Historic Environment Scotland has announced more than £800,000 of funding to support conservation repair projects to historic buildings
Landmark buildings around Scotland have received funding to help restore them to their former glory.
Historic Environment Scotland has announced funding of £842,802 to support conservation repair projects to historic buildings.
The funding has been awarded to four heritage projects, including £92,387 to Hospitalfield House in Arbroath. Hospitalfield House is a 19th century arts and craft house designed and built by the artist Patrick Allan-Fraser. On his death, Allan-Fraser left his estate in trust to support artists of the future and in 1902 the estate became one of Scotland’s first art schools. The Hospitalfield Trust continue to follow the terms of the bequest and supports artists from Scotland and far beyond to develop their work.
This funding will allow Hospitalfield Trust to repair and restore buildings within the grounds. This includes the 19th century Fernery which was designed in 1872 by Allan-Fraser to house two New Zealand tree ferns and is the only building of its type remaining on the east coast of Scotland. The walled garden will feature a new design which will explore 800 years of the garden’s history.
Once the works have been completed, the garden and garden buildings will be open to the public year-round and a new café will be opened which is part of the plans to expand Hospitalfield House as a cultural hub.
Among the other recipients announced is the Inverness Creative Academy which has been awarded £500,000 to repair and revitalise the 125-year-old historic building, which was originally home to the former Inverness Royal Academy. The completed project will offer workspaces for cultural organisations and social enterprises, including long-term office space and flexible co-working spaces as part of the wider regeneration of the city.
£141,605 has been awarded to the 15th century Dunollie Castle in Oban for works to the exterior and the main tower. This project forms part of a wider regeneration programme for the Castle which includes the museum and grounds.
Comrie Development Trust has also been awarded £108,810 to redevelop 11 B-listed Nissen Huts at the former Cultybraggan prisoner of war camp, known as Camp 21. Five huts will be redeveloped into high-quality, sustainable self-catering accommodation, one into a furniture store and laundry to support the self-catering offering, and five into as commercial let accommodation including a possible pop-up café. A self-guided heritage trail has also been installed at the camp with interpretation boards placed at intervals to provide information about particular buildings or areas of the camp. Cultybraggan Camp, located in Perthshire, is the only Second World War prisoner of war camp in Scotland which is open to the public.
This funding is part of HES’ historic environment repair grant programme which supports works to buildings or ancient monuments which are of special architectural, historic or archaeological significance across Scotland.
Amy Eastwood, head of grants at HES, said: “From offering public access to creating co-working spaces, these projects are fantastic examples of how conservation and re-use of historic buildings can make a positive contribution to the wider community.
“These funds will allow the projects to undertake the necessary high-quality, specialised conservation works required to help ensure a sustainable end use and continue Scotland’s story.”
Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This funding for the restoration and repair of historic sites underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment, through the work of Historic Environment Scotland, to preserving our incredible built heritage for future generations.
“I’m particularly pleased that Hospitalfield House has been awarded money to continue its development and enable even more people to enjoy its contemporary arts centre and gardens. This is a fantastic example of how historic buildings can be adapted to new uses, ensuring that they can continue to thrive and make a valuable contribution to local communities.”
The programme offers grants from £10,000 to £500,000 to support conservation-standard repair projects across Scotland which secure the original fabric of historic buildings and ancient monuments using traditional materials and skills.
Applications for the Historic Environment Repair Grant are open throughout the year and are considered in three batches. The next closing date is Thursday 30 April, with full information available online.
