Dunbar: 'Eyesore' Abbey Church to go up for auction

The Abbey Church, which dates back to 1850, has lain empty for the majority of the last 50-plus years.

The building, at the southern end of the town’s High Street, is now up for sale and has been described as a “fantastic project for a builder offering great potential for a variety of possible uses subject to obtaining the relevant planning”.

Next Thursday (March 21), the building will go to auction in Glasgow through Auction House Scotland.

Dunbar's Abbey Church goes up for auction next week. Image: Auction House Scotland.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, who represents the town on East Lothian Council, was keen to see something done with the building but feared that the asking price was “unrealistic”.

He said: “It has been desperate to get something done with that building for years.

“Many attempts have been made to do something to it and it currently is an eyesore in the centre of the town centre and gives the wrong impression to what is actually happening in Dunbar.

“I know there are people willing to take on the building and do something with it.

“I have spoken to The Ridge, who are keen to get access and do something, but the price being asked for is unrealistic to take on a liability as great as that.”

Dunbar's Abbey Church goes up for auction next week. Image: Auction House Scotland.

“I have spoken to The Ridge, who are keen to get access and do something, but the price being asked for is unrealistic to take on a liability as great as that.”

The Category B listed building was designed by architect Thomas Hamilton.

According to Auction House Scotland: “Despite being a beloved landmark within the local community, the former church has remained empty for decades.

“The building itself is made of red sandstone with internal stone steps leading up to the mezzanine level.

“There are many original features left behind such as original stained-glass windows, the roof has been completely removed.

“This is a fantastic project for a builder offering great potential for a variety of possible uses subject to obtaining the relevant planning.”

Dunbar's Abbey Church goes up for auction next week. Image: Auction House Scotland.

Images included on Auction House Scotland’s website show the poor condition of the building, which is listed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.

Pictures show rubble inside the property, which is also missing its roof, and vegetation growing.

The building remained in use until 1966, when it was closed.

The following year, it was sold by the Church of Scotland to a private owner.

Since then, it has remained empty, except for a short period in the 1980s when it was used as offices and a visitor centre for the nuclear power station being built at Torness, to the south-east of the town.

Previously, attempts have been made to transform the building into a town hall and an arts centre but neither project has been successful.

Dunbar's Abbey Church goes up for auction next week. Image: Auction House Scotland.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of Dunbar Community Council, was keen for the building to be brought back to life but described it as "a major project".

She said: "The whole town has recognised for a very long time that the Abbey Church acts as a bookend at one end of the High Street, with Lauderdale House at the other.

"There is an ambition of everybody to see something positive and constructive happen with the building."