THEY'VE been used as a humble storeroom, vandalised countless times, set on fire and risked demolition.

Yet today the Castlemilk Stables stand proud at the heart of the community, a beacon of regeneration.

The B-listed Georgian stable block was brought back to life through a £4.2million refurbishment after 10 years of campaigning by the community and Glasgow Building Preservation Trust to transform the derelict block on Machrie Road.

Now it will mark the first anniversary since its makeover by welcoming visitors for Doors Open Day - the heritage festival that allows people to visit some of Glasgow's most unusual buildings.

Dating back to 1794, the sole remnant of the grand Castlemilk House is now the thriving base of Cassiltoun Housing Association, a series of rented office spaces, training rooms, an art workshop space and children's nursery.

"The Stables have become a source of civic pride," said Charlie Millar, director of Cassiltoun Housing Association, and treasurer of Cassiltoun Trust's management committee, which runs the stables.

"We think that folk feel really proud of having such a lovely building in their community.

"A lot of people don't know about Castlemilk's history - it's a great unknown but it has a rich history."

The Castlemilk estate is woven into Scotland's story; it was a home of Bonnie Prince Charlie's family and visited by Mary, Queen of Scots on the eve of the Battle of Langside in 1568.

The 15th century central keep was extended over the decades to become a mansion for the Stuart family. Used as a home for evacuees during the Second World War and then as a children's home to around 5000 kids, Castlemilk House was demolished in 1969.

Only its stunning fireplace was saved by a joiner who objected to its being tossed on a bonfire and it now stands as the centrepiece of the reception area of the Stables.

Cassiltoun Trust's objective is to involve local people and the board-room is used by community groups, and there are two training rooms and an IT suite with 10 workstations.

The building's units are rented by the In Betwe'eanies Nursery, Castlemilk Environment Trust and care-providing charity Carr-Gomm.

Community arts group Impact Arts rent a room for their Fab Pad interior design project where designers work with vulnerable young people to help them overcome personal issues and make a lasting home.

Tutor Angela Smith works with up to 30 local people at a time in a year-long project, which they attend one day a week.

"It is fantastic," she says. "It's like a dream workshop. It's inspirational."

An orchard maintained by schoolchildren has taken root at the rear of the building and there are plans for four vegetable beds and composting bins.

The eastern side of the building is a riot of colour for the nursery, where the 42 kids on the register play in rooms that were once used for accommodation for stable staff. The In Betwe'eanies and its 21 staff moved from Castlemilk East Parish Church last August.

Nursery senior Karen McAulay has vivid memories of going for walks around the Stables with her father.

"When we grew up, there was a big high fence around this and it was all dilapidated," she said. "I remember all the bricks lying around from where the house used to be.

"Now we've got a lovely secure garden and the children love it - there's lots of squirrels and foxes."

The domed tower of the Stables was designed as a status symbol to show the wealth of the estate.

To date, the pristine building hasn't been targeted by vandals and over 2000 people have visited it. That included a group of secondary kids from across the city.

"All of the kids' reaction was they thought Castlemilk would be full of drugs and vandalism," recalls Charlie Millar.

"They said that the views that they came here with weren't the views they left with.

"I think the Stables is part of the small step to help breathe new life into a community." Castlemilk Stables, 59 Machrie Road, 0141 631 5214. The building is open September 20 and 21 from 10am until 4pm. Architect Tom Connolly will lead a one-off tour on the Saturday at noon. A free shuttle bus takes visitors from the City Chambers on George Square at 10am, noon and 2pm. Local residents get the opportunity to learn new skills at various classes, which include art and design, in the revamped B-listed Castlemilk Stables The stables provide a perfect environment for youngsters like Justin Crosbie, 4, Ethan Hill, 3, and Robert Stanulis, 3, to have fun learning and meeting new friends Carol Dougherty brushes up on her painting skills during an arts group Mia Logan, 3, and Devon Jaconnelli, 4, enjoy their day at the estate's nursery TIMES FILE

DOORS Open Day has extended its programme for 2008 to include a week of events in the run up to the weekend openings.

Starting this Monday, there will be walks, talks, seminars, exhibitions and workshops on topics such as building maintenance and even a chance to tour a multi-storey stable block in Bell Street.

The 13th annual heritage festival allows the public to venture through the keyhole of 135 places of interest on September 20-21. For more information go to: www.glasgow doorsopenday.com or call 0141 221 6061.