Shoemaker's Shop Left Untouched for 60 Years Being Restored
The Souter's Shop, which opened in 1897, is set to be saved and restored after being left untouched for 60 years.
The business was run by local shoemaker James Merchant and his son until the 1940s, when it closed, leaving its tools, ledgers, and fittings frozen in time.
Now, under the ownership of Birse Community Trust, the shop has been awarded $74,500 from Historic Environment Scotland to repair and restore the historic site in Birse, Aberdeenshire.
- Repairs are needed on the roof, timber, chimney, and joinery glazing.
- The interior will also be opened to visitors on site and across the globe with a virtual exhibition and online tour.
Autor's resume: The last shoemaker shop in Scotland is being restored.