Progress Report (and a bit of history!) Raptor World Home Page
Parkhill House
The Centre is being incorporated into a Victorian Mansion (Parkhill House) situated in the heart of Scotland. Originally built as a country mansion for the Hill-Witsun family in 1887 the home passed into the hands of Smedleys, the well known fruit growers. It was inhabited by George Smedley for a number of years before passing to a family who converted it into a residential care home. This it remained until 1997 when it closed. Sadly its vacant position left it prey to vandals and thieves, and substantial damage was done. This included the breaking of 124 windows, the theft of all the fire places, doors and even the staircase! Although much work has been done to restore the building to its former glory there is still quite some work to be carried out before its expected opening later in 2009.
Parkhill House shortly after acquisition in September 1999
The Hall 1999. Vandals and thieves had stripped out the doors and staircase.
The coffee shop 1999. The start of refurbishment.
The garden grounds start to take shape summer 2000.
The Resident Ghost
There is of course the ghost that no self respecting mansion could do without. It is reputed that in the past curtains would open and close by themselves, and certainly, our ghost seems to be a little on the lazy side since our own experience of it is that it prefers to use the lift to get from floor to floor and even opens the door before going through it! Most unusual behaviour for a ghost.
The Hotel and Restaurant
As well as the raptor centre, there will be 10 letting rooms and a Game Restaurant (The Woodland Game Restaurant). Although there will be a predominantly game theme to the menus, the restaurant will also serve a good variety of vegetarian dishes. Holidays and residential raptor management courses will be the main business at Parkhill House Hotel as it will then be known, although watch this space for bargain breaks and themed weekends.
Opening Date
As we have set a few dates for the centre opening, and each time been held up, we are reluctant to commit ourselves again. We are however, looking at the summer of 2009 for the Raptor World centre, provided all goes according to plan (How many times have we said that????). Hotel and restaurant dates are not being set at present.
Work Progress
Aviaries are now finished and mews are well under way and looking quite good! Another month should see them finished. One building to demolish and the ticket office can be constructed. Have laid the power supply and the computer cables and the paths can now be added. We are looking more certain for summer 2009 (still a long way off I know!) so hopefully all will stay on course and we look forward to opening our doors then.
For further information on the opening of the centre, hotel and restaurant please call us on;
(Outside UK 00 44 then omit first 0) 01250 874656
or email us at Info@raptorworld.co.uk