MORE than £1.5 million has been awarded to help repair seven historic buildings across Scotland as part of Historic Scotland’s Building Repairs Grants scheme.
The announcement was made by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, whilst on a visit to Hospitalfield House in Arbroath, which had itself been awarded £500,000 as part of the scheme.
Ms Hyslop said, “We are incredibly lucky in Scotland to have a built heritage which is the envy of the world. By investing in these important buildings we are not just ensuring the protection of these vital, tangible connections to our past but also ensuring that they play a prominent role in the future of their communities.
“Hospitalfield is a great example of a site which has served a range of purposes throughout its long and distinguished history and now, thanks to the support of Historic Scotland, Creative Scotland, and others, a new chapter in its history can be opened. I’m sure that Hospitalfield will serve as a cultural hub for the people of Angus for many years to come.”
The house has its origins as a medieval hospital, serving pilgrims visiting Arbroath Abbey.
The Building Repair Grants Scheme exists to give financial aid to owners of buildings of special architectural or historical interest, in order to meet the cost of high-quality repairs, using traditional materials and specialist craftsmen, to conserve original features.
The recipients of grant funding in this round are:
- Campbeltown Town Hall, Argyll and Bute £264,480 – 18th Century distinctive example of civic pride expressed through its architecture
- Hospitalfield House, Angus £500,000 – With its origins as a medieval hospital, Hospitalfield became the 19th Century Scottish Baronial vision of artist Patrick Allan-Fraser and his wife Elizabeth
- Aberdeen Music Hall, £222,062 built in the early 19th Century, it is a prime example of Aberdeen’s monumental granite classicism. Still plays host over 5,000 events every year.
- Castle of Mey, Caithness £193,440 – A listed, 16th Century building best known for its association with the Royal Family
- The Haining House, Selkirkshire £371,260– comprises of a group of nationally important A-listed buildings, built in 1795 in the classical style
- Craig Castle, Aberdeenshire, £13,598 – Castellated courtyard mansion, associated with the great Gordon family of Aberdeenshire
- Hans Hamilton Tomb, East Ayrshire £7,490– rare example of 17th Century funerary architecture
