A house which inspired the Peter Pan story is to open its doors to allow the public to see the renovation works being carried out at the property.

The riverside gardens of the property, Moat Brae, in Dumfries was the location where writer JM Barrie played as a child and it is well known that he based the story of Neverland on his experiences.

The house was set for demolition, but an intervention from the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust (PPMBT) saved the property.

Having acquired the house in 2011, the PPMBT carried out emergency works to stabilise the house and install a temporary roof, while the first phase of restoration works were carried out last year and completed in January 2014.


Now, the public will be able to see the work that has been undertaken so far with the Trust launching a six-week programme of free public tours at the site.

The tours will commence from Saturday 8 March and last until Saturday 19 April 2014.

Commenting on the initiative, Project Director Cathy Agnew is quoted as saying: "We have now got this wind and watertight house with a new roof and all the new windows.

"The house is safe and it is saved for the community.

"We want people to have a look, have a look at our design concepts, have a look at the sort of things that we are wanting to do when we open as a national centre for children's literature and storytelling."

It is hoped the centre will be fully open by 2017.

(JP)