1 Overview
Please note that the deadline for the current round of Historic Environment Repair Grants has been extended to 31 December 2020. The next application deadline will be 31 May 2021. For more information, please see the How to apply page.
Under the Historic Environment Repair Grant programme we normally offer grants from £10,000 - £500,000 to support conservation-standard repair projects across Scotland which secure the original fabric of historic buildings and ancient monuments using traditional materials and skills, in line with our Advisory Standards of Conservation and Repair. HES grant support will form part of a wider package of partnership funding. Contact us to discuss the potential level of grant for your organisation.
We expect Historic Environment Repair Grant to be used to repair buildings or ancient monuments which are of special architectural, historic or archaeological significance.
Applications will be accepted for initial assessment on 31 December 2020. We will let you know if your project has passed our initial assessment checks within 3 months. Please note that the HES grant assessment process is separate from the statutory planning consent process.
Please note that the HES grant assessment process is separate from the statutory planning consent process.
2 Eligibility
- Not-for-profit organisations such as charitable trusts, local authorities or religious bodies;
- Partnerships led by not-for-profit organisations
- owns the heritage asset or;
- holds a full repairing lease which has at least 21 years to run or;
- in the case of an ancient monument, has the written permission of the owner to carry out conservation works on the monument;
- in the case of a place of worship, has written permission of the governing body
- delivering conservation-standard repair works to significant historic assets
- professional team including Conservation Accredited Professional Advisors (or Advanced Conservation Accredited Professional Advisors for A-listed buildings)
- yet to begin
- timetabled for five years or less
- achieving one or more of our grant outcomes
- not funded by a City Heritage Trust (as their funding is via HES grants)
3 Eligibility costs
We can fund:
- historic fabric repair costs
- traditional skills training for professional craftspeople and construction workers
- fees for conservation accredited professional advisors
- evaluation and maintenance planning costs
- contingency
- inflation allowance
- non-recoverable VAT
We do not fund:
- demolition
- repair or installation of services
- extension
- alterations
- internal works
- routine maintenance
- minor repairs
4 Application assessment
Historic Environment Repair Grant bids are assessed in competition with each other. We will assess how well your project achieves our grant outcomes (below), how well planned and deliverable it is and how you plan to sustain the scheme benefits in the longer term. We will assess the urgency and level of risk facing your heritage asset.
We will consider the overall value for money your project offers against all of these factors as well as the grant intervention level requested and the need for grant support. You should apply to us at outline design stage.
5 Outcomes
We assess how well your project will achieve our grant outcomes. In your application tell us in detail how your project will achieve one or more of our grant outcomes listed below:
HERITAGE AND SOCIETY: The historic environment makes a real difference to people’s lives
HERITAGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: The historic environment is looked after, protected and managed for the generations to come
HERITAGE AND THE ECONOMY: The historic environment makes a broader contribution to the economy of Scotland and its people
HERITAGE AND CREATIVITY: The historic environment inspires a creative and vibrant Scotland
6 How to apply
The current round of Historic Environment Repair Grants closes on 31 December. The next application deadline will be 31 May 2021.
Expressions of Interest
If you are interested in applying for a grant from HES, you will need to submit an expression of interest first to receive feedback on your proposal. You can submit an expression of interest form at any time, and we aim to respond within 10 working days. We recommend you do not start work on your application form until you’ve received a response to your expression of interest.
Submit expression of interestApplications
Applicants will be expected to have an outline project design, with an estimated funding package and programme.
We will let you know if your application has been accepted for full assessment within three months. If your bid is accepted, we will work with you to agree appropriate conservation-standard repair works and associated traditional skills, evaluation and maintenance plans so that you and your professional advisors can incorporate these into your project design, programme and funding plans.
The following process is used to reach a final decision on your grant award:
Application is through our Grants Online Application System. New users must register to use the system.
Apply nowUseful links
Projects which relate to repair work must be carried out in accordance with conservation best practice. You can find more about what we consider best practice in our Advisory Standards of Conservation and Repair.
Historic Environment Scotland is bound by the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act. This means that any information that you send us or which is provided to help process your application may be made publicly available. However, any sensitive information you give us will be covered by the relevant legislation and will be dealt with accordingly.