Falkirk Council commissioned the £150,000 restoration earlier this year after inspections revealed extensive water damage and timber decay affecting the decorative structure. Completed in June 2025, the project reinstated the cupola’s original appearance while addressing structural concerns.  

The work was paid for directly from this year’s Council Tax rise which is funding a £15m investment package across the Council area. Other areas to benefit were £3.8m of additional spend on roads, £1.5m of improvement works at local schools, and £815k on flood prevention. 

Originally built between 1901 and 1904, Bo’ness Town Hall was designed by Edinburgh architect George Washington Browne and included a public library supported by a donation from Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie. 

The cupola formed part of the original design and has been a recognisable feature of the building ever since.

Recent inspections, as part of the Council’s ongoing programme of surveys, revealed there were areas of the external timber loose, broken, or rotten – particularly around the base and balustrade. While the core structure remained sound, repairs were needed to prevent further deterioration.

Specialist joiners removed the cladding, assessed the original timbers, and reused as much material as possible. Any sections that couldn’t be saved were replaced using Douglas fir – a close match to the original wood – and detailed to replicate the existing design. 

New leadwork was fitted, and a new cowl for the bell tower was added to reflect the original design. The structure was repainted using a colour matched to the existing finish.

Additional repairs were also carried out to slates, gutters, and downpipes.

Councillor Paul Garner, deputy leader of Falkirk Council, said: “Falkirk Council is committed to looking after our area’s key buildings, and thanks to the careful management of the budget over several years we now have the funding in place to make improvements like this.

“I’m delighted to see the cupola restored to its previous glory. It is a familiar sight in Bo’ness and part of what makes the town hall such a distinctive building. Thanks to this project it can remain a feature of the town’s skyline for years to come.

“I’d also like to thank officers for ensuring the restoration was completed in time for this year’s Fair. We know how important it is for the building to be looking its best for this big day in Bo’ness’ calendar.

“The wider Town Hall obviously needs a lot of additional investment and this will be considered along with the Grangemouth Town Hall and the Dobbie Hall when the Council settles its budget for 2026/27 in February next year.”