Local Labour politicians have come out against the proposal to list the Brunton Theatre building.
Their opposition was stated in an open letter to Historic Environment Scotland where they claimed listing the current building would jeopardise plans to build a new theatre in Musselburgh.
The letter was signed by Labour MSPs Sarah Boyack and Martin Whitfield, East Lothian MP Douglas Alexander, Edinburgh East MP Chris Murray and Musselburgh Councillors Andy Forrest and Ruaridh Bennett.
The signatories raised concerns that “preserving the current building also preserves many of the issues it faces, including a lack of accessibility, concerns over safety and vital maintenance”.
The letter also reiterated the elected representatives’ commitment towards a new theatre space in Musselburgh that can continue the cultural legacy of the current building while providing better facilities to improve accessibility.
The current theatre was mothballed last October after it closed its doors in 2023 for the last time due to the presence of RAAC.
Commenting on the letter, Ms Boyack said:“I hope this letter illustrates to Historic Environment Scotland why we oppose the listing of the current building.Our driving priority must be the continuation of a theatre in Musselburgh – listing will jeopardise this.
“I am looking forward to working with the Brunton Theatre Trust and with HES to find a solution that ensures that Musselburgh residents get an accessible and functioning theatre space.”
This weekend, Edinburgh joined cities around the world in marking the UNESCO International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. This annual event on 23 August provides an important opportunity to reflect on the historical roots, practices and lasting consequences of slavery.
In honour of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, a special remembrance concert took place at St Cecilia’s Hall on Friday (22 August).
Hosted by the Edinburgh Slavery & Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group and supported by Historic Environment Scotland, the performance featured live music, dance and spoken word from diverse local artists.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said: “This day is not only about remembrance, but also responsibility. By acknowledging Edinburgh’s links to slavery and colonialism, we honour the memory of those who suffered and reaffirm our commitment to building a fairer and more inclusive city for the future.
“I’m grateful to the members of the Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group who continue to take forward the recommendations that were made to Council.
“These address the Capital’s historical links to slavery and colonialism and how they should be remembered in today’s Edinburgh. By reflecting on the Capital’s colonial links, we can better recognise its enduring legacy in our city and pay tribute to those who fought for its abolition.”
Irene Mosota, Chair of the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Review Implementation Group, said: “Today we pause to reflect on how our shared past continues to shape the present and the future.
“The history of slavery carved deep scars. Its echoes resound in divisions, in the barriers, in the racism we encounter still. To acknowledge this legacy with honesty, is the first step to more just and united society.
“Marking this day is not about reopening old wounds. It opens our eyes. It teaches us to remember. We do so to ensure that the injustices of the past are never repeated, and that our communities, our institutions, and our workplaces stand firmly against discrimination in all its forms.
“Our commitment is clear: to speak when silence would excuse wrong, to challenge what is unjust, to support what is fair, to listen with respect, and to continue learning from one another.
“When racism appears, we will not look away. We will answer it with fairness, with courage, and with solidarity for those most affected.
“Remembrance is not a single day. It is a living promise to uphold dignity, equality, and respect. That is what ‘never again’ means.”
Ranald MacInnes, Head of Outreach and Learning at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said: “This event is an important moment for reflection and connection. At HES, we are committed to working with communities to expand our knowledge and explore the legacy of empire.
“Understanding our shared past is an important part in addressing inequality and helps to ensure our heritage tells diverse and inclusive stories that belong to everyone.”
International Day for Remembrance of Slave Trade: ‘Time to abolish exploitation once and for all’
Victims of atrocities and freedom fighters across history can inspire future generations to build just societies,the chief of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on the occasion of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, commemorated annually on 23 August.
“It is time to abolish human exploitation once and for all and to recognise the equal and unconditional dignity of each and every individual,” Ms. Azoulay said.
The Day is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples.
‘The fight is not over’
Echoing the goals of UNESCO’s intercultural project The Routes of Enslaved Peoples, it should offer an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this tragedy and for an analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, said the UN agency, which leads the annual commemoration.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said that while the Day honours the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, “the fight is not over.”
“Modern slavery persists,” she stated. “Let’s confront injustice, past and present and uphold the dignity and rights of every person.”
On the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, in then Saint Domingue, now Haiti, saw the beginning of the uprising that would play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
Against this background, the International Day is commemorated around the world. It was first celebrated in a number of countries, including in 1998 in Haiti and in 1999 on Gorée Island in Senegal, where millions of enslaved people had been forced onto ships to cross the ocean.
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“Today, let us remember the victims and freedom fighters of the past so that they may inspire future generations to build just societies,” UNESCO’s Ms. Azoulay said.
Featuring images from Historic Environment Scotland’s archives, the exhibition charts their innovation and growth from the 17th century through their continued evolution in response to the changing needs of society to become the varied public services they are today.
The exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of the 1925 ‘National Library of Scotland Act’, which saw the establishment of the National Library of Scotland, one of the largest libraries in the United Kingdom.
Across the road, The National Library of Scotland has also opened an exhibition to commemorate their centenary. ‘Dear Library’ is described as a love letter to libraries, aiming to give visitors a whole new perspective on how libraries can help you, and how you can help them.
Browse bookshelves in an open reading room filled with recommendations from the public and well-known Scottish figures. See libraries in popular culture, protest banners and badges, vintage film footage, and more.
Claire Whitbread, Exhibitions Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Through this exhibition, we’re shining a light on the vital part libraries play in Scotland’s social history, illuminating the continuing importance of these places in our lives today.
“It’s wonderful to be opening this exhibition at Edinburgh Central Library, a very fitting venue and the first public library building in the city, opening in 1890.
“It’s also just across the road from the National Library of Scotland, so I hope visitors enjoy exploring both of our exhibitions and discovering more about the fascinating world of libraries.”
Martha Burns Findlay, Head of Public Programmes at the National Library of Scotland, said: “We’re delighted that Historic Environment Scotland’s new display at Edinburgh’s Central Library will coincide with our own ‘Dear Library’ exhibition across the road at the National Library of Scotland.
“In our 100th year we’re championing the vital role that libraries play in Scotland, so the twinned exhibitions provide a great opportunity for people to rekindle their love of libraries.”
Don’t forget to visit Trinity House in Leith for their ‘Family Friday tours’.
Until 8 August, at 11am on Fridays, you can enjoy a relaxed tour of the house with activities to suit younger visitors.
Discover the animals that sailors might meet on their travels and take part in an activity trail. You can also visit the sixteenth centuries vaults – once used as a school for young sailors to learn mathematics and navigation – and handle objects used at sea.
‘Historic Places, Breathing Spaces’ campaign launches today to help boost wellbeing through connection to heritage
60% of people say their wellbeing improved because of visiting a HES site
Leading Scottish influencers support campaign for wellbeing heritage
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is calling for people across the country to connect with heritage to boost their wellbeing as a part of a national campaign, Historic Places, Breathing Spaces.
It comes after a recent HES survey* found 60% of people reported improved wellbeing because of visiting a HES site, and 74% of people felt a sense of connection to the sites after visiting.
Now HES is working with wellbeing organisations, influencers and communities across the country to encourage more people to visit heritage sites and discover the benefits it can bring for mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. Historic Places, Breathing Spaces is the latest action from HES to encourage community participation in heritage to support wellbeing.
As part of the initiative, people are invited to submit their photos and videos expressing how heritage makes them feel to hes.scot/wellbeing. HES will create an online exhibition to further inform and develop the role of heritage sites in supporting wellbeing.
To inspire those looking to explore Historic Scotland sites in new ways this summer, staff have recommended their favourite walks to help the public discover some of the lesser-known areas at local landmarks. HES has also curated playlists inspired by Scotland and its cultural impact for visitors looking to further enhance their walks with an auditory experience, available now on Spotify.
This national initiative follows regional work by HES and partners to encourage heritage engagement to boost health and wellness.
Laura Macdonald, a public health researcher specialising in place-based health inequalities at the University of Glasgow, worked with HES in 2023 to lead research revealing the important links between heritage and mental wellbeing*.
Speaking about Historic Places, Breathing Spaces Laura Macdonald said: “Our research has found that people living near to local heritage sites, who actively visited them, reported significantly better mental health.
“Many heritage sites, particularly historic parks and gardens, provide valuable access to green space, creating a powerful combination of cultural and natural assets that work together to reduce stress and promote mental health.
“Community engagement initiatives play a vital role in making these benefits more accessible – by raising awareness of local heritage through activities such as guided walks and heritage volunteering, communities can help more people interact with heritage and experience the mental health benefits it can provide.
“It will be fascinating to see how the Historic Places, Breathing Spaces campaign will bring further awareness of this on a national level.”
As the national body in Scotland responsible for investigating, caring for and promoting Scotland’s historic environment, HES plans to use information gathered through this latest initiative to explore the social value of heritage sites, and how that can support the country’s wider wellbeing agenda.
The Historic Places, Breathing Spaces initiative is endorsed by Black Scottish Adventurers; a community dedicated to encouraging participation of ethnic minority individuals to enjoy and engage with Scotland’s outdoor environment.
Alistair Heather, known online as “Historic Ally”, is also participating in the campaign to encourage more people to connect with heritage and history in Scotland.
HES Director of Marketing and Engagement, Stephen Duncan, said: ““We are proud to launch Historic Places, Breathing Spaces to encourage people to boost their wellbeing by visiting heritage sites across Scotland.
“We want people across the country to share their stories about what heritage means to them, and how their wellbeing is boosted by connecting with it.
“Scotland’s historic sites attract visitors from around the world to discover and learn about our rich history, but what heritage can also offer is a place to reflect and reconnect with ourselves in the modern world. We want to collaborate with more organisations and individuals to encourage people to explore our sites in news ways and connect with their local heritage.
“Our research shows that 60% of people who have visited HES sites report improved wellbeing from engagement with the historic environment. This summer we want to encourage everyone to engage with heritage and discover for themselves the wellbeing boost it can bring, and to be part of a national exhibition that celebrates Scotland’s historic environment in a new way.”
HES’s annual grants report, published today (Wednesday 11 June) as part of Scotland’s Historic Environment Forum, shows a significant increase in support for projects in Scotland’s most deprived areas.
Investment through HES grant programmes in areas in the most deprived quintile of Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) account for 20% (20.9%) of the total £12.4 million funding package administered by the public body.
The SIMD is the Scottish Government’s standard approach to measuring deprivation and looks at the extent to which an area is deprived across multiple domains, including income and employment.
£2.5 million of HES’s grant funding for 2024-25 was awarded to projects in the most deprived 20% SIMD, beating the previous figure of 6.34% by a significant margin. This figure surpasses previous years and speaks to HES’s Heritage for All vision set out in its new Corporate Plan 2025-28.
HES is committed to using insights from its annual grants report to refine and enhance its funding approach, promoting greater transparency and helping the organisation’s ambition to achieve equitable grant distribution.
The most popular type of grant awarded to these areas was HES’s express grants (up to £25,000). These grants are open to applications year-round with a target ten-week turnaround period. This programme of funding is vital for communities to be able to repair, care for and cherish their historic environment.
Projects successfully awarded express grants in the past year include the Whithorn and the Machars Pilot Archaeology Field School (hero image), where 51 pupils worked on excavating in one of the de-turfed areas of Sinniness, and the community of Luing and surrounding areas where a HES express grant funded guided tours, art demonstrations, multilingual song and more, all in celebration of Luing’s slate heritage past and its future.
With in-house experts on everything from traditional thatching to archaeological fieldwork, HES offers bespoke advice and works closely with projects to establish early success. This is vital for building confidence in new entrants who have not worked with the historic environment before and helps set them up for further success with more ambitious projects that may be eligible for larger grants.
Almost 50% of the overall funding (48.49%) went towards area-based regeneration schemes, including the successful Heritage and Place Programme which funds community-led regeneration projects.
In the past year the programme has celebrated projects such as the revitalisation of Granton Waterfront in Edinburgh, the development of a state-of-the-art heritage quarter in Forres, and more. These projects demonstrate how investment in heritage can help support local economies and enrich communities’ sense of place.
Alison Turnbull, Director of External Relations and Partnerships, said: “For too long, heritage funding has mirrored the inequalities we see in wider society. Our ‘Heritage for All’ vision means we seek to allocate our grants equitably to ensure our historic environment belongs to everyone.
“By working with communities in the most deprived SIMD quintile, we increase the diversity of voices and projects in the historic environment. We are committed to supporting projects that include a wide variety of people in decision-making about their heritage.
“We encourage new entrants to heritage projects in particular to reach out and learn how we can help you engage with and look after the heritage in your community.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “This report highlights the real impact that investment in our historic environment can have in addressing inequalities and supporting regeneration in communities that need it most.
“By targeting funding towards the most deprived areas, Historic Environment Scotland is helping to unlock opportunities, support skills development and bring people together through a shared connection to place and heritage.
“This level of progress is welcome and reaffirms the commitment to ensuring that our historic environment is accessible, inclusive and benefits everyone across Scotland.”
This World Heritage Day, rediscover the Forth Bridge with HES’s new digital portal
In celebration of World Heritage Day on 18 April, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is highlighting how its new platform trove.scot can make it easy and exciting to discover more about the unique World Heritage site of the Forth Bridge.
The Forth Bridge was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2015. It is one of the world’s greatest cantilever trussed bridges, and was innovative in both style, materials and scale when it was first built. Even today, the distinctive industrial silhouette of the Forth Bridge is iconic across the world.
On trove.scot, visitors can explore archive records and images to walk through the immense process of building the bridge through photographs and artwork, and digitally get into the nooks and crannies that are inaccessible in person.
James Bruhn, Head of World Heritage and Heritage Policy at HES, said: “World Heritage Sites are globally important and part of everyone’s heritage, and we are excited to make them more digitally accessible than ever.
“With trove.scot, both local residents and visitors from all over the world can learn more about this unique and world-famous site.”
Unlock Scotland’s world heritage anytime, anywhere with trove.scot, the key to Scotland’s past.
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.
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.”
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.”
Family Friday tours at Trinity House 
