Gala Fairydean Rovers stand upgraded to A-listed

A FOOTBALL stand in the Scottish Borders has been upgraded to a category A-listed building, becoming one of the most protected structures in Scotland.
The stand at Netherdale. Picture: ComplimentaryThe stand at Netherdale. Picture: Complimentary
The stand at Netherdale. Picture: Complimentary

Historic Scotland have labelled the grandstand at Gala Fairydean Rovers FC’s Netherdale ground as being of ‘national importance’.

Previously a B-listed structure, it was opened in 1964 at a cost of £25,000 and designed by local architect Peter Womersley, who also created the Roxburgh County Buildings in Newtown St Boswells and the sports centre at the University of Hull.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chairman Kevin Temple welcomed the upgrade to the status, adding that the club is proud of the stand and its history.

He told the BBC: “The new listing may result in some restrictions on what can be done but it should also mean access to get grants if work requires done.”

An Historic Scotland spokeswoman explained the process behind the upgrade, saying: “Historic Scotland undertook a review of our country’s remarkable sporting buildings in the run up to Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games.

“As part of this work, we have recently updated the listing for Gala Fairydean Rovers Stadium in Galashiels from Category B to A, recognising it as a building of outstanding architectural and national importance.

“The Gala Fairydean Rovers football stand is a significant work of late modernist architecture in Scotland.”

She added that the stand was ‘highly distinctive’ in its design, comprising ‘four V-sectioned vertical finds supporting a wedge-shaped stand and cantilevered canopy.”