BEFS Bulletin 407: Joining the Dots with BEFS conference and a new blog

Revitalising High Streets
BEFS has received approval from the House of Commons Select Committee for Housing, Communities and Local Government to publish its evidence statement on a recent inquiry into revitalising high streets. The inquiry sought views on the clustering of similar retail services such as betting shops and vape shops, the effectiveness of local government powers in supporting improvement, and the implementation of the Pride in Place Strategy. BEFS submission drew attention to growing concerns about fire safety risk in the Historic Environment Working Group, and provided case study examples of positive change in Scottish high streets and town centres. (BEFS 02/09/2026)

Consultation Response: Scottish building safety levy – technical consultation (RIAS 19/10/2026)

Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2027-28: Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee
The Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee launched a call for views into proposed Scottish Government spending priorities over the 2026-31 term of Parliament and the longer-term implications for the Scottish economy. BEFS shared six overlapping spending priorities drawn from the 2026 Manifesto, including capital investment in building repair and maintenance, further action on skills capacity, and implementation of a retrofit delivery plan. BEFS also called on the Committee to explore Scottish Government commitments on preventative spend as they scrutinise Scottish Ministers on budgetary allocations. (BEFS 23/10/2026)

BEFS Associate Member Scotland’s Regeneration Forum (SURF) submitted a response to this consultation, which is available here (SURF October 2026)

Impacts website (Scottish Futures Trust October 2026)

Scottish Empty Homes Partnership Annual Report 2025-26 (SEHP October 2026)

Integrating Land Use Planning, Place, and Community Wealth Building (Improvement Service October 2026)

Building a Scotland Ready for the Future (Climate Emergency Response Group October 2026)

Scottish Planner – Scotland’s Urban Future  (RTPI October 2026)

Life in the UK 2026 (Carnegie United Kingdom Trust 21/10/2026)

The Mackintosh Building: the way ahead (The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society 22/10/2026)

Sectoral Skills Assessments (Skills Development Scotland 26/10/2026)

Climate Action Skills Mapping for the Historic Environment (HES 30/10/2026)

For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar

SHBT – Memory Palace: What Can We Learn from Intangible Cultural Heritage?
Date & Time: Wednesday 11 November 2026; 6-8pm
Location: Riddles Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
Are we making the most of the social media appeal of our iconic buildings? Edinburgh knows the pressures of overtourism, driven in part by social media, but the same tools can educate and engage, reaching new audiences near and far. In an age of competitive visibility, can social media give Scotland’s historic buildings an edge? The speakers at this event approach the topic from design research, writing and the traditional arts.

A&DS – Demystifying AI in Architectural Design
Date & Time: Thursday 12 November 2026; 12:30-5pm
Location: A&DS:SpACE, 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9EF
How is AI changing architecture, and what does it mean for Scotland’s design sector?
Join Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) for a thought-provoking discussion on the opportunities and challenges of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). Hear from leading academics at UCL Bartlett and practitioners at Arup on how AI is reshaping design, workflows and professional practice. Their insights will shape a wider conversation about how AI can help to innovate and enhance productivity for smaller and medium practices in Scotland. A panel featuring Graham Ross of Austin-Smith:Lord and others will bring the conversation into a Scottish context.

Europa Nostra – Exploring the Elizabeth Tower
Date & Time: Thursday 12 November 2026; 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Online
November’s webinar showcases the restoration of the one of the most recognisable buildings in the world, a 2026 Europa Nostra Award Winner for Conservation and Adaptive Reuse. The Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, is the centrepiece of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Westminster. The Tower, designed by Sir Charles Barry and A.W.N. Pugin, has been restored to its original glory while inside, the building has been completely reserviced with access improvements, plaster repairs and redecoration in breathable paint systems. Join Andrew Dobson, Partner and Project Architect from Purcell, for an in depth, behind the scenes exploration of this remarkable restoration. You’ll hear how the most famous clock tower in the world has been preserved for future generations, and how cutting-edge digital recording of the work has created a blueprint for future maintenance.

RSA Debate – Soft Power: Challenges, Opportunities & Solutions
Date & Time: Saturday 14 November 2026; 9am-4pm
Location: French Institute of Scotland, West Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RN
RSA Fellows and those working in culture, heritage, diplomacy and international relations are invited to this full-day event exploring the future of soft power. As global power dynamics shift, the nature and exercise of soft power is evolving. This event will explore how governments, cultural institutions, educational organisations, heritage bodies and civil society can continue to shape international relationships and contribute to global dialogue. Particular attention will be given to the role of culture and heritage in shaping international perceptions, responding to global challenges, and strengthening connections between countries and communities. The RSA gratefully acknowledge the speakers, sponsors and individual donors whose support has made this event possible.

Edinburgh Architectural Association – Living Well in the City
Date & Time: Monday 16 – Thursday 19 November 2026
Location: Edinburgh Futures Institute, 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9EF
Join the EAA at SpACE for a week of exhibitions, talks, workshops and conversations exploring what it means to live well in the city. Discover the 2026 EAA Awards shortlist and join discussions on housing, sustainability and Edinburgh’s future.

Heritage Network – Power from the Past: Heritage’s Role in Renewable Energy
Date & Time: Tuesday 17 November 2026; 2:30-4:30pm
Location: Online
Industrial heritage sites across the UK are increasingly being utilised to support the generation and usage of renewable energy. However, bringing renewable energy into heritage environments can raise complex questions: how can we protect and preserve historic places while adapting them for a changing climate? How can the renewable energy sector work together with heritage, rather than compete or restrict one another? And how can these projects contribute to the long-term resilience and regeneration of local communities? This event will explore these questions through practical case studies of heritage and renewable energy working together to support net zero goals, heritage-led regeneration, and preservation of industrial heritage sites.

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – ReACH Church Heritage Action Group
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 November 2026; 11:30am-3pm
Location: HES Archives, John Sinclair House, 16 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh, EH8 9NX
Many churches care for significant collections, often with the support of dedicated volunteers and local communities. At the same time, an increasing number of churches are exploring new futures in which their heritage and collections play a central role. This meeting will bring together colleagues from across the heritage, museum and church sectors to discuss how we can better support community-led approaches to collections management, care and interpretation. The session will include project updates, short guest presentations, and facilitated discussions exploring both the challenges and opportunities faced by church communities caring for collections.

Heritage Network – In Over Our Heads: Heritage in the Water
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 November 2026; 9am-1pm
Location: Online
Join Heritage Network for a free half-day conference exploring marine heritage and how to plan a successful regeneration project. What do you need to consider when working with marine heritage? What risks and hidden costs should you plan for? And what makes structures in marine and freshwater environments so unique? This session is ideal for community groups and heritage organisations who are planning, managing, or already working with historic marine structures—especially those that are fully or partially submerged.

Heritage Debate 2026: How Can Heritage Stay Relevant Today?
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 November 2026; 11am-1pm
Location: Online
Now in its 17th year, The Heritage Alliance’s annual Heritage Debate brings sector leaders, professionals and volunteers together to share cross-sector insights, make connections and find solutions to the key challenges facing heritage today. This year’s debate will be asking: How can heritage stay relevant today? This will be a national conversation about the role of heritage in public life; what makes heritage matter, how well do we understand its relevance to people’s lives, and if we are communicating effectively with our audiences what does heritage have to offer? Explore what heritage means to people today, how to share more relevant and engaging stories with audiences, and what’s at risk if we don’t.

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – ReACH Church Heritage Action Group
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 November 2026; 11:30am-3pm
Location: HES Archives, John Sinclair House, 16 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh, EH8 9NX
Many churches care for significant collections, often with the support of dedicated volunteers and local communities. At the same time, an increasing number of churches are exploring new futures in which their heritage and collections play a central role. This meeting will bring together colleagues from across the heritage, museum and church sectors to discuss how we can better support community-led approaches to collections management, care and interpretation. The session will include project updates, short guest presentations, and facilitated discussions exploring both the challenges and opportunities faced by church communities caring for collections.

Scottish Castles Association Archive – Live Launch & Fundraising Dinner
Date & Time: Wednesday 18 November 2026; 7-11pm
Location: Dundas Castle, Edinburgh EH30 9SP
Join the Scottish Castles Association for a special evening at the historic Dundas Castle to celebrate the launch of their new Archive: a digital resource preserving Scotland’s castle heritage for generations to come. Speakers will be Professor Richard Oram, who will be exploring the historical significance of the Archive’s collections and Simon Forder, who will be discussing modern approaches to documenting and recording Scotland’s castles. Tickets are £175 per person. This price includes a drinks reception and a three-course dinner with wine plus a £60 contribution to the Archive, directly supporting the preservation and digitisation of Scotland’s castle heritage.

Place Matters – Community Power in Place Based Work
Time: Thursday 19 November 2026; 1-2:30pm
Location: Online
How do you move community power from intention to action? In this session, Jenny Fribbins from Barking & Dagenham Collective and Andy Hyde, from Regenerative Futures Fund will share how they approach shifting power in their own work. The two organisations have different histories and different ways of working, and both are committed to putting power, including control of resources, into the hands of communities.

Glasgow Archaeological Society – The Monkland and Kirkintilloch: its place in the development of the Scottish public railway network
Date & Time: Thursday 19 November 2026; 7:30-9:30pm
Location: The Humanities Research Hub, 1 University Gardens, Glasgow G12 8QH
Join Glasgow Archaeological Society for their 2026-27 lecture series. Lectures are free for all to attend and there is no need to book in advance. This lecture will be delivered by Don Martin and will focus on The Monkland and Kirkintilloch.

Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Archaeology Conference
Date & Time: Saturday 21 November 2026; 9am-5pm
Location: Queen Margaret University, Drive, Musselburgh EH21 6UU
This is the annual conference organised by the City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council and Scottish Borders Council. It provides an important opportunity to hear and discuss first hand accounts of the archaeological fieldwork and research being undertaken in Edinburgh, East Lothian,
Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. Tickets £30 each, Buffet Lunch £15. Buffet lunch must be pre-booked. Conference only tickets available on the day.

Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversations – Conference 2026: Sharing Our Strengths
Date & Time: Thursday 26 November 2026; 9:30am-4:25pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ; and online
Come along to a full day of inspiring presentations, lively discussion, hands‑on workshops, and plenty of chances to connect with peers from across the country. People are at the heart of community heritage, and the health of our cultural, built, natural, and archaeological heritage is intricately tied to the passion, dedication, expertise and energy of the people who care for it. But in the face of ever-growing pressures, how can organisations collaborate and share their skills and experiences in order to create sustainable futures for community heritage? Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversation 2026 will feature presentations and workshops that highlight how collaboration – across communities, generations, cultures, or sectors – creates fresh opportunities for learning and growth, as well as providing attendees with a chance to reflect on their own support strengths and needs.

AHSS Strathclyde Group – Glasgow’s Heritage with Niall Murphy
Date & Time: Thursday 26 November 2026; 7pm-9pm
Location: St. Andrews West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP and Online
Niall is Director at Glasgow City Heritage Trust and Chair of the Govanhill Baths Building Preservation Trust. He’s also a trustee of BEFS and co-chair of the Glasgow Built Heritage Commission. His evenings with the AHSS are always entertaining, insightful and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Glasgow’s built heritage.

SHBT – Price of Admission: Sustainable Economic Models for Scotland’s Built Heritage
Date & Time: Wednesday 2 December 2026; 6-8pm
Location: Riddles Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PG
Should we have a right to access heritage, much as we have a right to roam?
And do we ignore the economic case for restoration at our peril, weighing short-term returns against long-term benefit? From churches losing public access to the buildings we cannot afford to keep. The speakers at this event approach the topic from conservation, politics and technical research.

Planning Aid Scotland – Planning with communities: sharing practice from across the UK
Date & Time: Thursday 3 December 2026, 1pm–2.15pm
Location: Online
To mark World Town Planning Day and this year’s theme, ‘Great communities are built on planning’, this webinar brings together Planning Aid Scotland, Planning Aid Wales, Community Places (Northern Ireland) and Planning Aid England to share real examples of how each nation supports participation in planning. Through a series of case studies from across the UK, speakers will explore how each nation helps ensure that local people’s lived experience is at the heart of planning decisions. This event is open to anyone interested in community engagement, planning and creating places that better reflect the needs of local communities.

AHSS Forth & Borders Group – Reginald Fairlie: Church Design in early twentieth-century Scotland
Date & Time: Monday 7 December 2026; 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible) and Online
Dr Rory Lamb explores the ecclesiastical work of Dr Reginald Fairlie (1883-1952), one of the last figures in the historicist tradition in Scotland and remembered today as architect of the National Library of Scotland. Fairlie’s churches were characterised by simplicity and fine craftsmanship, rooted in his deep love of Scotland’s history, landscape, and religious traditions, particularly in the liturgy and customs of his own Catholic faith. Tickets: £6 (students £2) and should be booked in advance for both live and streamed events.

Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance – Overheating in Traditional Buildings: Causes, Mitigation and Case Study
Date & Time: Friday 11 December; 10-11:30am
Location: Online
This webinar explores overheating in traditional buildings, including causes, mitigation measures and a practical case study. As summers grow hotter and heatwaves last longer, overheating is a growing concern, affecting the health and wellbeing of occupants. Retrofit strategies often overlook it, and some well-intentioned measures can even make it worse. Understanding the risks and mitigation options is essential to managing it successfully and avoiding unintended consequences. This webinar gives an overview of what overheating risk is, why it matters, and how to manage it without compromising a building’s character or performance, followed by a practical case study from Blenheim Palace.

Glasgow Archaeological Society – Member Research and Student Showcase
Date & Time: Thursday 17 December; 7:30-9:30pm
Location: The Humanities Research Hub, 1 University Gardens, Glasgow G12 8QH
Join Glasgow Archaeological Society for their 2026-27 lecture series. Lectures are free for all to attend and there is no need to book in advance. This event will feature Fraser Hunter discussing The New Roman Scotland Exhibition at the National Museums of Scotland, Margaret & Douglas MacInnes discussing In the Glen of the Dark Goddess – History and Archaeology of Upper Glen Lochay, Killin, and a Student Showcase featuring a paper by a recent MSc graduate in Archaeology at UofG.

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