THE National Trust for Scotland (NTS) will receive more than £1 million to carry out “essential conservation work” on historic sites across Scotland including repairs at Culloden.
The £1,062,000 in funding, which will see more than 100 sites throughout the nation receive essential upgrades and repairs, has been awarded by Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Partnership Fund.
Each site will receive the equivalent funding of £75,000, which can be allocated for vital repair work, as well as towards technology, training and development.
Several landmark projects have already been earmarked for repair, including thatch work at Culloden, structural repairs at the House of the Binns and stonework at Fyvie Castle.
Susan O’Connor, head of grants at HES, said: “I am delighted that our Partnership Fund will help to support the trust’s ambitions.
“Scotland is home to a vast amount of heritage assets – from castles and palaces to historic houses – which are hugely important to communities up and down the country.
“We welcome the trust’s efforts to explore new ways to understand and care for these places and I very much look forward to seeing the work unfold as the project progresses.”
The NTS last year invested more than 57,000 in a major refurbishment of the large glasshouse at Malleny Garden, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, with further investment planned through the Partnership Fund grant to restore the second glasshouse within the grounds.
The partnership training programme, which will allow the NTS to upskill its staff and volunteers, forms a key part of its 10-year strategy, “Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone”.
The strategy aims to conserve Scotland’s historic sites and grow tourism, while also becoming carbon negative by 2031.
Education is seen as a vital tool in bringing this to fruition, and the funding will provide resources for the trust to meet its training objectives.
Sarah MacKinnon, head of building conservation at the National Trust for Scotland, said: “Through funding from organisations like HES we can continue to carry out the vital work we do and invest the time, care and expertise required in our buildings.
“We are incredibly grateful to our supporters, donors, volunteers and members, who allow us to carry out our vital work and ensure we can continue to safeguard some of Scotland’s most important and valued historic buildings for generations to come.”
