A page dedicated to providing useful links relating to the Historic Built Environment.  

• CONSERVATION ADVICE & INFORMATION

• Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland

  A Scottish charity dedicated to the protection, preservation, study, and appreciation of Scotland’s historic buildings.  They have over 1000 members, with six regional groups organising local activities and carrying out casework.  They are supported by a network of volunteers. 

• Buildings at Risk Register

  Created in response to the growing number of Conservation Area and listed buildings that were vacant and had fallen into a state of disrepair.  Maintained by Historic Environment Scotland, it provides information on properties of architectural or historic merit which are considered to be at risk in Scotland.  

• Built Environment Forum Scotland

  Intermediary body for organisations working in the built environment in Scotland.  Drawing on extensive expertise in a membership-led forum, BEFS informs, debates and advocates on the strategic issues, opportunities and challenges facing Scotland’s historic and contemporary built environment.

• Heritage Trust Network

  A network run by professional volunteers providing a platform for members by way of; peer-to-peer support, knowledge sharing, skills development, and advice throughout projects from start up to post completion.  They provide members a united voice, representing views to government and funders.

• Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  An economic and community development agency.  They aim to build a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable economy across the Highland & Islands, attracting people to live, work, study and visit.  They support organisations throughout the region from community groups to larger businesses. 

• Highland Historic Environment Record

  Public record for the Highland Council area run by the Historic Environment Team (formerly the Archaeology Unit).  The site contains over 100,000 records detailing the heritage of the area from the earliest human activity to the Cold War.  New information is being added to the site all the time.

• Historic Environment Scotland

  Scotland’s public body for the historic environment.  Responsible for making & maintaining lists of nationally important: historic buildings, archaeological sites & monuments, designated landscapes, and historic battlefields.  They provide advice, support and a wide variety of resources for learning. 

• Inverness City Heritage Trust

  The Trust was set up to take a strategic view of the repair and maintenance needs of the buildings forming the historic core of the city.  They advise building owners, produce publications and help to organise events and exhibitions promoting the history of buildings and architecture in Inverness.

• National Trust for Scotland

  Scottish conservation charity funded largely by donations.  They champion Scotland’s natural, built and cultural heritage.  The NTS protects and promotes a variety of properties from coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness.  Their aim is that the countryside remains unspoilt, and accessible.

• Scottish Civic Trust

  Set up to connect people to built heritage and to take a leading role in guiding development.  Its mission is to celebrate Scotland’s built environment, take action for its improvement, and empower communities.  They aim to achieve this through three strands of activity: Celebrate, Take Action and Advocate. 

• Scottish Community Heritage Alliance

  Initiative led by and for people involved in all aspects of heritage in their communities.  It is setting up a national network to offer resources, support and advocacy on behalf of the community heritage sector.  They host an online forum to share experiences and find out relevant information

• Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

  National membership body for Scotland’s charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.  It works to support people to take voluntary action to help themselves and others, and to bring about social change.  They champion the sector, provide services and debate big issues. 

• Scottish Lime Centre Trust

  Promotes the knowledge and traditional skills required for the conservation, repair and maintenance of the historic built environment.  It works nationally and internationally to provide advice, guidance and traditional skills training for anyone dealing with a historic structure.

• SPAB Scotland

  Offer free and independent advice to professionals and homeowners about caring for historic and traditionally constructed buildings.  Their technical and research team leads and disseminates research on current conservation issues such as energy efficiency in historic buildings.

• CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS

• Institute of Historic Building Conservation

  Professional body for building conservation practitioners and historic environment experts.  It exists to establish, develop & maintain high standards of conservation practice, support protection & enhancement of historic environment, and promote heritage-led regeneration and access for all. 

• Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland

  Since 1995, the RIAS has offered accreditation in building conservation to architects as a means of meeting the requirements of funding bodies, employers and clients.  Accreditation confirms that practitioners are suitably qualified and experienced to act as lead professional in conservation work.

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

  RICS Building Conservation Accreditation provides a programme ensuring individuals affecting the historic environment understand the approach required to manage historic assets.  They also ensure accredited Surveyors possess the knowledge and skills to manage multiple stakeholders. 

• FUNDING SOURCES

• Architectural Heritage Fund

  Registered charity, to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas.  The AHF exists to help communities find enterprising ways to revitalise old building with advice, grants and loans.

• Funding Scotland

  Service by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations to provide access to up to date, high-quality information on funding opportunities in Scotland. Funding Scotland is free to any organisation in Scotland and provides a search of funding opportunities including grants, loans, prizes and other support.

• Heritage Funding Directory

  Managed by The Heritage Alliance and the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Directory is a free guide to financial support for UK related heritage projects.  The Directory’s entries cover funding sources for the conservation sector, including historic buildings, heritage, archives, churches, museums etc.

• Highland Common Good Fund

  Provides financial support for a wide range of local community activities.  Rental payments collected from businesses on Common Good land (historic burghs of Scotland) make up ten Common Good Funds which are used for projects that benefit communities in Highland. 

• Historic Environment Scotland Grants

  Offers various grants and funding schemes.  Individuals and organisations can apply for financial help with historic environment projects and works.  Grants are offered to help protect and promote the historic environment, and to train people in skills needed in this area.

• National Lottery – Heritage Fund Scotland

  On behalf of its parent body (the National Heritage Memorial Fund) the National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest dedicated funder of heritage in the UK, distributing National Lottery grants from £3,000 to £5million, funding projects that sustain and transform the UK's heritage

• Inverness Townscape Heritage Project

  The project was set up to implementation of the Inverness City Centre Development Brief.  Focusing on Academy Street the TH project co-ordinates grants for local property owners, businesses and organisations to carry out high-quality repairs and historic reinstatement to properties and spaces.

• Scottish Land Fund

  Programme supporting community organisations across Scotland to own land, buildings and other assets.  Funded by the Scottish Government, grants of up to £1 million are available.  Delivered in partnership between HIE and the National Lottery Community Fund, a team of advisers is available to help.

• LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES

  Local area information on Planning & Building Standards including: guidance, pre-applications, permission in principle, planning applications, conservation area consent, listed building consent, road construction consent, tree preservation orders, building warrant applications, fees etc.

• Highland Council

• Moray Council

• Orkney Islands Council

• Shetland Islands Council

• Western Isles Council