Our latest Archive Hour story goes back in time 10 years to news that work was about to start on a derelict mansion in Helensburgh.

Ardshiel House in Millig Street has since been repaired and converted into luxury flats – but here's how we reported on the start of work at the site on February 5, 2009...

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WORK has begun on the restoration and conversion of a derelict mansion in upper Helensburgh.

Ardshiel House at 16 Millig Street was the subject of years of long and drawn out-controversy over the planning permission for the project, but it was finally approved at the end of last year and work got under way last week with the clearing of the land.

The old house, which was badly damaged internally by fire, and which suffered from an inappropriate extension, is soon to be cleaned up, restored and converted into eight luxury apartments in landscaped grounds with an electric gated entry system.

The project is being undertaken by Balloch Homes Ltd., owned and run by Cardross man Jim Ritchie.

He said this week: “We have cleared the land now and a lot of dead and dangerous trees have been removed so the next stage is the demolition of all internal fire damage and the old extension.”

The outside stonework on the house is to be cleaned to reveal all its glory.