​Cash boost will turn worlds renowned Scots seminary into leading visitor attraction

One of Scotland’s finest examples of modernist architecture has secured £4.2 million in lottery funding to become a heritage attraction.

Arts charity NVA secured the funding to turnaround the fortunes of St Peter’s Seminary, a brutalist complex set in a wooded estate in Cardross, Argyll and Bute, that was completed just 50 years ago but has lain derelict for decades.

The charity, however, won’t fully restore the building; it plans to leave much of it as a raw frame and to keep some of the often highly creative graffiti in which it is covered. There are also plans for a walled garden in the grounds.

A night-time light and sound event produced by NVA at the site that opened last week has attracted capacity audiences, reflecting widespread influence in a building that has long been cited as a modernist masterpiece.

Angus Farquhar, NVA creative director, said: “We have real hope that our vision for progressive, socially-focused art will connect strongly with people and together we will forge a new place for public art.”

Philip Deverell, Creative Scotland director of strategy, added: “The recent success of the Hinterland festival held at St Peter’s highlighted how important the building is to both the people of Scotland and the international architectural community.”

The Category A listed building has been described by international architecture conservation organisation Docomomo as a building of world significance.