Historic Environment Recovery Fund Grants Awarded
Over £1.9 million has been distributed to help support the recovery of Scotland’s historic environment sector from the impacts of COVID-19.
Article Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Last Updated: 26 January 2021 12:32
Historic Environment Recovery Funding will support organisations and help to support the recovery of Scotland’s historic environment sector from the impacts of COVID-19
A working steam railway museum in Spey Valley, a historic castle on the Isle of Mull and an A-listed lighthouse on Shetland are among those set to benefit from funding as part of the Historic Environment Recovery Fund.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced funding of £1,916,238 to over 40 organisations across the country to help support the recovery of Scotland’s historic environment sector from the impacts of COVID-19.
The Historic Environment Recovery Fund was launched in October with two funding streams available.
The first stream - the Reopening Historic Buildings and Sites stream - offers support to help sites reopen to the public including repairs and PPE equipment and adaptions to facilitate social distancing. As part of this stream, £240,000 has been awarded to the A-listed Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh to assist with internal adaptions to facilitate social distancing and make the historic theatre safe for visitors when it is able to re-open.
£17,625 has also been awarded to Duart Castle Partnership to assist with works at the 13th century Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull as they start to plan for the next visitor season. As part of the works, a one-way system will be developed so that visitors can explore the castle safely.
Meanwhile, £73,743 has been awarded to Shetland Amenity Trust for works to the A-listed Sumburgh Head Lighthouse on Shetland. The funding will be used to address building maintenance as a result of winter storm damage, install COVID adaptions and develop a new business plan. The Trust will also deliver a community art project and video to promote the site and re-engage with the local community.
The A-listed Cockenzie House and Gardens in East Lothian has also been awarded £12,112 to cover repairs which will ensure continued public access to the building which is a vibrant community hub offering studios for small business and artists and delivers a range of heritage and community projects within the grounds.
The second stream – the Sector Resilience and Recovery stream – will help organisations to protect jobs or skills training posts, as well as assist with activities to help them adapt to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Organisations which HES is supporting under this stream include The Scottish Lime Centre, based in Fife. The Scottish Lime Centre is a key provider of advice, training and practical experience for the repair and conservation of Scotland’s traditional and historic buildings and £25,000 has been awarded to upgrade their website, improve their online presence and develop four training videos for traditional building skills, enabling them to continue to deliver valuable online training in a COVID-safe manner.
The Strathspey Railway Company, which runs a working steam railway museum offering passengers a 20-mile journey through Spey Valley in historic rail carriages pulled by historic locomotives, has been awarded £57,700. The funding will safeguard the development of traditional skills including three engineering apprenticeships as well as PPE equipment to allow the museum to safely re-open and allow visitors to enjoy the railway heritage of the Spey Valley once it is safe to do so.
In addition, £39,575 has been awarded to the Friends of Dundonald Castle – a charity that operates the 14th century castle and visitor centre in Ayrshire. The funding will enable the organisation to focus on increasing their resilience while adapting to COVID-19, develop recovery plans, increase their digital presence and produce online learning resources.
The Historic Environment Recovery Fund is administered by HES on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Alex Paterson, Chief Executive at HES, said: “From museums in the Highlands to historic venues and buildings in central Scotland and the Borders, we are pleased to support a diverse range of projects the length and breadth of Scotland as part of the Historic Environment Recovery Fund. By helping to protect jobs, reopen historic sites and maintaining investment in traditional skills training and apprenticeships, we hope to support the wider recovery of the sector and Scotland’s economy.
“While historic sites and visitor attractions have been impacted by the closure of sites throughout the 2020 visitor season and the loss of revenue, other organisations in the sector have also had to adapt the way in which they carry out their work, put crucial traditional skills training and educational activities on hold and look at new ways to generate income, and we hope that this funding will allow the recipients to prepare for the future.
“The historic environment sector provides countless benefits to local communities – including providing jobs and generating tourism spend - and it is vital that we support these organisations and ensure their important work can continue as we face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and seek to harness opportunities ahead.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland is internationally renowned for the quality and diversity of its historic environment. Our historic environment plays a crucial role in defining who we are as a nation, supporting wellbeing and sustainability within communities and promoting a positive image of Scotland across the world.
“I am pleased that a wide range of projects will benefit from Scottish Government funding as part of the Historic Environment Recovery Fund. The support delivered through this fund will safeguard our shared heritage for future generations, protect jobs and help to strengthen Scotland’s wider economic recovery.”
The projects which have been awarded funding are:
• Archaeology Scotland - £72,000
• Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Trust Ltd - £27,171
• Bannockburn House Trust - £27,282
• Braemar Community Limited - £30,620
• Castle Roy Trust SCIO - £11,248
• Cawdor Castle Ltd - £100,528
• Clan Mackenzie Charitable Trust - £24,400
• Cockenzie House and Gardens - £12,112
• Collective - £47,988
• Dr Coralie Mills, Dendrochronicle - £14,998
• Duart Castle Partnership - £17,625
• Eden Court Highlands - £59,364
• Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust - £19,815
• Fife Historic Buildings Trust - £83,914
• Finlaggan Trust - £8,347
• Friends of Dundonald Castle SCIO - £39,575
• Friends of Kilbride - £68,509
• Glasgow Women's Library - £30,000
• Govan Heritage Trust SCIO - £39,905
• Hopetoun House Preservation Trust - £71,355
• King's Theatre Kirkcaldy Limited - £87,000
• Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust - £18,985
• Northlight Heritage - £14,916
• Open Past - £12,575
• Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust - £53,351
• Raasay House Community Company - £15,782
• Scottish Lime Centre Trust - £25,000
• Scottish Railway Preservation Society - £158,654
• Shetland Amenity Trust - £73,743
• Skaill House - £30,000
• Smart History - £12,500
• Stonehaven Recreation Grounds - £92,069
• The Abbotsford Trust - £48,730
• The John Rae Society - £17,107
• The Moray Society/Elgin Museum - £8,720
• The Queen's Hall (Edinburgh) Ltd - £240,000
• The Ridge SCIO - £24,418
• The Strathspey Railway Company - £57,700
• The Swan Trust - £17,800
• Traquair House Charitable Trust - £30,104
• Wanlockhead Museum Trust - £70,328
Image: Queen's Hall Edinburgh
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
From The Gannet to Eleven Fifty Five: Peter McKenna announces new Argyle Street restaurant
Peter McKenna, chef-owner of The Gannet in Glasgow, along with Kevin Dow, are set to open a new restaurant, Eleven Fifty Five, in its place in Finnieston early next year.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort to welcome new Mexican restaurant this week
Mezcal, the lively Mexican street-food restaurant, is set to open its doors at Glasgow Fort on Wednesday 26th November, bringing even more choice for visitors ahead of the festive period.
READ MORE
Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORE
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time returns to Glasgow in March 2027
A brand-new staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time based on the internationally celebrated novel comes to Glasgow's Theatre Royal in March 2027!
READ MORE
MINISO is coming to Buchanan Street... get ready to explore!
Global lifestyle sensation MINISO is set to bring its signature blend of joy, creativity, and affordable design to Buchanan Street, with a brand-new store opening on 26th November!
READ MORE
Black Friday Savings at Buchanan Galleries
Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow is abuzz with Black Friday deals, offering shoppers incredible discounts across a wide range of products – from fashion and footwear to jewellery, beauty, and homeware.
READ MORE
The Maclean Brothers row onto Celtic Connections bill as new wave of shows announced
The Maclean Brothers are among a wave of exciting new names to join the world-renowned Celtic Connections bill, it has been announced.
READ MORE
BBC CBeebies starts the panto season at Glasgow cinemas
The CBeebies panto Cinderella is coming to the big screen in Glasgow from Friday 21st November.
READ MORE
The Pavilion Theatre is taking part in the largest Black Friday Theatre Sale in the UK
As part of Trafalgar Entertainment, customers can now access some of the best theatre ticket deals for shows at the Pavilion Theatre as well as unmissable productions in the West End.
READ MORE
BBC ALBA Hogmanay Ceilidh to broadcast live from Glasgow
BBC ALBA will bring together some of Gaelic music's biggest names as Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire returns to Glasgow to celebrate Hogmanay and usher in 2026.
READ MORE
Cast Announced for Flora, a new musical coming to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow
The full cast has been revealed for Flora which sees one of Scotland's most famous daughters, Flora MacDonald, take centre stage to tell her own tale!
READ MORE
Christmas in Edinburgh and Glasgow: Celebrate the festive season with Candlelight Concerts
Featuring classic Christmas carols, this live, multi-sensory musical experience will light up St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral and Merchants House and The Trades Hall for an unforgettable evening.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn to open the biggest festive beer hall in Glasgow at Winter Wonderland on The Green
Glasgow is getting its largest-ever Christmas beer hall, and it’s all down to award-winning brewer Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
Glaswegians invited to Panto Town as Glasgow 850 finishes with festive flourish
Glaswegians are being urged to embrace the unique spirit of the city's pantomimes with the launch of Get You in Panto Town!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries celebrates the season of giving with festive family fun
The magic of Christmas has arrived at Buchanan Galleries, with a heartwarming line-up of festive activities taking place throughout November and December.
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet creates a brand new wee version of the big ballet
Scottish Ballet's Wee Nutcracker is coming to Glasgow's Tramway this December. The beloved festive ballet, The Nutcracker, has been specially adapted for wee ones aged 5+ and their families!
READ MORE
The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan lead new production of Waiting for Godot at the Citz
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star as Estragon and Vladimir in a new production of Waiting for Godot, co-produced with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Octagon Theatre Bolton.
READ MORE
Hoolie in the Hydro opens doors to young Gaels for Glasgow 850
More than 1,300 Glasgow schoolchildren are being given the opportunity to access live music as part of a special tie-up between Hoolie in the Hydro and Glasgow 850.
READ MORE
ASN sessions to be held at Winter Wonderland Glasgow Green
Dedicated ASN sessions are to be hosted at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green to enable families in need of support to have a festive day out.
READ MORE
77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts awarded with highest honour given to volunteer led groups
The 77th Glasgow (Disabled) Scouts has been recognised with The King's Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the highest honour for volunteer-led groups in the UK.
READ MORE
Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes
Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.
READ MORE
The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort unwraps festive celebrations
Christmas magic is set to return to Glasgow Fort on Thursday 20th November as the centre unveils its seasonal line-up!
READ MORE
Global fashion brand Stradivarius opens first Glasgow store at Silverburn
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, opens Glasgow's first-ever Stradivarius store, further elevating its fashion offering.
READ MORE
Boney M ft Maizie and Newton Faulkner join Fun For Life Fest lineup
Boney M featuring Maizie Williams are set to co-headline the Fun For Life Fest on Saturday 16 May 2026, with Newton Faulkner also joining the line up.
READ MORE
Trafalgar Entertainment becomes official sponsor of Box Office Radio
Global live entertainment company – Trafalgar Entertainment – has become the official sponsor of Box Office Radio.
READ MORE
New book launches in Busby by local author, Marissa McCudden
Debut author, Marissa McCudden, has launched her new book, 'There's Lots of Different Types of Clever' with illustrator, Michael Spy on Amazon.
READ MORE
Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026
The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links