Places of worship

Religious bodies in Scotland are currently undertaking a review of their estate. Many historic and listed buildings are being considered for sale over the next few years.

Some of these places of worship will continue in use for worship by new denominations or religions. Others will come into community care and continue as hubs for their surroundings. For many, redevelopment into new uses is the more sustainable option in the long term. The planning system is in place to protect the special character of buildings such as these.

Read our overview of things to know before buying a church

Continuity and Reuse

Places of worship have occupied an important position in Scotland’s landscapes and communities for centuries. These buildings are significant for the role they play in religious worship.

They are also a physical presence and landmark, providing valuable community space. Often they are a repository for traditional art, crafts or music or a hub for memorials and local social history.

Scotland’s religious buildings have generally been able to adapt to cultural changes and changing styles of worship. However, many churches are now poised at a tipping point.

Finding new, sustainable and long term uses for a building is the best way to ensure their future survival. In some cases this will result in impacts to the buildings special character and public access. Change in use can also broaden access or enhance understanding and visibility of a building.

Keeping a building in use is often the most sustainable option. The use and reuse of buildings retains the energy expended in the original construction and sourcing of materials. This is an important part of our journey towards net zero.

How we can help

We provide advice and support to:

• Religious bodies to encourage a strategic and considerate approach to disposals

• Communities seeking to maintain or acquire their place of worship

• Organisations who provide advice and support to places of worship

• Decision makers in the planning system

This guide is aimed at both communities and  owners of historic places of worship. It explains our role in the systems which protect these buildings and the funding and advice we can offer. It also highlights important things to consider if buying a church for development or change of use.

We expect a large number of places of worship to close over the coming years. We are not involved in decisions religious bodies make about the disposal of buildings. However, we do have a role to play in giving advice and support for these important places as they find new sustainable futures.

Listed buildings and our role in the planning system

There are mechanisms in place within the planning system to protect the special character of buildings. Many places of worship are protected through listing. Changes to listed buildings are managed by the listed building consent process. This is a legal process which ensures that changes to listed buildings are sympathetic to their character. Local authorities are the primary contact and decision makers in matters of listed building consent.

We provide advice as part of our role in this system. Our advice seeks to ensure any changes are sympathetic to the building’s special historic and architectural interest while keeping it in use. Remaining in use is one of the best ways to protect a building, and we support new uses and adaptations to achieve this outcome.

What is included in a Listing?

The interior of a historic building often makes an essential contribution to its character and special interest. If a historic building has the protection of statutory listing then this includes the interior and internal fixtures. The local authority is best placed to provide advice on the extent of a listing. This includes what they consider as a fixture or a fitting, or if buildings or features on the grounds are included in the listing.

Local authorities are the primary decision maker for changes to listed buildings. They decide whether proposals to remove or alter internal or external features need consent. Listing won’t necessarily prevent the buildings closure or change of use. Many listed places of worship have changed in use over the decades.

Unlisted buildings

Even for unlisted buildings, the historic environment is a consideration in all decision making. Most of the historic environment isn’t designated. Yet is still covered by the principles protecting the historic environment in the National Planning Framework (NPF4).

The Historic Environment Policy for Scotland supports good decision making for Scotland’s heritage. It states that decisions affecting the historic environment should be informed by an inclusive understanding of its cultural significance. Our guidance Talking About Heritage can help you to understand and share concepts like cultural significance of a building. This may be useful to have when discussing the future of a local building with your community or local authority.

Funding

Beyond our role to support good decision making for the historic environment, we provide advice and funding to places of worship. This is through our grant programs. We give hundreds of thousands of pounds in grants to places of worship for projects which include maintenance and management plans, interpretation, archaeological excavations, accessibility adaptations, outreach and learning and more.

Our grants

Advice and support

We also have a team who provide advice and support for community groups seeking to take a historic building into their care. This can include support in thinking about the significance of historic places or creative solutions for reuse. We signpost to funding streams and make connections between groups who might be able to support each other.

How we work with communities

Change and adaptation is an important part of seeing our buildings survive into the future. Keeping our historic buildings in use ensures they continue to benefit those who live near, use and visit them. Some places of worship will need changes to keep them in use for worship. Others will come out of religious use and new uses can be considered.

Alongside our regulatory role in this system, we also offer guidance for maintaining and managing changes to historic buildings. This guidance is available for anyone who wants to learn how good decisions can protect historic buildings.

Guidance on Managing Change

Making changes to a building can be an important part of keeping it in long-term sustainable use. It is important to be informed at an early stage about the systems in place to regulate these changes. Seventy-five percent of places of worship facing closure are listed, and more are in conservation areas. Places of worship are likely to have important features which need to be carefully considered when making alterations to the building. Our Managing Change guidance notes set out the key things to consider when changes are proposed. 

Our Managing Change guidance

Maintenance and conservation advice

The Engine Shed, our dedicated building conservation centre, offers training and guidance on the technical aspects of looking after historic buildings.

Advice from The Engine Shed

We also have a wealth of case studies that showcase best practice in maintenance and adaptations. Several feature historic places of worship:

Ecclesiastical exemption

Listed buildings whose primary use is as a place of worship will normally have exemption from the need for listed building consent. Ecclesiastical exemption is considered to end when the final closing service is held, or when no more services are scheduled. 

Local authorities administer listed building consents and are responsible for deciding whether consent is required. Reach out to your local planning department if you have any questions about ecclesiastical exception, or download our guidance below.

Finding Sustainable Futures for Scottish Churches

Paisley Abbey hosted an important conference in 2024 with 300 attendees from across the sector. The conference focused on finding sustainable futures for Scottish churches, whether they are continuing in religious use or transitioning to new uses. Talks included finding funding and fundraising, attracting tourism, and making adaptations to historic buildings. Recordings of the talks are available.

Finding Sustainable Futures on YouTube

Heritage Trust Network

The Heritage Trust Network hosts a series of videos and recorded talks from successful community owned places of worship. These make excellent case studies for anyone wishing to explore options for their local church.

Heritage Trust Network video case studies on YouTube

Historic England

The need for finding new uses for former places of worship is not just a Scottish issue. Many countries are looking for similar solutions. Historic England have a detailed web hub featuring useful case studies and discussions. These include discussions on appropriate uses, commercial use cases, and case studies of community ownership.

Historic England’s New Uses for Places of Worship

Places of Worship Forum

The Places of Worship Forum (POWF) has several resources that can help potential new owners. It brings together organisations committed to supporting places of worship in transition across Scotland. You can find out more on the BEFS website.

Places of Worship Forum