Our history
The story of Bridgend Farmhouse stands as a testament to the hardwork, determination and vision of local people.
Read on to find out how volunteers transformed a derelict building and site into a thriving community hub serving South Edinburgh and beyond.
2010-2011: A seed is sown
Bridgend Farmhouse was the last working farm in Edinburgh, closing its doors in 2000. By 2010, Bridgend Farmhouse was a burnt-out shell of a building surrounded by overgrown land and vandalised outbuildings.
But even in this state, the potential of the site was evident. Local residents and neighbouring allotment holders got together and held a public meeting in the Bridgend Allotment Barn to discuss renovating Bridgend Farmhouse and creating a community resource.
Full of enthusiasm for what could be, the group set up a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) called BIG: Bridgend Inspiring Growth – a very fitting name as the group had BIG ideas!
The plan was to restore the derelict farmhouse and turn it into a thriving community centre, focusing on the outdoors and the environment - a gateway to Craigmillar Park.
2012-2013: Consultation
In 2012, extensive consultation and community engagement efforts took place, gathering ideas and suggestions from local people about what kind of community resource they wanted Bridgend Farmhouse to become.
With support from the Big Lottery’s "Investing in Ideas" fund, a business plan was developed, feasibility studies conducted, and various options explored through an appraisal process.
The community played an active role in shaping the design of the farmhouse and the services it would provide, making it a true reflection of the needs and aspirations of the people it would serve.
2014 - 2015: Overcoming the odds
In 2014, something unexpected happened: a ‘for sale’ sign appeared outside the farmhouse. The City of Edinburgh Council had put it up for sale.
After a long campaign and council committee meetings, Edinburgh councillors agree to give B.I.G. a one year license to use the building and to raise the funds to renovate it.
Immediately, weekly volunteer sessions started and the clearance and renovation of the site began. New programmes and activities were set up.
The plans for the renovation were finalised. Funding was obtained from the BIG Lottery fund, the Robertson Trust, Historic Environment Scotland and others supporting the £1.1 million needed for the renovation.
In 2015, after much campaigning, the City of Edinburgh Council transfered ownership of Bridgend Farmhouse to the community for £1. Bridgend Farmhouse became one of the first urban asset transfers under the newly-passed Community Empowerment Act.
2016 - 2017: Renovations and transformations
In 2016 site renovations began in earnest, with the help of a dedicated build manager and Cornhill Building Services (CBS).
Our volunteers got stuck in with timber charring and cladding for the workshops, landscaping work, internal painting and decorating.
The farmhouse was carefully renovated, preserving its original structure. 4 community workshops were added in the garden, arranged to create a courtyard and garden space.
Inside the farmhouse, accessibility improvements were made with a disabled lift and rooms were opened up to create spacious areas.
Volunteers restored original farmhouse features like sash and case windows, using natural and traditional materials with wood fibre insulation for efficiency.
To enhance sustainability, an energy-efficient boiler was installed with underfloor heating and a wood-burning stove that can run on local renewables.
CBS finish their work in 2017, resulting in a wonderfully renovated farmhouse.
2018: The doors are opened!
In 2018, Bridgend Farmhouse opened to the public.
Over 1000 people attended the launch and the ribbon was cut by the Darlings – the last farmers to work the land here. It was a day of huge celebration and joy.
2018 - 2019: Community ownership
Bridgend Farmhouse became a Charitable Community Benefit Society and launched our Community Share Issue, enabling over 400 local people to become part-owners of the farmhouse.
With the main building and workshops complete, Bridgend Farmhouse was buzzing with activities, workshops and volunteering. Venue spaces were available to organisations for hire and new site developments got underway.
The development of our Eco Bothy was in full swing, much of the work of which was carried out by volunteers.
Our wonderful ‘Place, Work, Folk’: a community oral history project capturing memories, stories and photos of local people who had known the farmhouse when it was part of the working farm, and the part it had played in the community.
2020 - 2021: Pandemic response
80 volunteers were involved in the Bridgend Farmhouse emergency food programme providing cooked meals to vulnerable people in the local community.
A total of 75,000 meals were provided during the pandemic. In recognition of our Covid response, Bridgend Farmhouse was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service which aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities.
2022 - present: The work continues
The experience of the pandemic highlighted the importance of creating opportunities to meet, gather, learn and grow together.
Bridgend Farmhouse has continued to grow and thrive. The completion of the Eco Bothy and Bike Barn have created new opportunities for work and volunteering.
3 social enterprises are now based at Bridgend Farmhouse – part of our commitment to community wealth building. Our new Zen Garden – a place for reflection and mindfulness – has been created by volunteers and is open to all. Our Community Peace Garden has provided opportunities for New Scots, including people who have fled conflict, to come together to create a beautiful space and to build friendships.
Every week, Bridgend Farmhouse provides opportunities to our local community – skills development placements in our training kitchen and cafe, growing in our gardening allotments, groups and activities to support physical and mental wellbeing, performances and events, and so much more.
Come pay us a visit and find out how you can be a part of our story in the many years to come.