{"id":46523,"date":"2026-04-28T16:07:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T15:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=46523"},"modified":"2026-04-27T12:38:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T11:38:54","slug":"hes-19-5m-for-scotlands-historic-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=46523","title":{"rendered":"HES: \u00a319.5m for Scotland’s historic cities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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image for illustration: Dunfermline, Mcwesty, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up to \u00a319.5 million is set to be made available to Scotland\u2019s cities for heritage projects as part of a wider funding package from Historic Environment Scotland (HES).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

HES writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The funding package will be distributed through Scotland\u2019s City Heritage Trusts and will see funding distributed across a number of Scotland\u2019s cities, including for the first time Dunfermline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Dunfermline became Scotland\u2019s eighth city in 2022, it now qualifies for funding through the City Heritage Trust (CHT) scheme, which aims to provide local trusts with funding to invest in projects or work aligned to their local historic environment. HES provides funding on behalf of the Scottish Government to help protect and promote Scotland\u2019s diverse historic environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the funding package, the funding period for City Heritage Trusts (CHTs) is also increasing from three years to five. This allows the CHTs to take on longer-term projects and develop their own delivery programmes. The grant funding will be used for repair and re-use of historic buildings, training of traditional and specialist skills when caring for the historic environment, and outreach activity including exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alison Turnbull, Director of External Relations and Partnerships at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said: \u2018It has now been twenty years since the City Heritage Trust scheme was first put in place, and we are excited to increase the funding period as well as bring a new city into the programme. The scheme has been a tremendous success in supporting each city\u2019s local buildings, conservation areas, and built heritage outreach. We are excited to support each CHT to set longer-term goals to champion heritage projects in their cities, which individually and collectively play a key role in the fabric of Scotland\u2019s story. HES\u2019s funding schemes, such as the CHT scheme, continue to leverage match funding in the sector. We are very proud of the fact that the potential overall investment in the historic environment in 2026-31 catalysed by HES investment could be around \u00a351 million, supporting jobs, skills and contributing to our sense of place.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: \u2018This five-year funding demonstrates the commitment from both Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland in providing long-term support for initiatives that will help protect and safeguard our nation\u2019s historic buildings and cultural heritage. Each award will empower the successful cities to allocate funding to projects within their area – allowing this support to be tailored to meet each area\u2019s needs.  This community-centric approach ensures local voices can lead the way in how Scotland\u2019s story is told, for generations to come.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 For more information about each City Heritage Trust, please see the list below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n