AFTER almost a century at the centre of Scottish education, thousands of student teachers have walked through these halls.

Jordanhill College’s historic B-listed David Stow building has lain empty for nearly five years.

But inside there are still remnants of the imposing structure’s life as a hub for trainee teachers then later social workers, speech therapists and other professionals.

The building is due to be converted into flats by CALA Homes, which is to buy the site from Strathclyde University, in a move contested by Jordanhill Community Council.

Ahead of the conversion, CALA Homes invited the Evening Times to tour the building, completed in 1918.

We were shown around the site by architect Peter McLaughlin, of 7N Architects, and Liana Canavan of CALA Homes.

On entering the building the first thing we see is a grand entrance hall with striking gold and white chandeliers.

In a lecture theatre, mint green leather seats are waiting to be dismantled and sold on while a blackboard still carries scribblings from the last occupants of the room.

Peter takes us to Frances Tombs Hall, which, with high ceiling and carpeted stage, is an arresting site.

But it won’t be kept. Restoration experts have said the room is not unlike others around Glasgow and has no architectural merit.

At the top of the building are four corner rooms of 900 sq ft floor space and with vaulted ceilings.

These will be individual flats and the 900 sq ft space one impressive room.

The David Stow building’s flats - from one to three bedrooms - will form a centrepiece for a site that will house 420 properties if planning permission is granted.

Some 40 per cent of the campus is being kept as greenspace and the views from the David Stow, which look over to the Campsie Hills and along to the Erskine Bridge, are stunning.

Liana says CALA has had interest registered from former students and lecturers who like to idea of returning to Jordanhill.

And they have had requests from people already resident in the area.

Although the building is lying empty, it’s warm.

Strathclyde University has left the heating on in parts to preserve the structure and Peter says the team is keen to get started.

He added: “We don’t want to let the building decay any more than it has done.”