Will Carluke old church tower be saved by its bell?

Leaning tower...of Carluke but the good news is that repair works are being carried out (Pic Lindsay Addison)

South Lanarkshire Council workers dismantled the almost 300-year-old structure and removed the access scaffolding after consulting with Historic Scotland.

Ann Gee, executive director of the council’s housing and technical resources department, said: “Work to the belfry was needed due to its condition caused by erosion of the pillars.

“In consultation with Historic Scotland, the belfry has now been fully dismantled and is in safe storage and the access scaffolding has been removed.

“The tower will continue to be monitored until spring to confirm that there is no further movement in the structure.

“After this has been confirmed, the belfry will be reassembled, again in consultation with Historic Scotland.”

The Bell Tower is the oldest structure in Carluke and also marks the site of the Forest Kirk. So Carluke Parish Historical Society is keen to see the work completed.

For more on this story see this week’s Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is out now.