Britain’s wealthiest Lottery winners are among the donors who have helped secure a rehearsal base for the National Theatre of Scotland (NTS), which has now moved into its new home.
Chris and Colin Weir donated £1 million to the arts company after it launched an appeal to raise funds to transform a former warehouse in Glasgow into a purpose-built headquarters.
The contribution from the Ayrshire couple, who won a EuroMillions jackpot of £161 million in 2011, was described by the company as a “major gift”.
NTS thanked the couple and other benefactors as staff moved into the completed Rockvilla complex at Speirs Wharf, on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal.
Mr and Mrs Weir said: “It’s a great pleasure for us to support this next exciting chapter of the National Theatre of Scotland.
“As well as becoming a beacon that will attract some of the world’s finest artists to come and make work here in Scotland, we are excited about the possibilities that Rockvilla will create for our young people and communities to engage in life-changing arts activity and to nurture theatre-making talent for generations to come.”
The public campaign was launched in October 2015 and secured further contributions of more than £3 million from the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund against the total £6.5 million project costs.
It enabled the NTS to fill the remaining funding gap and reduce the need for borrowing on the new facility. The current total raised towards projects costs is £5.1 million, and the building will be officially opened early next year as fundraising continues.
Other financial contributions include £400,000 from The Robertson Trust; £150,000 from The Linbury Trust; £100,000 from The Garfield Weston Foundation; £100,000 from The Hugh Fraser Foundation; £100,000 from the Light a Beacon campaign; £75,000 from The Wolfson Foundation; £30,000 from Robert Barr’s Charitable Trust; £25,000 from The Barcapel Foundation; £10,000 from The Binks Trust; £10,000 from The MacRobert Trust and £2,000 from The Bellahouston Bequest.
A spokeswoman for the NTS said: “The National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to be part of an emerging cultural hub in this area of Glasgow.
“Other cultural tenants include Scottish Opera, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow Sculpture Studios, The Glue Factory and the Whisky Bond.”
