Grants Funding Report

This report outlines how we spend our grants funding each year, supporting communities and historic places across Scotland.

In the past financial year, we spent £10.77 million on behalf of the Scottish Government on projects that care for, protect and celebrate the nation’s historic environment. This investment supports both the tangible and intangible aspects of heritage, delivering benefits felt in communities nationwide.

The report:

• Demonstrates how we spend this funding

• Provides insight into how funding decisions are made

• Shares and celebrates the transformations made possible

• Highlights areas where we can improve and reach more communities

Demand for funding remains high. We received applications totalling £49.4 million, around two-thirds more than we were able to award. This reflects both the ambition within the sector and the ongoing need for continued support.

Funding is making a real difference.

• We spend 33.8% of our funding in Scotland’s most deprive areas;

• We spent £10.77 million on grant funded projects, meaning for each person in Scotland we have invested £1.95 in heritage

• Every pound of our investment has leveraged a further £5.94 of investment for Scotland’s historic environment The report also helps us to direct our efforts.

However, a third of local authorities did not access funding this year, highlighting opportunities to extend our reach

We continue to evolve how funding is delivered. A new 100% funded pilot scheme launching in 2026–27 aims to remove barriers for applicants, alongside ongoing work to respond to emerging needs and trends. Looking ahead, at least £33 million has been committed over the next five years to sustain and grow this impact.

Together, these findings show how investment in Scotland’s historic environment delivers lasting value for places, people and communities, and helps guide where we focus our efforts next.

We spend our funding on a wide range of Scottish heritage, from bridges and brochs, to slate, thatch and stone. Below are some examples of where we have invested this year.

Citizens Theatre, Glasgow

HES provided £388,318, leading to an overall HES investment of £1,241,039 towards the £40 million project to repair and preserve the historic Citizens Theatre. Built in 1878, it was the first purpose-built theatre south of the River Clyde, and from the outset it became a local theatre centred at the heart of the community. The project has overcome several challenges: work began on-site in 2020 before having to half 1 month later due to COVID; supply and resourcing pressures, inflation and unforeseen repairs also prolonged project delivery. This project has created a revitalised cultural venue offering improved facilities that can not only support charities and community groups but has also played an important part in the ongoing regeneration of the Gorbals area, creating strong cultural, social and economic benefits for the local community, wider Glasgow area and on the national stage.

Kintyre Churches at Killean, Kilchenzie and Kilkivan

The emergency stabilisation of three scheduled monument church ruins located in the Kintyre peninsula was successfully delivered, as one contract, by Addison Pytasz on behalf of their clients, the Killean and Kilchenzie Churches Preservation Association and Laggan Opportunity and Amenity Fund. Works included the stabilisation of masonry across the ruins, the addition of information boards to the entrance gates of all three ruins, and the relocation of ten carved West Highland grave slabs to Edinburgh to allow a stone conservator access. Now that the emergency works have concluded, with the ruins made safe, a full repair project for the three former churches is in development, and HES is currently assessing an application for full repair. On completion, the three ruins will enjoy improved access and will be included as part of a new heritage trail in the area.

The Old Corn Mill, Bunessan, Isle of Mull

Built in the 18th century, the Old Corn Mill was once at the centre of island life; on milling days, crofters often worked alongside the miller to mill their corn. The mill fell out of use in 1914 and today stands as a roofless ruin, although it remains an important part of local heritage, in the care of the Ross of Mull Historical Centre.

In 2025, HES awarded a grant of £14,573 for urgent repairs to masonry and timber lintels, and the addition of new interpretation panels. Volunteers also cleared vegetation to make the mill accessible, with local engagement beginning to explore potential future uses. Although this a modest grant, this project has provided a vital ‘stitch in time’ with stabilising the building, making it accessible, and allowing the historical centre time to plan for its future. It has also given volunteers valuable experience in running a capital project that will be invaluable when planning larger-scale works in the future.

Gracemount Mansion, Edinburgh

Gracemount Mansion in south Edinburgh has been well loved for its past as a youth centre, notably hosting early performances by the Bay City Rollers. The Gracemount Mansion Development Trust established a phased repair strategy: due to funding challenges, the Trust prioritised urgent works stabilising the structure and halting consequential decay. The roof had suffered from lead theft and a lack of maintenance, resulting in serious water ingress. To address this, an interim works award of £50,000 from HES was secured.

This initial phase focused on arresting further deterioration, allowing the building to dry out and creating a stable base ahead of permanent restoration works. The works included focused roof repairs, including slate work, localised repairs of rainwater goods, renewals of cupola flashing, and spot repairs of leadwork, all helping to reduce future repair costs. This project was a strong community-led effort to safeguard a valued heritage asset.

John O’Groats Mill, Caithness

Now complete and opened to the public, the project at the B-listed John O’Groats Mill saw the repair of the mill, its machinery and water systems, and enables visitors to see a working Caithness mill using locally grown grain to produce food. It highlights rural farming traditions of Caithness, sharing these through participation, learning and training. The grant-eligible works included roof repairs, extensive masonry repairs, joinery works and internal lime plastering. As well as being a new visitor attraction, it also provides a community hub, with a new build element helping to support this use.

In 2020, the John O’Groats Mill Trust (SCIO) took ownership of the mill following a feasibility study and extensive consultation, showing community support for the Trust’s aims and ambitions to bring it back into use. They led the £4.9 million restoration project to a successful completion in 2025. The project is now shortlisted in the conservation category at the Scottish Design Awards 2026.