The Egg Shed Heritage & Community Centre
The Egg Shed provides space for heritage
interpretation, retail and community
use at the east end of the Crinan Canal
in Ardrishaig. Named after the building’s
former use for transit storage of eggs, the
existing structure has been retained and
creatively reused, within a challenging site,
providing a historical springboard from
which the design of the new building took
shape.
The Crinan Canal was opened in 1801 with
the purpose of providing an easily-navigable
route for boats travelling between the Firth
of Clyde and the West Coast of Scotland,
avoiding the arduous and often dangerous
journey around the Mull of Kintyre. As the
country’s economy developed during the
industrial revolution, the Canal facilitated
commercial and fishing vessels travelling
between the industrial heartland around
Glasgow and the West Highland villages
and islands. Ardrishaig developed where the
canal meets Loch Gilp, becoming a bustling
port and harbour for passenger and freight
traffic.
The village has since suffered an economic
decline. The Egg Shed aims to help address
this by providing a destination for learning
about the rich heritage of the area alongside
facilities for both visitors and local residents.
Space is provided for a permanent exhibition
on the history of the area, its natural heritage
and the canal itself, with supporting retail
space. A separate volume contains a multi-
purpose space for community use.
62 - www.refurbandrestore.co.uk