About

History


HISTORY & RESTORATION
Campbeltown Picture House is one of the first purpose built cinemas in Scotland, built in 1913. This Grade-A listed building is unique, with a Glasgow school art nouveau exterior and an equally impressive and unusual ‘atmospheric style’ interior. It survives today as a rare space, largely unaltered from the 1935 remodelling by the original architect Albert V. Gardner. The Centenary Project was completed in December 2017 restoring this magnificent building and creating a modern cinema destination complete with a second screen, new foyer and café, and spaces for exhibitions, displays, education and community activities.   

The restoration project included; - Restoration of the historic auditorium; including modern heating, ventilation and seating - Restoration of the unique art nouveau frontage of the building - Transformation of the annexe to provide a new, contemporary foyer and café - Creation of the multi-purpose exhibition space/meeting room/education room/green room - Creation of a second state-of-the-art cinema auditorium in the rear courtyard complementing the historic cinema and providing programming flexibility - A programme of heritage interpretation and education activities focused on the history of the Picture House, of cinema, and of Campbeltown’s social and cultural life - Improved energy use throughout the venue including a modern efficient central heating system powered by a biomass wood-pellet boiler, extensive insulation, and a 40Kw photo-voltaic array on the roof - Increased storage space for equipment, materials and furniture to support educational activities and business meetings - Improved accessibility throughout   

The Centenary Project team Project Manager: Ron Inglis, Craigmount Consulting Architect: Burrell Foley Fischer LLP, lead architect Stefanie Fischer Construction: CorraMore Construction Ltd Download a brochure about the architectural history and restoration project here

Campbeltown Community Business
Campbeltown Picture House is owned by Campbeltown Community Business Ltd which is managed by a volunteer board, chaired by Sid Gallagher. 
Campbeltown Community Business Ltd is a Scottish Charity (SCO09499) and is a company limited by guarantee (SCI06763).




For further information about the European Agricultural Fund click here

Campbeltown