MORE than £21.5 million in Scottish Government funding is to bring 24 disused or derelict sites and buildings back into use across the country.
The projects are set to create more than 160 jobs across Scotland and support nearly 900 training opportunities.
Deputy first minister Kate Forbes confirmed the 2025-26 allocations from the regeneration capital grant fund (RCGF) and vacant and derelict land investment programme (VDLIP) during a visit to Powderhall in north Edinburgh.
The City of Edinburgh Council will receive £1.4 million for remedial works at the former waste disposal site, paving the way for a housing-led regeneration project that will provide 259 homes, including affordable housing.
Other initiatives being supported include reviving a slate quarry in Cullipool owned and operated by the Isle of Luing Community Trust; converting a former tram depot in Dundee into a new transport museum; redeveloping a former derelict school into energy efficient housing units in Borrodale on the Isle of Skye; creating film production suites and a training centre at a former glue factory in Glasgow; and extending Lochvale House community centre in Dumfries to include a café and soft play area.
The announcement coincides with a call for expressions of interest in 2026-27 funding to support regeneration projects in disadvantaged communities. As set out in the 2025 Programme for Government, future Scottish Government support for regeneration projects will be channelled through one national fund – the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund – to streamline the application and delivery process.
The deputy first minister said, “This funding will help to transform derelict sites the length and breadth of Scotland, creating homes, jobs and facilities that drive economic growth, tackle poverty and help support and growing thriving communities.
“This funding forms part of a wider £62.15 million investment by the Scottish Government towards regeneration projects in 2025-26. This will help to revitalise green spaces, town centres and derelict sites to benefit people across Scotland.
“The 2025 Programme for Government stets out our renewed commitment to supporting regeneration projects across the country with one streamlined fund delivering this vision from next year.”
The RCGF is delivered in partnership with COSLA. COSLA’s spokesperson for environment and economy, councillor Gail Macgregor, added, “Today’s announcement sees the return of invaluable tools and resources for local authorities to help deliver on the regeneration aspirations of the communities which they represent.
“The diversity of successful projects on show demonstrates how localised approaches can deliver benefits across the country and showcase the best of partnership between local authorities and our communities to deliver economic and social renewal.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Scottish Government on regeneration in the months to come.”
Regeneration Projects supported through the RCGF and VDLIP fund in 2025/2026:
| Fund | Organisation | Project | Award | |
| RCGF | Angus Council | Arbroath Courthouse Community Trust | £2,138,985 | |
| RCGF | Argyll & Bute Council | Fyne Futures Local Food Production and Training Centre | £250,000 | |
| RCGF | Argyll & Bute Council | Isle of Luing Community Owned Slate Quarry | £1,747,936 | |
| RCGF | City of Edinburgh Council | Spartans Youth Work and Education Building |
|
|
| RCGF | Clyde Gateway | Baltic Street Play | £850,000 | |
| RCGF | Dumfries and Galloway Council | Let’s Get Sporty – Lochvale House | £1,572,370 | |
| RCGF | Dundee City Council | Dundee Museum of Transport – A Catalyst for Regeneration of Stobswell | £1,001,430 | |
| RCGF | Fife Council | Together Cowdenbeath People’s Centre | £1,000,000 | |
| RCGF | Glasgow City Council | SEC Possilpark | £600,000 | |
| RCGF | Glasgow City Council | Glue Factory | £398,169 | |
| RCGF | Highland Council | Glen Urquhart Public Hall | £602,500 | |
| RCGF | Inverclyde Council | Bank St. Community Hub | £515,000 | |
| RCGF | South Lanarkshire Council | Cathcart Road Net Zero Industrial Units | £963,000 | |
| VDLIP | City of Edinburgh Council | Powderhall Housing-Led Regeneration | £1,400,000 | |
| VDLIP | Clyde Gateway | Cuningar Loop Woodland Park Completion | £500,000 | |
| VDLIP | Dumfries and Galloway Council | Annan Harbour Regeneration – Phase 1 | £1,343,683 | |
| VDLIP | Dundee City Council | Placemaking Lochee | £695,000 | |
| VDLIP | East Dunbartonshire Council | Lennoxtown Community Greenspace Project | £472,952 | |
| VDLIP | Glasgow City Council | Milton Discovery Wood | £655,200 | |
| VDLIP | Glasgow City Council | Tureen Street School Conversion | £1,978,441 | |
| VDLIP | Highland Council | Borrodale School Renovation Project | £450,000 | |
| VDLIP | North Ayrshire Council | Kyle Road Phase 2 Development | £892,990 | |
| VDLIP | North Lanarkshire Council | Cumbernauld Village Green-Blue Space | £735,770 | |
| VDLIP | Renfrewshire Council | Ferguslie Green Line – Belltrees | £650,436 |
