Today (1 August), Historic Scotland confirmed they had received initial support for an £3.5m bid from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to create a new National Conservation Centre (NCC) in Stirling.
The amount is part of a wider £6.5m funding package that will include £3m from the Scottish Government's Young Scots Fund.
A world-leading centre for conservation, the purpose of the NCC is to raise standards for traditional buildings, broaden awareness of the importance of traditional materials and skills and develop those traditional skills, particularly among young people.
Research and education at all levels will be key objectives in the scheme and the centre will be housed in the Engine Shed, a historic building in the Forthside area of Stirling formerly part of the MOD complex.
The announcement was made by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, who visited the Engine Shed to view plans of the proposed refurbishment and to meet a number of Historic Scotland's traditional skills apprentices.
Upon completion, the NCC will provide a focus for research and dissemination of good practice, delivering a new bespoke range of qualifications and informal learning, and promoting the care of traditional buildings and the ongoing importance of traditional skills and materials.
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In addition to the above, Historic Scotland have also applied to the European Regional Development Fund for a further £1.9m grant which, if awarded, will bring the total funding package to £8.4m.
With funding now largely in place, a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process will begin to ensure that the new NCC meets the needs and expectations of the historic environment sector.
Ms Hyslop said: "Conserving our heritage for future generations and developing the skills in our young people to do so is a key focus for Scotland. This initial approval from the Heritage Lottery Fund is a huge boost for this important project. Scotland has long championed the value of nurturing traditional skills and technical expertise so I am delighted that the HLF is backing our plan to help establish a world-leading centre for conservation.
"From climate change research to pioneering digital scanning, this centre for excellence will develop all elements of heritage conservation, enabling Scotland's historic environment to continue playing a key role in stimulating economic growth and helping to safeguard the future of Scotland's traditional buildings.
"Scotland is a creative nation, and we want our young people to develop and nurture their skills and creativity. That is why the Scottish Government established the Young Scots Fund to provide £50 million over the next four years focused on developing the potential of our youngsters in sport, enterprise and creativity."
Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in Scotland, added: "The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to give its initial support to this visionary project which will transform the skills available to ensure the future of Scotland's traditional buildings.
"The National Conservation Centre will become a centre of excellence for the hundreds of thousands of historic buildings which form part of our everyday lives as shops, banks and homes. Tradesmen and professionals will have the opportunity to learn the skills and techniques required to care for them, and to find out about the latest research and its implications, while the Centre will help the public to understand the need to maintain historic buildings."
(JP/MH)
