Standing Building Recording

Date 1 August 2007 - 30 August 2007

Event ID 556875

Category Recording

Type Standing Building Recording

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/556875

NS 6300 7220 A programme of historic building recording was undertaken in August on the site of the former Low Moss prison at Crosshill Road, Bishopbriggs, prior to its demolition for the proposed construction of a new prison. The site was important as the former RAF Bishopbriggs barrage balloon depot, representing the largest remaining collection of original World War II buildings in existence in Scotland outside the property of Defence Estates (Ministry of Defence). The RAF buildings at Bishopriggs were built during the expansion period which began in 1935, a period when many new stations were built and First World War stations upgraded. The building recording provided a written, drawn and detailed photographic record of the structures before development began.

Archive to be deposited with RCAHMS.

Funder: Scottish Prison Service.

AOC Archaeology were commissioned to undertake a programme of historic building recording belonging to the former RAF Bishopbriggs barrage balloon repair depot which was later converted into prison accommodation in the 1960s. The work was commissioned by the Scottish Prison Service prior to the development of the site which would lead to the demolition of the buildings for the construction of a new prison complex. The building recording identified various structures belonging to the period of airfield expansion during the latter part of the 1930s. These structures included Barrack Blocks, Dining Halls, Institute Buildings, Sergeants Messes, Offices, Stores, Education and Lecture Huts, a Guardroom and Station Sick Quarters. All of the buildings that had been part of the former Low Moss Prison had been modified to perform the role required of them. This included the addition of modular sheet metal roofing which replaced the original corrugated asbestos; the removal of original plaster board walling within the interiors and replacement with modern Gyproc boarding; the addition of a low ceiling and the dividing up of some internal spaces into cells. On the whole, the exterior walls and location of windows and doors had remained in the original locations with only minor alterations, however, the original cast-iron window frames and solid wood doors had been replaced with modern double glazed units and modern security doors. Because of this re-use, the condition of the exterior elements of the buildings and the internal ceilings remain in a very good and almost 'as new' condition. However, the buildings to the east of the site and outside the Low Moss Prison boundary are in original condition but have been neglected the same level of care as those within the prison, and are now near dereliction.

Information from Oasis (aocarcha1-51310) 23 April 2009