over 40,000 square feet of affordable workspace in Dundee and Glasgow.
Working with Dundee City Council, The Circle will offer affordable workspaces, co-working spaces and event facilities at Dudhope Castle.
The building was used by the council as offices until March 2020.
The Circle plans to use the castle’s historic Scrimgeour Room for public consultations, and to display an exhibition of the history of the building.
Kirsty Thomson, The Circle’s founder and chief executive, said: “This important, historic building will be used to benefit the people of Dundee.
“It will be filled with organisations and individuals offering support to people across the city, including those with additional needs and learning disabilities, experiencing mental health challenges and funeral poverty.
“Dudhope Castle will become the headquarters for The Circle in the long term, as we expand our operations across the city - the move represents the next stage of the journey for our organisation.”
Mark Flynn, convener of Dundee City Council’s development committee, said: “Leasing Dudhope Castle to The Circle is a win-win situation all round, not least because of the exciting plans they have for it which will mean that the Dundee public can still feel a sense of pride and engagement with the building.”
A number of The Circle’s current tenants are planning to move into Dudhope Castle, including: Cornerstone, Barnardo’s, Uppertunity, and local filmmaker Ian Bustard.
Sheelagh Scott, service manager at Barnardo’s, a tenant of The Circle Dundee for five years, said: “Both myself, and the team at Barnardo’s Works, value being part of The Circle Community as all partners share our basis and values and are committed to improving the lives of people in the local community.
“We are looking forward to an exciting future as tenants in The Circle as we move to the new premises.”
In 2021, The Circle took over the management of 20,000 sq feet of empty office space in Easterhouse, owned by Glasgow Council. The building now offers affordable, flexible office and meeting space to local organisations, social enterprises, and community groups, including Baby Sensory, Barnardo’s and Action for Children.
In 2016, The Circle moved into Staffa Place in Dundee, formerly run by the Claverhouse Group. It currently operates 20,000 sq feet there, and is home to organisations including Funeral Link, Partners in Advocacy, Uppertunity, and Wilde Mode.
Dudhope Castle was built in the late 13th century by the Scrimgeour family. Since then, the building has had many uses.
In 1792 the castle was rented in a failed attempt to turn it into a woollen factory. For nearly 100 years, from 1795, it was used as an army barracks.
The building also previously housed the University of Abertay’s Business School.
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
