Historic Environment Scotland – The NEN

Historic Environment Scotland awards £3.9m to third-sector organisations

Seven projects will receive a share of funding through Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Partnership Fund.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced over £3.9 million in funding to seven organisations with a track record of making a significant contribution to Scotland’s historic environment through its latest round of Partnership Fund grants.

The Partnership Fund was created in 2021, replacing HES’s Organisational Support Fund, to better help Scotland’s third sector promote, celebrate and enhance the country’s rich and diverse heritage. It funds organisations that engage with communities and make a national impact on Scotland’s historic environment through targeted activity, national programmes and financial support.

Alison Turnbull, Director of External Relations and Partnerships at HES, said: “Community engagement is at the heart of our work, and what better way to involve communities than by supporting the organisations that serve them?

“Our Partnership Fund has awarded grants to seven projects which reflect our commitment to strengthening the resilience of Scotland’s historic environment in different ways.

“These projects support investment into traditional skills and retrofitting, encourage communities to engage with their local archaeology and places of worship, and help communities adapt historic buildings for social and economic benefit.

“At their core, these initiatives embody the principle of heritage for all, ensuring that everyone can access, participate in, and benefit from Scotland’s rich historic environment.

“And this is just the beginning. We expect the benefits of these projects to have a long-lasting and sustainable impact on the historic environment and communities across Scotland for years to come.”

The largest single award, £1.9 million, was granted to the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) to support its ongoing efforts to help community-led groups across Scotland find sustainable new uses for historic buildings in ways that directly benefit local people and places.

The AHF’s ‘Heritage Developed & Sustained’ project enhances community engagement with historic environments and its use as a catalyst for climate action which supports key HES priorities in supporting Scotland’s journey to net zero.

AHF has a particular focus on supporting groups with developing projects that serve areas of multiple deprivation or involve a building’s energy efficiency or environmental sustainability.

HES has previously provided grant funding for this project through the Organisational Support Fund, the predecessor to the Partnership Fund. Through advice and the financial support that it can offer as a result of the grant, the AHF has helped repurpose buildings to be used as affordable housing, community centres, workspaces and childcare facilities.

Matthew McKeague, CEO of the AHF, said: “We are immensely grateful to Historic Environment Scotland for this renewed and increased investment in our grants and support programme.

“It will extend our valued long-term strategic partnership and will enable us to continue providing funding and guidance over the next three years to support communities across Scotland, to take control of and adapt historic buildings for sustainable social and economic impact.”

The announcement took place at Gracemount Mansion in Edinburgh, a community-led repair project supported by both HES and the AHF.

Further information on the Partnership Fund is available on the HES website. Organisations who are interested in applying to the Partnership Fund can submit an expression of interest no later than 15 August 2025.

History of Scotland’s gardens explored in new exhibition

‘Seeds of Time: Scottish Gardens 1600 to present day’ is a brand-new exhibition opening tomorrow (Saturday 5 April 2025) at Stanley Mills in Perthshire.

Using material from Historic Environment Scotland’s archives, the exhibition explores the history of gardens in Scotland, delving into what they can tell us about the people who grew them and the world they lived in.

Gardens and green spaces are an important part of life for people in Scotland, providing places in which to relax and reconnect with nature, as well as serving more practical purposes such as spaces to grow food in. Gardens can also offer a window into the past, revealing stories of the people who used and shaped them.

Claire Whitbread, Exhibitions Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “When thinking about our built heritage, castles, buildings and monuments may first come to mind, but our gardens are also a part of that history and provide a sort of living time capsule.

“These green spaces can show us so much about our past, from the grand designs of the aristocracy and the role of empire in revolutionising plant diversity at home, to the vital role city allotments have played in feeding the nation.

“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors to explore this exhibition which aims to show what we can learn from the gardens of our past and what we can take from those that continue to grow around us into the future.”

‘Seeds of Time: Scottish Gardens 1600 to present day’ is on at Stanley Mills from Saturday 5 April 2025 to Sunday 29 June 2025.

Entry to the exhibition is included with admission to the site. Tickets can be booked in advance. Entry is free for Historic Scotland members.

For more information and to book tickets, visit historicenvironment.scot/whats-on. /

The exhibition is only accessible via a staircase.

Heritage Matters!

FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MSP SPONSORS EVENT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RETROFITTING TO NET ZERO

Foysol Choudhury MSP has sponsored an event at Holyrood on the important economic and environmental benefits that retrofitting Scotland’s traditional buildings would bring.

The MSP for Lothian joined staff from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) at a parliamentary reception to learn more about the issue.

The event, on November 7, gave politicians a chance to speak to the heritage body about its work in this area and how retrofitting can contribute to the nationwide push for net zero.

Entitled ‘The greenest building is one that already exists’, the event made the case for improving the nation’s existing buildings, making them as warm and efficient as possible.

Around one in five of Scotland’s homes were built prior to 1919. Research by HES has shown that owners collectively spend £1.3 billion each year on repairing and maintaining such buildings, which make up a distinctive part of Scotland’s towns and cities and create a sense of local identity and place.

At the event, MSPs learned how pairing retrofitting technologies and traditional building skills with new innovations could provide jobs, as well as increasing the energy efficiency of homes.

Recent research commissioned by HES shows that a clear majority of people in Scotland are supportive of retrofitting when it comes to managing traditional buildings.

In a survey of more than 1,400 adults in Scotland carried out in September, more than two thirds (67 per cent) said investing in retrofitting was the best way forward.

Recent data published by the body also revealed the critical economic role that heritage plays in Scotland. The historic environment generates £6 billion per year for the economy, £2.1 billion of which is attributable to heritage tourism. It also supports over 81,000 jobs.

The HES event covered the huge potential economic benefits and new employment opportunities that could be realised through ensuring existing buildings are in a good state of repair, and that retrofit measures are technically sound and effective.

HES has been awarded £1M from AHRC to establish a new national centre for the retrofit of traditional buildings, which will expand the organisation’s technical research and put heritage science at the heart of its approach to developing best practice for the retrofit of traditional buildings.

The new hub will also focus on delivery of training and foster innovation in the use of low-carbon retrofit materials.

Foysol Choudhury said of the event: “It was great to see the work HES are doing to improve and protect our built environment.

“Scotland’s built heritage is vitally important to our culture and economy. Traditional buildings aren’t just nice to look at, they are people’s workplaces and homes, and through retrofitting we can make them warmer, cheaper and more efficient”.

Roger Curtis, Head of Technical Resources at HES, said: “It was encouraging to see so many MSPs keen to learn more about how retrofitting and reusing historic buildings can help Scotland’s national drive for net zero.

“Traditional buildings can sometimes be seen as a draughty hindrance to cutting emissions, but this is a misconception. Many were built with our climate in mind and are inherently adaptable.

“Giving a new lease of life to these older buildings will not only help us retain the distinct historic character of local places, but will also drive economic investment, jobs and tourism.

“In order to maintain these buildings and improve their energy efficiency, we also need to make sure we have a workforce with the necessary skills to do so.

“This is one of the reasons why we are in the process of creating a new national centre of expertise for retrofitting, which we hope will help improve energy efficiency across Scotland, inspire others and play an important role in helping us reach net zero.”

National Trust for Scotland flies the flag for House of Binns anniversary

Conservation charity works with boatbuilder to replace historic flagpole on Binns Tower
Tower built as a result of wager on most frivolous use of £100
Flag raised to celebrate 80^th anniversary of House of Binns acquisition

Celebrating the 80^th anniversary of its acquisition of the House of the Binns in 1944, Scotland’s largest conservation charity is hoisting a flag on the prominent Binns Tower – for the first time in almost a decade.

The raising of the flag has been made possible by a newly-completed project by the National Trust for Scotland to replace the broken flagpole on top of the famous Binns folly, which was purportedly built as the result of a wager on the most frivolous way to spend £100.

To maintain a historical connection with the old mast, said to have been a ship’s mast from a nearby breakers’ yard, the Trust commissioned the new flagpole from Fairlie Boat Builders on Scotland’s west coast, fabricated using traditional techniques.

The Trust also carried out vital conservation on the Tower itself, ensuring it can be seen and enjoyed for generations to come. The Trust worked with Conservation Surveyors Adams Napier Partnership to develop a package of work, including high level harling repairs, maintenance to the roof structure, lime washing, and other repairs.

They were carried out by G Brown Stonemasons over a period of 10 weeks. The conservation works were made possible by the Historic Environment Scotland Partnership Fund Grant, an ongoing partnership that enables the charity to not only carry out vital work but to support the continuation of traditional crafts and skills.

Leading the building conservation project was Maintenance Surveyor at the National Trust for Scotland, Megan Gardner, who said: “It sounds a simple thing to replace a flagpole, but in this case it really wasn’t.

“The whole process has been an interesting one, throwing up some unusual challenges along the way, particularly the location of the Tower at the highest point of Binns Hill.

“Being in such an exposed location, it gets a lot of wear from the weather, so it was important to find the right solution for the construction of the new flagpole that was appropriate to the structure and its location and heritage.

“Due to the Binns Tower’s prominent position and background, we felt that the traditional techniques used in the flagpole and its construction from a ship’s mast were a significant part of the building and its story.

“We looked at how masts were traditionally constructed and are delighted that we have been able to include these traditional shipbuilding elements in the new flagpole. It’s a great example of how we’re delivering our strategic objective to be a learning organisation by championing skills to support traditional conservation and innovation.”

There were also practical challenges in carrying out the work. The height of the Tower required significant access equipment, and scaffolding had to be carried up the hill manually because the amount of rainfall during the spring and early summer made it impossible for vehicles to get over the fields.

For internal work, space inside the Tower is extremely limited and the top is only accessible via two ladders and a narrow hatch onto the roof.

Stuart Maxwell, Edinburgh & East Regional Director at the National Trust for Scotland, added: “The Tower is such a prominent point in the countryside around the Binns, and we’re very pleased to once again raise the flag there.

“It’s a splendid way to mark the 80^th anniversary of the Dalyell family signing over the deeds of the Binns estate to our conservation charity. We’re grateful for the generosity of our members and supporters in our work to protect, care for, and share Scotland’s special places, and for the assistance of the Historic Environment Scotland Partnership Fund Grant, which has made this project possible.”

The Binns Tower – also known as Dalyell’s Folly – was rumoured to have come about as the result of an after-dinner wager in 1825 as to who could spend £100 in the most pointless but amusing way. The story goes that Sir James won the bet with his suggestion of a folly overlooking his neighbour’s estate, and the Tower was completed in 1829.

From 1919 to 1935, the Tower was topped by a windmill rather than a flag, which was used to generate electricity.

The Historic Environment Scotland Partnership Fund Grant of £1,062,000 over 2023-26, enables the National Trust for Scotland to conduct vital conservation work across its built heritage properties, to use technology to better understand its built structures, and to invest in further training and skills development.

Award-winning architecture firm appointed by group working to save The George Cinema in Portobello

Glasgow-based, award-winning architecture firm Loader Monteith has been appointed to lead a design team undertaking detailed feasibility work on a community cinema project in Portobello,

The commission, by The Friends of George (FoTG) group, is supported by the award of a grant from The Architectural Heritage Fund.

The design team’s work will dovetail into an in-depth commercial and operational assessment being undertaken by independent cinema consultants, Mustard Studios, whose work is being funded by a grant from the Scottish Land Fund.

Loader Monteith approached Stefanie Fischer, a leading cinema architect within the UK’s independent cinema sector to join their team as a subconsultant. Her expertise as a cinema architect complements the expertise of Loader Monteith Architects as conservation architects.

The appointment of the Loader Monteith led team builds on a long running campaign by FoTG who have been working to save the art deco former cinema from demolition. With strong support from within their community, FoTG hope to acquire and restore the C-listed building, and operate it as a cinema for the community. These latest commissions will develop and refine the group’s ambitious plans and will also include input from educational and film industry partners.

Mike Griffiths, Friends of the George Chair said: “We are delighted to be able to appoint such an expert team of professionals to develop and refine our proposals as we continue to point the way towards a positive future for The George not only in the heart of the community of Portobello, but more broadly, to play a role in the cinema sector in Scotland.

“The consultants we have working on this bring extensive expertise and experience to the project and will be led by a firm of architects with a burgeoning reputation for exciting contemporary architectural design, deployed to breathe new life into historic buildings.

“We’re extremely grateful for the financial support we have received from the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Scottish Land Fund and our benefactor Victoria Schwab.”

Iain King, Specialist Conservation Architect and Director at Loader Monteith, said: “We are pleased to have been selected as the lead architects, alongside our expert team of consultants, to support the Friends of The George in developing the proposal for the George Cinema.

“Despite the building currently being on the Buildings at Risk Register, it benefits from strong community support and the dedication of the Friends of The George, a group committed to preserving this Art Deco gem and restoring it as a sustainable, independent cinema.

“We look forward to collaborating with them on this important project.”

Last year, Friends of The George Limited had the cinema building formally valued by a firm of professional surveyors and made an offer to purchase it as a “restoring purchaser”, based on that valuation. Funds for purchase were very generously offered by benefactor, writer V.E Schwab.

This offer was rejected by the current owners of the building who have tried – and failed – twice in recent years to secure consent to substantially demolish The George and develop the site with luxury flats.

Most recently, last October, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) published their decision notice on the application by the current owner to have The George ‘delisted’. HES confirmed that the building continues to meet the criteria of special architectural and historic interest and so there will be no statutory change to the current ‘C’ listing designation.

Recent silent, community protests, independent of the FoTG group, have called on the current owner of the building to clear up the mess outside of the cinema and to address the continued neglect and dereliction of the building.

Council welcomes funding to help protect and enhance Granton Waterfront’s heritage

The city council is to receive over £50,000 to develop plans for the heritage and restoration of four key historic buildings and structures in Granton Waterfront.

The funding will also be used for heritage skills training and community events. The announcement was made on Wednesday (17 May) by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage and Place Programme (H&PP).

The money will be used to develop ideas and proposals for the refurbishment of Granton Lighthouse; the Edwardian former Granton Gasworks railway station building platforms; Madelvic House, which is ‘B’ listed from the 1890s, and Granton Castle Walled Garden.

This first phase of funding will support the creation of high-quality sustainable development plans over the next 12 months, with the potential that Historic Environment Scotland and Heritage Fund will then award further funding to deliver the projects in the coming years.

The project forms part of the Council’s wider strategic £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We have ambitious plans to make Granton Waterfront a new sustainable coastal town for Edinburgh.

“In keeping with our plans for the whole city we’re creating a £1.3bn 20 minute neighbourhood with 3,500 net zero homes, a new primary school, lots of green spaces. We want to make sure people can get around and access other parts of the city easily so we’re putting in active travel routes and improving transport links as well. You can see work has started to make the iconic Granton Gasholder a multi-functional public space and hundreds of the sustainable affordable homes we’ve planned are .

“As part of this project we have strong community support to protect the heritage of the area and bring its listed buildings back to life for local people and visitors to use and enjoy. The funding announced today will help us to develop our plans to secure future funding to make this happen.

“This project along with the refurbishment of the Gasholder demonstrates the Council’s commitment to celebrate the historical legacy of the area making sure that its heritage is revitalised for future generations to come.”

Edinburgh Castle reveals reimagined Scotch Whisky

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has revealed its refreshed Edinburgh Castle whisky recipe, packaging design and bottle shape, introducing a modern edge to the landmark Scotch.

Paying homage to the eponymous icon behind the single malt Scotch, the simplified label showcases a sketch of Edinburgh Castle, while allowing the russet-coloured liquid to speak for itself as it shines through the bottle.

With the updated whisky launching off the back of Burns Night celebrations, HES views this as the perfect opportunity for people to try the Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Natasha Troitino, head of retail at Historic Environment Scotland, which operates Edinburgh Castle, gives a hint of what people can expect from the new liquid: “On the nose, there are a myriad of shortbread biscuit notes with a hint of vanilla essence and honey.

“To taste, there are an abundance of earthy sherry flavours, orange peel with a vanilla, shortbread note, with just a hint of earthiness at the end from time spent in ex-sherry casks.”

In celebration of the launch, HES has also partnered with award-winning Scottish mixologist Sean Cavanagh to create a signature serve using the Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old whisky.

Using Sean’s expertise and flair for flavour, he has identified key ingredients to enhance the flavour profile and tasting notes of the Scotch to deliver a delicious signature serve –

Edinburgh Castle Single Malt signature serve recipe:

o 40ml Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old whisky

o 10ml Creme de Banane

o 5ml Pedro Ximéne

o 25ml lemon juice

o 10ml honey/agave (if vegan)

o 1 drop orange blossom water

o 25ml egg white/ 4 drops vegan foamer (if vegan)

Simply shake, strain into a glass and garnish with 3 drops of angostura bitters.

Extending the range, the single malt – distilled and bottled in Scotland and exclusively sold at Edinburgh Castle shops and the Stòr online shop – is now also available in three sizes: 5cl (£7.50), 20cl (£24) and 70cl (£56).

Natasha added: “We’re excited to launch our refreshed product which has completely transformed the look, feel and taste of our whisky, bringing it into 2023 while reflecting the history and heritage of its Scottish roots.

“Whether you try your hand at Sean’s signature cocktail serve or prefer it neat, we hope this brand refresh will both remind connoisseur of the quality of our Scotch and intrigue those new to the category as we invite them to give it a try.”

The Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is available exclusively online at www.stor.scot and at Edinburgh Castle shops.

MSP attends event championing Scotland’s historic environment

Foysol Choudhury MSP for Lothian has attended an event held to highlight the role Scotland’s unique heritage has to play in the country’s economic and green recovery.

The session at the Scottish Parliament was hosted by Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the lead public body that investigates, cares for and promotes the country’s historic environment, including over 300 properties in care.

The event, How Scotland’s Past Can Support Its Future, championed the important role that Scotland’s historic buildings, sites and heritage sector plays in creating jobs, promoting tourism and supporting the environment.

Figures from Historic Environment Scotland show the historic environment sector generated £4.4 billion for Scotland’s economy in 2019 and supported 68,000 full-time equivalent jobs in heritage, tourism and construction sectors. As many as 86 per cent of people also reported a wellbeing benefit from their local heritage.

The historic environment also has a key role to play in terms of the journey to net zero. A fifth of Scotland’s residential buildings were constructed before 1919 using traditional materials and building skills.

Making these buildings as energy efficient as possible is a crucial part of the road to net zero, as well as supporting opportunities for re-use and retrofit, helping to boost jobs and skills through the need for skilled labourers and craftspeople.

MSPs were also updated on progress on the high-level masonry inspections underway at HES to tackle the effects of climate change and other factors on a number of properties in care.

Since the programme started, HES has been able to reopen or increase access at more than 30 sites, including reopening Dundonald Castle, Burleigh Castle and Inchcolm Abbey, while Doune Castle has almost completely reopened with a safety corridor in place. Inspections have been completed at 25 sites with a further 13 sites due to be completed by spring.

Foysol Choudhury MSP for Lothian said: “It was great to meet Historic Environment Scotland at the Scottish Parliament, to learn more about Scotland’s heritage and how HES is supporting the economy and journey to net zero.

“I recently raised a question in the Chamber in support of Historic Environment Scotland. I asked the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure that Historic Environment Scotland’s properties will be able to open to a sufficient degree, to allow HES’ revenue to rise as predicted in the budget.

“I look forward to learning more about HES’ projects in the future and to seeing more of these important HES properties open again for the public.”

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive at HES, said: “Scotland’s historic environment is a part of our everyday lives. It’s our homes and high streets, schools and hospitals. It’s also transport infrastructure like canals and bridges. The historic environment is central to our lives and our sense of place, identity and to our wellbeing.

“There is clear economic value in investing in the historic environment to deliver these core agendas, with the reuse and adaptation of existing heritage assets being integral to a net zero transition.

“I would like to thank Graeme Dey for welcoming us to the Scottish Parliament and to all the MSPs who came to find out more about how Scotland’s past can support its future”.

Edinburgh Castle to shine a light this Christmas in support of the NSPCC’s Childline service

Edinburgh Castle will be illuminated green on the longest night of the year in support of the NSPCC’s Walk for Children campaign.

On Wednesday, December 21, the NSPCC is asking people in Edinburgh to dust off their walking boots and to get into the festive spirit by taking part in the charity’s 5k fundraiser. The children’s charity is inviting families, friends and colleagues to get together for the sponsored walk to raise money to support it and its Childline service this Christmas.

Emma Bowie, Regional Visitor and Community Manager (Edinburgh) at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “We’re proud to be turning Edinburgh Castle green on the 21st of December, the longest night of the year, joining other landmarks across the UK in shining a light on the NSPCC and their invaluable work.”

On average, two children a minute contact Childline. The service’s counsellors receive calls about many concerns and issues, including abuse, neglect, self-harm, and anxiety.

Caroline Renton, Supporter Fundraising Manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “We’re extremely grateful for the support given by Edinburgh Castle to help raise awareness of the NSPCC’s Walk for Children campaign.

“The NSPCC relies on public donations for the majority of its income, which is why we’re calling on people in Edinburgh and Scotland to support the NSPCC and Childline this festive season.

“By joining our Walk for Children, every step that participants take and every pound they raise will help Childline be there for all children, even on the longest night of the year. Together let’s make a difference.”

As well Edinburgh Castle, several other landmarks and venues across Scotland will be participating on December 21. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions in Edinburgh, Dundee Science Centre, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Glasgow Science Centre, will all be showing their support by illuminating green.

To sign up for Walk for Children and to see a list of local participating landmarks search Walk for Children on the NSPCC website.

For anyone taking part in Walk for Children in Edinburgh, please remember to share any photos on social media using #WalkforChildren.

Historic Environment Scotland unveils exclusive Coorie tartan collection

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has collaborated with world leading tartan manufacturer, Lochcarron of Scotland, to create luxury fashion and homeware accessories as part of its latest retail range, ‘Coorie’.

The exclusive tartan collection, which launched yesterday, features a stylish lambswool scarf, cosy fine wool scarf, and luxurious 100% Bowhill lambswool throw. Designed and woven at one of the oldest weaving mills in the country, the quality garments use soft heathery tones inspired by Scottish nature to bring the true sense of Coorie comfort to life, with colours which complement any season.

With a shared passion for preserving Scotland’s rich heritage, the partnership is a celebration of timeless design, blending style and innovation with traditional techniques. Created by some of the most experienced craftspeople in the industry, the Coorie collection showcases the best of the country’s textiles, using natural fibres to create premium, durable products.

The tartan Coorie collection is also linked to a wider Coorie retail offering, made up of a range of lifestyle products, including ceramics by Clod & Pebble, chocolates by Quirky Gift Library and candles by The Coorie Company. Made to encapsulate a deep sense of comfort, warmth and happiness, the range offers an elusive feeling of cosiness as the colder months creep in.

Natasha Troitino, head of retail at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “We’re excited to have joined forces with Lochcarron of Scotland, whose team are renowned for their attention to detail and craftsmanship, to help us bring our vision to life in creating the ultimate timeless tartan collection.

“The Coorie range is designed to provide the optimal cosy haven – indoors or when out and about. With all items beautifully crafted across different areas of the country, we’re able to support both local businesses and manufacturers and spotlight true Scottish talent.

“And with Christmas just around the corner, the collection offers a wonderful selection of items, from stylish home additions to seasonal must-have accessories, perfect for gifting to your loved ones.”

The full Coorie collection is available to shop now, online at www.stor.scot or at selected Historic Environment Scotland sites .