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
First Published: 26 January 2021 12:26
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
Latest Renfrewshire News
Renfrewshire Council events to go online this spring and summer
Renfrewshire Council's spring and summer events programme will be going online over the coming months.
Gallowhill residents urged to get Covid test at mobile centre
Residents of Gallowhill in Paisley are being urged to find out if they have Covid19 when a mobile test centre for people without symptoms of the virus arrives in the area later this week.
Clyde waterfront transformation can support up to 700 jobs
Construction of the Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside project will help to create jobs now, generate vital work for local suppliers and accelerate Renfrewshire's economic recovery.
Renfrewshire Council sets out first priorities of climate change fund
Renfrewshire Council sets out details of the first projects to launch as part of a £1 million investment to tackle climate change.
Scottish Ballet delivers new self care workshops for health and social care staff in Scotland
Scottish Ballet have launched a new programme of online workshops for health and social care staff to help build personal resilience and enhance their wellbeing.
Paisley Art Institute announces the return of the Scottish Drawing Competition
After a four-year hiatus, Paisley Art Institute are delighted to announce the return of the Scottish Drawing Competition and are calling for entries to the prestigious competition!
Darkwood Crew join marine litter fight along the River Clyde
Local volunteer group the Darkwood Crew have become one of 18 anchor groups in Scotland who support Keep Scotland Beautiful's Upstream Battle campaign.
A massive cash prize pot is up for grabs for listeners of Clyde 1 and Clyde 2
Listen to Clyde 1 or Clyde 2 for your chance to win a share of £1 million with Scotland's Biggest Radio Competition!
National Trust for Scotland: The most romantic local walks in Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland has picked out Scotland’s best romantic walks, area by area, across the country. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Renfrewshire Council Team Up with Glasgow Science Centre for online festival
Renfrewshire's joint environmental campaign Team Up to Clean Up is set to be showcased at a digital science festival hosted for the first time by Glasgow Science Centre.
Multi Award Winning stage play Adam to be Broadcast on BBC
Adam, the multi-award-winning stage production inspired by the life of Adam Kashmiry, has been reworked for screen and is now set to be broadcast on BBC Scotland in early March.
Glasgow Science Centre launches first digital science festival
Glasgow Science Centre is holding its first digital science festival, Curious About Our Planet, which aims to celebrate the wonders of our planet and the science of climate change.
First ever Virtual Capital Sci Fi Con hopes to raise vital funds for CHAS by reaching worldwide audience
Scotland’s much-loved Capital Sci-Fi Con is set to return for a sixth year on Saturday 13th March 2021 and will be held virtually for the very first time, attracting audiences across the globe.
New appointments bolster XSite Braehead rebrand plans
Leisure destination, XSite Braehead, is expanding its team with two new appointments to drive forward the centre's strategic rebrand plans.
Danni The Champion short film success at International Film Festivals
Danni The Champion, a short film created for Scenes for Survival digital project, achieves success at international film festivals.
Dobbies partner with Too Good To Go in a bid to tackle food waste
The UK's leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies, has partnered with surplus food app, Too Good To Go, in a bid to combat food waste across its stores.
First visitors welcomed to Renfrewshire vaccination centres
Renfrewshire's three large-scale Covid19 vaccination centres welcomed their first visitors on Monday 1st February.
BBC Debate Night is returning for 2021
BBC Scotland's topical TV discussion programme is touring the country virtually, to give the people of Scotland the opportunity to have their say about the issues that matter most to you.
Epic Gameshow is returning and looking for contestants
Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow is returning for a brand-new series with BIG MONEY and a variety of amazing prizes to be won and they are currently looking for fun, confident, outgoing contestants.
New walking and cycling route from Renfrew to Paisley secures funding
Plans to create a new walking and cycling route between Renfrew and Paisley have taken a huge step forward after it secured almost £1million in Scottish Government Funding.
Public asked to have say on designs for Abbey Close improvement
New designs aimed at turning Paisley's Abbey Close into an expanded outdoor events venue and improved public space have been published, and the public are being asked to give their views.
Thousands of inspired volunteers Team Up to Clean Up their communities
Volunteers from across Renfrewshire are working together as they aim to inspire local people to take pride in where they live.
Thousands tuned in for National Trust for Scotland Burns Big Night In
Viewers from all around the world tuned in to Burns Cottage on Saturday as conservation charity The National Trust for Scotland hosted its first ever virtual Burns night.
Scottish first as state of the art interactive play equipment set to be installed in Renfrewshire
A brand-new activity area is set to become one of the most sought-after play parks in Scotland when state-of-the-art equipment is installed for young people.
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.
Be the light in the darkness
East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Councils will jointly host this year's Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony virtually on Thursday 28 January.
Scottish Ballet brings the health benefits of dance to your home
Scottish Ballet launches an expanded programme of ballet classes, community engagement programmes and health resources to bring the benefits and joy of dance to everyone!
Burns Caup stays in storage as Club celebrations move online
The Burns Caup, presented to the Paisley Burns Club in 1814, is one of several 'relics' to remain in Paisley Museum's store this year as the Club moves its traditional celebrations online.
Community group aiming to bring Howwood Park pavilion back to life
Friends of Howwood Park are seeking to take over the pavilion on a 10-year lease, with the aim of refurbishing it and bringing it back into community use.
Councillors approve Paisley Grammar School relocation plans
Plans to move Paisley Grammar School to a new-build community campus on the town's Renfrew Road has been approved by councillors.
Sponsored Links
