Pittencrieff Park’s famous glasshouses will reopen next week after undergoing a major revamp.
The Dunfermline attraction has been refurbished and upgraded as part of the Glen’s wider Heritage Lottery-funded restoration project.
The fund gave £708,900 to the project in 2011 with donations from Fife Council and the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust bringing the total to £1.6 million.
Glass has been repaired and replaced, a new energy efficient heating system and lighting have been installed, vents have been fitted with mechanical mechanisms for the first time and flooring has been upgraded to improve access.
Originally built in 1973 on the site of historic conservatories, the 200ft glasshouses are divided into three sections.
They are the main floral hall, the central zone which houses cactii and other succulents and the west section, where a flexible new space has been created.
The glassroom in the 76-acre park, bought for the town in 1902 by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, will be used as a learning facility for schools, colleges and community groups.
A programme of ranger-led activities and events will run throughout the year but the space will also be bookable.
City of Dunfermline committee chairwoman Helen Law was pleased another important milestone in the restoration project had been delivered.
She said: “Parks and green spaces are such a valuable asset to the people of Fife and Pittencrieff Park is certainly one of the jewels in our crown. It’s great to see the park’s restoration project nearing completion. The glasshouses are an important part of the Glen and visiting them has been something that many of the park’s visitors have done since childhood.”
As well as the restored glasshouses the project has brought a peacock sanctuary with new peahens to keep Clive, the town’s famous peacock, company.
The much loved train has been restored, park lighting has been replaced and landmarks including the Andrew Carnegie statue, the telephone kiosk and the doocot have been refurbished.
Mrs Law said a new kitchen garden is being built on the site of the former paddling pool and landscaping work includes the restoration of the rock and Japanese gardens.
She added: “I really look forward to the work being finished in time for summer when we can show the hundreds of thousands of visitors how the park has been returned to its former glory.”