Scottish Historic Buildings Trust are seeking to appoint a Head of Finance.
About Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT)
SHBT is a charitable Building Preservation Trust active across Scotland. The Trust is dedicated to regenerating significant historic buildings which are at risk, for the benefit of others, through conservation and sustainable re-use.
For almost fifty years, the charity has played a unique role in preserving and promoting the nation’s architectural heritage. The charity collaborates with the third sector, local authorities, communities, and specialists to preserve and restore significant historic buildings across Scotland.
With a small expert team and no core public funding, they have restored over 30 buildings and raised more than £40 million. They have retained a portfolio of historic properties which are run commercially and for the benefit of their local communities. The team of 18 FTE has specialist skills in building preservation, fundraising, community engagement, heritage communications, grant writing, project management and property operations.
SHBT also bring expertise in event management, cultural interpretation and in developing and delivering educational programmes. SHBT undertakes largescale projects directly (e.g., Leith Custom House and Bernat Klein Studio, Scottish Borders), while also (and increasingly) providing consultancy services to other non-profit historic building owners. SHBT is based in Riddle’s Court in Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Old Town in a sixteenth-century palace which was restored in 2017.
The Role
This is a senior and strategically important role within SHBT and will be part of the Senior Management Team, reporting to the Director. The role carries a high level of autonomy and covers a broad remit including budgeting, forecasting, financial performance reporting and the preparation of annual charity accounts and working with the Trust’s external auditors.
The Head of Finance is responsible for the day-to-day management of finances for the charity (and its subsidiary trading arm) and will ensure the efficient management of the accounting functions and delivery of all aspects of financial administration operating with high levels of personal integrity. The company secretarial responsibilities require the appointee to ensure that all statutory reporting and compliance required for the limited companies are fulfilled in a timely and efficient manner.
The Head of Finance will assist the Director in the smooth and efficient operation and financial reporting of the Trust. This will include:
- Preparation of monthly Management Accounts, Budgets and Cashflow and annual Charity Accounts and reporting to the Finance & Audit Committee and Management Board.
- Delivery of the finance function of the Trust, ensuring financial records and reporting are accurate and complete, and produced on a timely basis.
- Ensuring compliance with appropriate financial policies and procedures and ensuring there are robust controls and checks in place for the management of the financial functions of SHBT, complying with OSCR requirements for charities and Companies House as a company limited by guarantee.
- Completing the on-line appointments and resignations of Directors as required.
- Working with external auditors and payroll providers to ensure the timely completion of accounts and audit and payroll provision.
- Developing and establishing the systems, processes and procedures required to ensure SHBT has an efficient and effective finance function and proactively provide ideas for improvement.
- Manage the Bookkeeper and have overall accountability for their deliverables – including all receipt and payment related matters, processing invoices, fee claims, VAT returns, Gift Aid claims. staff expenses and grant drawdown requests.
- Working with Trust staff to provide all financial information and monitor expenditure against budgets and ensure that all finance procedures are followed ensuring that training is provided where required on any finance processes
- Take a lead on Project finance to include grant reporting, budget control and cash flow.
Accountability
The appointee will also take on some company secretarial work for SHBT and its subsidiary companies.
You will be directly responsible to the Director on a day-to-day basis, and accountable to the Finance & Audit Committee and Management Board (Charity Trustees). You will be responsible for the Bookkeeper and will liaise with other staff as part of the Senior Management Team setting Financial Procedures and Processes and providing financial information as well as Project Staff (on project finances and grant applications and claims), Property Staff (property financial management).
Person Specification
Education and Training
- Qualified/Part-Qualified Accountant/ICAS/ICAEW/ACCA Qualified, or applicants with significant experience in a finance role or similar. Part-Qualified applicants will be supported on the completion of their professional accountancy qualification
- Proven experience of working in a charity and of charitable accounting procedures and preparation of charitable accounts
- Relevant CPD training and professional development in charity finance
Job Experience & Skills
- Demonstrable track record of managing all aspects of finance for a charity, or equivalent organisation and proven experience of working within a finance role at a similar level.
- Proven experience in developing systems, in-depth financial analysis and account production and maximising the potential of accounting and supporting systems producing Financial Reports and Papers at Board level which are clear and understandable to less experienced reviewers and non-finance professionals.
- Knowledge of company secretarial responsibilities.
- Experience of capital project finance.
- Strong technical accountancy and financial management skills with expertise in online accounting systems (SHBT use Xero).
- Knowledge and experience of tax and VAT process and procedures.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills especially Excel, Outlook and Word.
- An ability to manage creditor and debtor relationships in a positive and engaging manner.
Personal Qualities
- A creative mind – you will often need to find new approaches to unexpected problems, which can be fun as well as stimulating.
- An ability to remain calm under pressure and to work at pace against changing requirements and priorities, many of these to challenging deadlines.
- Proactive self-starter with excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Flexibility to work outside of usual business hours by mutual agreement (e.g., evening or weekend at community engagement event).
- An interest in historic buildings and cultural heritage.
- IT and practical skills beyond standard office suite.
- An exceptional ability to prioritise, manage workload and work to deadlines.
- Good attention to detail and the ability to produce work with a high level of accuracy and ability to spot errors.
- Strong problem-solving skills as well as a can-do attitude, the ability to listen to and understand requirements as well as share ideas.
- Excellent communication skills, ability to interact with people at all levels and convey technical financial information to non-specialists in a confident and courteous manner.
- Comfortable managing multiple work streams simultaneously.
View the Recruitment Brochure for this Appointment
Terms and Conditions
Due to the nature of this post requiring attendance at Board and other meetings, there will be a requirement to work some evenings and weekends.
Pension Scheme: The Trust runs a qualifying Workplace Pension Scheme with Royal London with 5% company and 4% employee contributions. If you are eligible, you will be automatically enrolled into the scheme after 3 months.
Holidays: 20 days per calendar year (full-time equivalent), increasing by 1 day per year for each year of employment with the Trust, up to a maximum of 25 days, plus 9 days local/statutory holidays (FTE). The Trust usually closes for two weeks over the Christmas period and you will be expected to use some of your own holiday allowance in addition to any additional discretionary days which are offered.
Probation: There will be a probationary period of up to six months after which time the appointment will be confirmed subject to a satisfactory performance review.
How to Apply
Interested parties should submit their cover letter outlining their suitability for the job including motivation for applying and Curriculum Vitae to sam@shbt.org.uk.
Please note interviews will be in person on Wednesday 27 May 2026 at Riddle’s Court, Edinburgh.
Ideal starting date for the successful candidate will be early September 2026, or earlier if possible.
Salary: c. £54,000, pro-rata
Status: Part-time (between 21 and 28 hours per week)
Location: You will initially be based within the Trust’s property at Custom House, 67 Commercial Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LH. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements are available.
Closing Date: 12am on Monday 11 May 2026
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What built environment commitments are the main parties making in the run-up to next month’s Scottish Parliament elections?
The 2026 Scottish Parliament election is fast approaching. If elected to form the next Scottish Government, what changes are the main parties planning to make with regard to the existing built and historic environment?
To support advocacy around the 2026 BEFS Manifesto for the Built Environment, we are actively tracking the built environment policy commitments and positions that political parties are setting out in the lead up to next month’s elections.
This blog is a selection of key party commitments which relate to the five core themes of the BEFS Manifesto: culture and heritage; net zero and the climate emergency; repair, maintenance and retrofit; training and skills; and planning and place-making.
It directly quotes from party manifestos, and is far from exhaustive; readers may wish to review relevant sections of the six party manifestos for full details and additional commitments. You can also find direct links to party manifestos at the end of the blog.
BEFS Hustings and Next Steps:
Representatives of the six main parties appearing in national opinion polls, including former Scottish Ministers Paul McLennan MSP and Patrick Harvie MSP, joined the BEFS Built Environment Hustings Event on 7 April in Edinburgh (pictured). The panel’s engagement with BEFS Member questions indicated good levels of cross-party support for exploring a number of BEFS Manifesto policy recommendations.
BEFS will be working hard across the next term of Parliament to continue to advocate for the policy changes Members and stakeholders told us they would like to see. The BEFS Manifesto will inform the consultations and Committee business we engage with, as well as the relationships we will build with new and existing MSPs across parties, and the messages we will be sharing with policy-makers at every opportunity we get!
For more on BEFS policy influencing, please:
- Read the 2026 BEFS Manifesto, which is available in three versions: the full document, an executive summary, and an accessible edition;
- Visit the consultations page of this website for briefings and evidence submissions by BEFS;
- Sign-up to the fortnightly BEFS bulletin for regular news on policy developments.
The following party manifesto extracts are ordered a-z by party name. We hope you find the summary useful – and you can contact Derek or Jonna if you would like to get involved in amplifying BEFS Manifesto recommendations to policy-makers.
BEFS Manifesto Theme 1: Culture & Heritage
Reform UK: “Scotland is blessed with a number of business sectors where we are genuinely world class owing to our geography, science and people. These 10 natural clusters of excellence comprise: Financial Services, Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, Food & Drink, Tourism & Hospitality, Creative Industries, Life Sciences, Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine. It’s time now to focus our resources in education, skills and training around these 10 clusters to get our young people and our adults tooled up for this new, modern economy.” (p15)
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party: “We will: Support our thriving culture sector with a new Culture Act that guarantees multi-year funding for cultural bodies… Amalgamate some of Scotland’s culture quangos so that funds are directed towards the frontline rather than spent on back-office costs… Overhaul the SNP’s scandal-ridden heritage quango so that it can do the job it’s supposed to – look after our historic buildings.” (p31)
Scottish Greens: “We want to… Bring forward a Culture Bill… to rebuild our cultural sector, including provision of ongoing and long term multi-year funding… Invest in our grassroots venues and community spaces by introducing a stadium tax… Support greater community involvement in the management of Scotland’s historic and cultural sites, through the creation of community oversight boards, particularly in rural and island communities.” (p160)
Scottish Labour Party: “Scottish Labour will… Reform Creative Scotland, improving transparency and accountability… Designate a creative capital fund, to deliver financial support to upgrade and protect venues across the country.” (p54) “Scottish Labour is determined to deliver excellence for visitors, working in partnership to build a tourism strategy that …Protects Scotland’s historic assets, reforming Historic Environment Scotland so it is fit for purpose and ensuring funding is properly used to maintain Scottish sites.” (p84-85)
Scottish Liberal Democrats: “We will… Promote creative industries and culture by: Taking away the needless bureaucracy faced by those applying for funding through Creative Scotland and taking forward the recommendations of the Leitch Review… Tackling the big city bias that exists in how culture money is distributed… Maintaining free access to national museums and galleries…. Champion responsible and sustainable tourism, recognising it as a key industry and incorporate it into our industrial and skills strategies.” (p22)
Scottish National Party: “By the end of the next parliament, we will consult to develop a Culture and Arts Bill, learning lessons from other European countries with similar legislation… We will continue to deliver a long-term funding settlement for the arts of an additional £100 million annually for culture by 2028-29… In addition, we will ensure that at least a further £50 million is delivered for culture investment by the end of the next parliament… we will review the structures of Historic Environment Scotland and take any necessary steps to ensure that the recent work of the new Chair is supported.” (p44-5)
BEFS Manifesto Theme 2: Climate Emergency & Net Zero
Reform UK: “Reform will: Scrap all SNP Net Zero related targets, subsidies and quangos… Revise and simplify the planning system to fast-track permissions for hydro, micro-hydro, geothermal, open-cast coal mining, and electrical network infrastructure, especially on brownfield or industrial sites, while retaining protections for Scotland’s invaluable natural beauty, and taking into account local communities… Require every related policy decision to include an Energy Price Impact Statement so that there is transparency for the public about the effect on their energy bills.” (p13)
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party: “We will: Redirect the SNP’s budget they spend to meet their net zero targets and put this funding towards building new houses and upgrading our infrastructure instead (p42)… Overhaul Scottish Government energy policy so that its main objective is to lower costs for households and businesses, rather than reaching arbitrary net zero targets… Abolish the SNP’s unaffordable target for reaching net zero by 2045.” (p46)
Scottish Greens: “…our top priorities [include]… Get Scotland back on track to deliver net zero by 2045, launching a coordinated climate action delivery programme to drive down emissions from transport, energy, farming and housing… Protect communities from floods, storms, heatwaves and coastal erosion by taking preventative actions now, and establish a Climate Adaptation Fund with sufficient financial resources … Drive down emissions from Scotland’s land use by introducing a well-designed Carbon Emissions Land Tax.” (p4) “…managing freshwater resources will become an increasingly important part of our adaptation to climate change.” (p143)
Scottish Labour Party: “Scottish Labour will… [promote] nature-based mitigations which restore freshwater habitats and reduce the impact of flooding… take the action needed to achieve our net zero by 2045 ambitions… We will: Create a national warm homes programme, with one-stop centres in communities to advise on new technologies, access to domestic solar, energy efficiency measures, financing, and trusted local installers to help support local jobs… Expand the use of community heat and power networks, working with local authorities, communities and local developers… Support the expansion of renewable energy generation in Scotland.” (p75/76)
Scottish Liberal Democrats: “We will… Unlock the potential of renewable power… by: Quadrupling the amount of energy generated from solar in this Parliament, unlocking investment that will roll it out across rooftops… Take the action needed now for Scotland to achieve net zero by 2045, including: Setting out a clear, detailed and stable roadmap to net zero … Expanding the market for climate-friendly products and services with steadily higher criteria in public procurement policy…. Putting tackling climate change and delivering a just transition at the heart of a new skills strategy.” (p71) “…rainproof communities and slow the flow of water… to reduce sewage and flooding.” (p77)
Scottish National Party: “Our Climate Change Plan sets out actions from now until 2040 to reduce emissions, seize the opportunities of net zero for new jobs and economic growth, improve our infrastructure and, improve our energy security. It will deliver warmer homes, cleaner air and a more resilient energy system… We will deliver on the £500 million Just Transition Fund to support workers and businesses making the change to a sustainable future… We will expand the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) to £15 million.” (p23) “We will allocate additional investment of £15 million in flood mitigation and prevention.” (p63)
BEFS Manifesto Theme 3: Repair, Maintenance & Retrofit
Reform UK: “The SNP have saddled the private rental sector with regulation after regulation, driving down supply and driving up rents. The shortage has been stark for smaller properties essential for young people, with the proportion of 25-34 year-olds forced to live with their parents having increased by almost 40% since the SNP came to power… Reform UK will repeal the SNP’s regulations for all new tenancies, while keeping the terms of existing tenancies unchanged, making homes both plentiful and more affordable for the Scots who need them most.” (p17)
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party: “Substantial sums of public money are currently being spent on providing loans and grants for heat pumps… We would protect funding for energy efficiency upgrades but redirect the cash spent on heat pumps and put it towards building homes and infrastructure instead. Other savings would be achieved by halting expensive green upgrades that are being planned to public buildings. At a time of stretched budgets we should not be asking the taxpayer to cough up for expensive net zero upgrades to our buildings and instead urge public sector bodies to look at cheaper alternatives so that we can invest the saved cash in infrastructure that needs fixing.” (p41)
Scottish Greens: “We want to… Bring back the Heat in Buildings (Scotland) Bill to set a clear routemap for decarbonising Scotland’s homes and buildings by 2045; to include a Clean Heat Standard and target dates for compliance… Pay for people to install heat pumps, solar panels with linked battery storage and other green heating technologies on their homes, with help available for homeowners to remove fossil fuel boilers.” (p12) “… Make it easier for people who live in tenements and other housing blocks to handle repairs, maintenance and energy efficiency improvements by reviewing tenement housing laws; making owners’ associations a legal requirement.” (p138)
Scottish Labour Party: “Scottish Labour will improve the quality of Scotland’s existing housing stock by: Improving tenement maintenance arrangements, expediting progress on reform recommendations… Speeding up cladding remediation, expediating a workable “Responsible Developers’ Scheme”, reviewing the Building Safety Levy, and setting clear targets and legal requirements for delivery of remediation… Widen eligibility for energy-efficiency support, dropping the age threshold for the Warmer Homes Scotland scheme to 70 and increasing rural grant uplifts by £500.” (p72)
Scottish Liberal Democrats: “We will… Set a timescale and milestones to remove dangerous Grenfell-style cladding from all Scottish buildings.”(p54) “Cut energy bills and emissions, and tackle fuel poverty, by: Bringing forward a Fairer Heating Bill, accelerating the rollout of smart climate-friendly heating systems, and taking a fabric first approach to retrofitting… Making it easier for people in shared buildings to agree to upgrades and improvements, adopting… proposals for every tenement to have an owners’ association, reserve fund for repairs and periodic building quality inspections… Promoting alternative financial models for retrofitting and expanding the financial products available.” (p70)
Scottish National Party: “We will invest at least £10 billion in capital spending – funding new and renewed buildings and equipment – over the next ten years.” (p17) “…We are committed to reforming the Tenement (Scotland) Act 2004 and Property Factors (Scotland) Act 2011 by the end of the next parliament, to better meet the needs of relevant owners and tenants to enable repairs, maintenance and enhancement of such properties… We have shown clear leadership in the heat in buildings sector, demonstrated not least by our grant and loan schemes. We will take forward our Heat in Building Bill to support homeowners, landlords and tenants to transition to clean heating in a fair and affordable way.” (p33)
BEFS Manifesto Theme 4: Training & Skills
Reform UK: “Reform will re-allocate funding from the bloated welfare budget to create a joined up Scottish Skills Strategy which will: Reboot the Apprenticeship Levy funding model and guarantee every penny is invested into apprenticeships linked to colleges… Establish a First Job Passport to ensure every young person moves seamlessly from school into further education or apprenticeship or vocational training or employment… Examine a new pathway for S3/S4 students into alternative, technical education based on the successful Newlands Junior College.” (p15)
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party: “We would introduce a new Skills Bill that would establish a permanent framework for cooperation between businesses and our further and higher educational establishments, so that skills gaps can be swiftly identified by companies. Our colleges and universities can then adapt their courses to meet demand, meaning these skills gaps are quickly addressed. For colleges, this would mean providing them with extra support to deliver the courses our economy requires.” (p69)
Scottish Greens: “The Scottish Greens will deliver a Green Industrial Mission… Plan the workforce transition into Green Jobs by improving data gathering and publishing an annual Green Jobs and Skills Outlook, linking infrastructure investment to workforce planning and inclusion… Establish regional Green Skills Hubs linking colleges, employers and unions to guaranteed routes into low-carbon work… Double Just Transition funding to £1bn… Streamline Scotland’s apprenticeship system… to deliver modern and graduate apprenticeships in key sectors.” (p36-38)
Scottish Labour Party: “Scottish Labour will give colleges a clear purpose by… Reforming college funding so that it delivers stable multi-year funding which is linked to employment outcomes and apprenticeships… Creating Apprenticeship Centres of Excellence in colleges around the country, so that key industries have the pipeline of cutting-edge skills they need to grow (p41).We will… Train the construction workforce needed to build homes, prioritising construction skills in our new apprenticeships, and within new Skills Accelerators so that each region has the workers needed to deliver local housing targets.” (p68).
Scottish Liberal Democrats: “We will… Establish a new skills strategy, mapping where the gaps are and will be, and fitting training and education systems around it, so that the country secures the skills it needs… [including in] engineering and construction… Inspire people to do apprenticeships as a route to high-wage high-skill jobs by: Ensuring pupils can do structured work experience, summer placements or foundation apprenticeships… Matching apprenticeships to labour market demand and local economic priorities…” (p19/20) “…Securely funding colleges, building on the extra £70m secured by Scottish Liberal Democrats in the 2026/27 Budget.” (p42)
Scottish National Party: “We will deliver a single national skills plan for Scotland, aligned to economic need and designed to drive productivity and support the green and digital transitions… We will deliver the two reviews we have promised with the [Colleges and Universities] sector on the Shape of Future Funding Framework for universities and the College Sector of the Future Programme… We will increase the number of apprenticeships to deliver 150,000 over the Parliament… We will introduce an Apprenticeship Accelerator Grant, backed by the Apprenticeship Levy.” (p58-59)
BEFS Manifesto Theme 5: Planning & Place-making
Reform UK: “We will build on the concept of Local Place Plans to allow local people more say in the design and form of their communities, even down to street level, through a review of current planning laws. We will cease any new building regulation and stop local planners getting in the way of sensible local development. These policies will ensure that our town and city centres come alive again, buzzing with families, pensioners, workers and visitors combined.” (p17)
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party: “We will: Establish new specialist planning hubs across the country in order to reduce waiting times for planning applications by sharing knowledge on how to deal with different projects (p28)… Scrap the SNP’s planning framework, with councils setting their own planning strategies so that they can build the homes they need.” (p42) “… Stop Scottish Government ministers from overturning planning decisions made by local people.” (p74)
Scottish Greens: “The Scottish Greens will… Strengthen compulsory purchase and compulsory sale powers so councils and communities can bring vacant and derelict land and buildings back into use… Support councils to revive town centres by repurposing empty commercial property into workspace, cultural and community uses… Require Local Place Plans to be honoured by local planning authorities… and support communities to develop plans where none exist… Introduce a community right of appeal in planning where decisions depart from agreed plans or officer recommendations.” (p118)
Scottish Labour Party: “Scottish Labour will… [support] development across the country by… Overhauling the planning system, reforming NPF4 so that decision-makers can take account of the economic potential of projects, designating housing as critical infrastructure … Speeding up planning decisions, transforming the planning hub into a national planning agency, with expertise and specialist teams that local authorities can draw on.” (p31) “… ensure local people can create good places to live by: Delivering fair funding for local services, agreeing a new funding formula for local government… Passing a Local Democracy Act.” (p52)
Scottish Liberal Democrats: “We will… [be] Developing a programme for a new generation of net zero new towns, prioritising from the outset features such as rail links, biodiversity, district heating, and the 20-minute neighbourhood… Reforming planning to make it simpler to redevelop long-term derelict buildings.” (p52) “…Modernise the planning system, making it less arduous and delivering badly-needed infrastructure and economic growth, including by investing in digital tools that help speed up decision-making.” (p56) “…Piloting and launching a major project to integrate AI into all local authority planning departments.” (p59)
Scottish National Party: “We will continue to take a strategic approach to delivering our regeneration ambitions, including revitalising town centres and encouraging town centre living, addressing the blight of vacant and derelict land.” (p38) “…We will further simplify regulation and reform the planning system, speeding up decision making, including reforming Compulsory Purchase Orders and exploring Compulsory Sales orders… We will also take steps to reverse the decline in professional planners working in public authorities.” (p40) “… we will explore: Rural planning reform, improving permitted development rights.” (p41)
Party Manifestos: Direct Links
(a-z by title)
Change With Fairness At Its Heart: Scottish Liberal Democrats Manifesto 2026
Get Scotland Working: The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Manifesto 2026
Let’s Demand Better: 2026 Scottish Greens Manifesto
On Scotland’s Side: SNP Manifesto 2026
Reform UK: Manifesto for Scotland 2026
Scotland Needs Change: 2026 Scottish Labour Manifesto
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Malini Chakrabarty joined BEFS in 2024, bringing a wealth of diverse experience gained from previous roles with organisations such as the NHS, Glasgow Life, and the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB), alongside her thriving career as a freelance designer.
Her comprehensive background spans public engagement, arts, human rights, media, and heritage. Malini’s educational journey exemplifies her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact, holding a postgraduate degree in Filmmaking and Media Arts from the University of Glasgow, specialising in Evidence in Public Policy from the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, and a postgraduate degree in Media Research from the University of Stirling.
In her role as a Changemaker for OSCH, a project by Glasgow Life Museums, Malini demonstrated her passion for anti-racism and inclusivity in heritage sectors. Currently serving as a Trustee for the Glasgow Media Access Center, she advocates for media accessibility and inclusivity in the arts.
Malini’s professional motivation lies in the transformative power of effective communication. As an advocate for communicating information through creativity and innovation, she believes in enhancing the information experience for all. Her commitment extends to improving web and digital experiences, with a focus on the blend of accessibility and aesthetics.
Beyond her professional commitments, Malini finds joy in exploring art galleries, museums, and the breathtaking natural landscapes of Scotland. Her enthusiasm for stargazing and astrophotography reflects a deep passion for the wonders of this planet and humanity. Rooted in a profound connection to Scotland’s built environment and rich heritage, Malini proudly considers this vibrant place her chosen home.
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Jonna Meredith joined BEFS in 2023, having previously conducted research in academia and the private sector.
Jonna has a postgraduate research degree in sociolinguistics from The University of Edinburgh. Her research foci include micro and macro approaches to policy, national movements, and political theory.
Previously Jonna has worked with national and regional policy, social access, and sustainability in both the natural and built environment. She has experience in social media management, as well as synthesising and translating governmental policy for accessibility. She brings an interest and experience in Ethics, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI) work to BEFS.
Jonna is interested in how policy can support increased participation in the heritage sector by minoritised communities, particularly those minoritised on the basis of geography, race and ethnicity, disability, and socio-economic status. She is motivated by questions of what heritage entails, who gets to define the term, and whose heritage is considered worth nurturing.
Email: jmeredith@befs.org.uk
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Derek Rankine joined BEFS in early 2025 as Head of Policy and Strategy.
Derek previously worked for SURF – Scotland’s Regeneration Forum, a charity and membership network, with which he developed 20 years of experience in place-based regeneration.
As SURF’s Policy Manager, Derek was tasked with improving the lives of people in Scotland’s poorer communities by promoting a coordinated approach to regeneration policy and practice. This involved facilitating engagement with members, undertaking research and analysis, establishing an active policy influencing function in the organisation, and effectively presenting information to policy-makers. Derek represented the interests of more than 300 cross-sector SURF member bodies in diverse public policy areas including community empowerment, planning and urban design, culture and heritage, housing, economic development, and town centre regeneration.
In his career to date, Derek has participated in a wide range of regeneration-related partnership projects, governmental advisory groups, funding panels and research initiatives. He has regularly promoted place-based policy trends and issues in national conferences, academic journals, blogs and other channels. In 2019, he founded the Place-Based Exchange Group, a collective of 15 Scotland-wide national bodies that promote place in their work.
Derek joined SURF in 2005 after graduating from the University of Glasgow with an MA in Politics. He has been a Board Member of Community Development Alliance Scotland since 2022, and from 2016-24 was a Trustee of Regional Screen Scotland, the national agency for the development of cinema experiences in communities that presently lack access.
Derek is motivated by evolving relationships between politics and place, and the scope for making positive, practical changes in Scotland’s urban and rural communities. He lives in south Glasgow and is a regular volunteer and participant in Queens Park Parkrun and Queens Park Chess Club.
Email: derekr@befs.org.uk
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Ilona joined BEFS in 2021 and is responsible for all operational matters.
Ilona has extensive experience of operations and business administration, having spent 17 years in London working in politics, media and finance. After moving to Scotland in 2014 she gained further experience, predominantly in the public and charitable sectors, including the University of the Highlands and Islands and the National Trust for Scotland. Having joined BEFS in 2021 as Company Secretary, her role has expanded to encompass HR, Finance, Governance and Membership.
Ilona is also a Business Manager for a North Berwick-based business, focussing on gold and mineral exploration in Scotland. She has recently moved to a village in the Borders for the wildlife and rural location, and is tackling restoration work on a period property and walled garden.
Email: imcallister@befs.org.uk
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Hazel Johnson joined BEFS in 2021, having previously worked at Historic Environment Scotland.
Hazel has extensive experience working in both the arts and in heritage. A longstanding interest in placemaking and traditional construction methods led her to a postgraduate degree in Architectural Conservation at the University of Edinburgh.
Previously Hazel has held various roles at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), across multiple directorates, and has worked collaboratively with stakeholders and the wider heritage and built environment sectors. Notable projects include the delivery of the Historic Environment Policy for Scotland (HEPS), and project managing the Our Place in Time, Built Heritage Investment, and Climate Groups.
Hazel’s main professional drivers lie in understanding what makes good places and thriving communities, specifically understanding and advocating for the role of heritage and culture, and how good policy can support and underpin this.
As a director and organiser of the Edinburgh arts festival Hidden Door, these professional interests are combined with her passion for the arts and community led initiatives.
Email: hjohnson@befs.org.uk
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Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
BEFS News
Plenty of coffee break reading in this week’s bulletin as we publish two brand new blogs!
Out now – the seventh in BEFS Joining the Dots Series! For this edition Katherine Pollard from the Scottish Land Commission explores how land reform connects to housing, high streets, retrofit and community empowerment. Drawing on the ScotLand Futures initiative Katherine outlines three priorities: opening new land opportunities, rebalancing power for public good, and shaping change locally. The good news? Many of the powers already exist. Read more here.
In October last year as part of BE-ST FEST, representatives from across the built environment came together to discuss how to better address the skills challenges the sector faces, by working together – a priority identified in the Skills Investment Plan for the Historic Environment (SIP). Reporting on outcomes of the Building Connections event this blog has been co-authored by the SIP delivery sub group with a remit for Architecture, Engineering, Planning and Surveying, which is made up of representatives from Built Environment Forum Scotland, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. The discussions held were an important step, but are only the beginning of a broader collaborative effort. Over the coming months, partners across the sector will work together to publish a collective statement that unifies the sector’s commitment and asks of others. Read the article to view a draft and add your organisation to the signatories here.
The devastating fire that brought down the Category B listed building at 101-115 Union Street in Glasgow has sent shockwaves across the country, generating discourse about how we look after Scotland’s historic buildings and places beyond the usual sphere of our sector. Occurrences such as last week’s fire are a stark reminder of how easy it is to take our built heritage for granted; retention, continued use, and protection of these buildings go hand in hand with safety regulations, technical guidance, research and skills:
A Scottish Government consultation on Scottish Building Regulations: Fire Safety review and Compliance: Call for Evidence is currently live, and seeks views and opinions of stakeholders on a review of building standards and guidance relating to fire safety, including work on the compliance plan approach to the design and construction of domestic and non domestic buildings. Previously BEFS has participated in a Scottish Government consultation to advocate for appropriate actions to protect human life in the retention and protection of historic buildings that have been converted into hotels and can be read here.
For further reading, Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Short Guide 14: Fire Safety Management in Traditional Buildings for Dutyholders is intended to help those with responsibilities for historic buildings understand their duties in fire safety management, and to provide practical guidance for complying with the requirements of Scotland’s fire safety legislation. Their Managing Change in the Historic Environment: Fire and Historic Buildings document is part of a series of guidance sets out the principles of fire safety in historic buildings.
A new report, From Local to Global: The Power of Heritage in a Changing World, has just been published. Produced by The Heritage Alliance with the support of Europa Nostra UK and World Monuments Fund Britain, the report demonstrates how the UK’s heritage sector strengthens international relationships through shared expertise, cultural diplomacy, and global collaboration. From climate resilience and skills exchange to community cohesion, the report draws on more than 30 case studies to show what’s already been achieved and what could be possible with greater investment and support.
SAVE Britain’s Heritage has launched its 2026 call for entries to the Buildings at Risk register. The organisation is actively seeking nominations for buildings at risk throughout Scotland, recognising this as a gap in their current register coverage. While there is no strict deadline for nominations, SAVE Britain’s Heritage will conduct research over the next few months to add selected buildings to the register in June 2026. The Buildings at Risk register highlights historic buildings that are vacant and whose future is uncertain, raising awareness and providing a platform to advocate for their retention and reuse. Nominations can be made online at savebritainsheritage.org.
Congratulations go out to BEFS Members The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and the National Trust for Scotland, who have been shortlisted for the Museums & Heritage Awards 2026, Partnership of the Year. Alongside the Bernat Klein Foundation, this recognition for the important safeguarding work being carried out, as part of the Bernat Klein Studio Coalition, is important and well deserved.
And last, but very much not least, BEFS is pleased to announce the date for a pre-election hustings. Taking place on Tuesday 7 April, 2-4pm, the event will be chaired by Jocelyne Fleming, Scottish Policy and Public Affairs Lead for the Chartered Institute of Building in Scotland. The purpose of the hustings event is to bring together BEFS Members, wider stakeholders within the built environment sector, and political party representatives to share and discuss built environment policy positions and priorities for the next term of the Scottish Parliament, in the context of a 2026 Manifesto produced by BEFS.
Representatives of six political parties with candidates standing for the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections will participate in this event, including two former Scottish Government Ministers, to respond to the BEFS Manifesto and to answer questions from BEFS Members and stakeholders around five priority themes identified in Manifesto consultations:
- Culture and Heritage
- Climate Emergency and Net Zero
- Repair, Maintenance and Retrofit
- Training and Skills
- Planning and Place-making
This hustings event is kindly hosted by BEFS Member the Royal Incorporation of Chartered Surveyors.
If you work with the built environment, please do consider signing up. The event is free to attend: you can book your in-person place here, or register to join online.
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding Listed Places of Worship Scheme, Circular Economy and Affordable Housing.
Consultations
Onshore Electricity Generation: Increasing threshold for applications under The Electricity Act
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on increasing the 50 MW threshold which determines whether applications for onshore electricity generating stations are decided by Scottish Ministers or by the relevant planning authority.
Closes 27 March 2026
New Inventory of Living Heritage – Expression of Interest
Living Heritage in the UK
Following ratification of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the UK government invites communities to nominate their own cultural traditions for the inventories of living heritage in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Categories include oral expressions, performing arts, social practices, nature/land/spirituality, crafts, sport/games, and culinary practices.
Closes 27 March 2026
Fair Funding in the Voluntary Sector
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
Voluntary sector bodies are invited by SCVO to complete a survey sharing their views on and experiences with the current funding landscape and its impact on the provision of organisational services and projects. The results of the survey, which takes an estimated five minutes to complete, will be anonymised. The outcomes will be used by SCVO to continue to advocate for fair funding practices, including provision of multi-year grants of three years or more with flexible core funding and inflation-based uplifts.
*NEW* Closes 31 March 2026
The Big Think: Place
UK Heritage Pulse
Sector-wide surveys organised by the UK Heritage Pulse, a research consortium convened by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, will explore how heritage organisations work with place and what ‘place-based heritage’ means in practice. Monthly surveys on the theme will run in January, February and March and are open to all heritage organisations.
Closes 31 March 2026
Scottish Building Regulations: Fire Safety review and Compliance: Call for Evidence
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks to obtain the views and opinions of stakeholders on a review of building standards and guidance relating to fire safety, including work on the compliance plan approach, to help ensure the safety of people in and around Scotland’s buildings. The consultation covers three main areas: the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report recommendations on fire safety, including a fundamental review of Section 2 (Fire) of the Technical Handbooks; the compliance plan manager; and the compliance plan approach. The proposed review and changes outlined in the consultation aim to improve safety for the design and construction of all domestic and non-domestic buildings, making them safer for those in and around buildings, particularly relating to fire safety and in the event of an outbreak of a building fire when considering the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report recommendations. The consultation paper contains full background information.
Closes 10 April 2026
Accelerating home-building in Scotland
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on possible measures to accelerate the build-out of housing in Scotland, including mechanisms to stimulate the build-out of housing sites with planning permission. Options include land assembly, build-out rates, and fiscal measures. Follows commitment in Housing Emergency Action Plan to extend planning consultation to cover measures for SMEs and increase volume of delivery.
Closes 30 April 2026
Draft Infrastructure Strategy 2027-2037
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government wants Scotland’s infrastructure to be planned and delivered in a way that supports Net Zero, environmental sustainability, inclusive economic growth, and resilient and sustainable places. The ambition is to create a system that makes best use of existing assets, embraces innovation, and ensures investment decisions deliver long-term public value. However, delivering infrastructure is not without challenges. To meet these challenges, the strategy focuses on three key enablers that can help turn strategic ambition into practical outcomes, ensuring investment choices deliver long-term public value: public assets, place-making and private investment. The consultation paper contains full background information for respondents.
Closes 5 May 2026
Heat networks – installation and maintenance licence
Scottish Government
A consultation seeking views on proposals for an installation and maintenance licence for heat networks, which puts forward an opt-in installation and maintenance licence under the Buildings (Heating and Energy Performance) and Heat Networks (Scotland) Bills replacing the mandatory licensing regime in the Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021. It would grant rights and powers similar to other utilities (gas, electricity) such as carrying out road works, surveys and the compulsory purchase of land. The proposed changs aim to improve the pace and scale of heat networks’ installation and maintenance to contribute to net zero targets.
*NEW* Closes 5 June 2026
News Releases
New SPAB programme to support historic Scottish churches (SPAB 06/02/2026)
Buildings at Risk register (BaR) – Call for Entries 2026 (SAVE Britain’s Heritage 16/02/2026)
New introductory film on the National Collection of Aerial Photography (HES March 2026)
Scottish Charity Awards 2026 (SCVO March 2026)
Scotland’s Heritage Hub: A Gateway to Scotland’s Past (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland March 2026)
Near £4 million awarded to revitalise Girvan, Govan, and Tarbert (HES 09/03/2026)
Hub selects 10 new Local Good Practices across Europe from Open Call (European Heritage Hub 09/03/2026)
Society Launches Virtual Issues of 170-Year-Old Journal (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 12/03/2026)
Why now is the moment to join the Architecture and Design Scotland Board (A&DS 13/03/2026)
European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 programme announced (Europa Nostra 13/03/2026)
Town centre ‘heritage gems’ to be restored with £7m of lottery funds (BBC 17/02/2026)
Publications
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust Strategy 2026-29: Our Future at Fifty (SHBT January 2026)
CROSS Safety Report: Higher Risk Building residents’ concerns about safety not heard (CROSS UK 20/01/2026)
A Middle Bronze Age settlement near Mauchline, East Ayrshire (Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports February 2026)
The need to re-focus on housing conditions: Introducing the Housing Stewardship Framework (CaCHE 24/02/2026)
Planifesto Thinkpiece: Housing ambition to delivery (RTPI Scotland 02/03/2026)
Country of Origin Report 2025 (Registers of Scotland 10/03/2026)
Case study: The Work of Westhill and Elrick Community Council in Aberdeenshire (Community Councils Scotland 11/03/2026)
Scottish Parliament elections 2026: boundaries and voting system (DeHavilland 12/03/2026)
The Big Think: Place (February 2026) (UK Heritage Pulse 16/03/2026)
Scottish & UK: Governmental & Parliamentary Publications
Scottish Budget 2026-27, Spending Review and Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline: strategic integrated impact assessment (Scot Gov 19/01/2026)
Correspondence between the Public Audit Committee and the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee regarding the 2024/25 audit of Historic Environment Scotland (Scot Parl 02/03/2026)
Spring Statement delivers a Barnett bonus (SPICe 03/03/2026)
Energy Security and Net Zero: Scotland – Debate (UK Parl 04/03/2026)
Energy: Housing Net Zero (retrofit skills) written question (UK Parl 04/03/2026)
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee Draft Report (Scot Parl 04/03/2026)
Draft Climate Change Plan Debate (Scot Parl 05/03/2026)
Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 3 (Scot Parl 05/03/2026)
Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Groupings of Amendments for Stage 3 (Scot Parl 05/03/2026)
Local Museums Debate (UK Parl 05/03/2026)
Shelter Scotland written submission on Investigation and Commencement of Repairs (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (Awaab’s Law) (Scot Parl 06/03/2026)
Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill – Marshalled List of Amendments selected for Stage 3 (Scot Parl 06/03/2026)
Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill – Groupings of Amendments for Stage 3 (Scot Parl 06/03/2026)
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) approved organisation status (Scot Gov 06/03/2026)
Building standards technical handbook: domestic – April 2026 (Scot Gov 09/03/2026)
Correspondence between Màiri McAllan and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding Energy Performance Certificate Reform and other Heat in Buildings workstreams (Scot Parl 09/03/2026)
Correspondence between Màiri McAllan and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on EPC reform and minimum energy efficiency standards in the private and social rented sectors (Scot Parl 09/03/2026)
£2.2 million boost for volunteering across Scotland (Scot Gov 10/03/2026)
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee agenda (Scot Parl 10/03/2026)
Correspondence between Shona Robison and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding Cruise Ship Levy – consultation analysis and next steps (Scot Parl 10/03/2026)
Official Report (Draft): Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee (Scot Parl 10/03/2026)
Permitted development rights to support the provision of new homes consultation – summary of responses (Scot Gov 10/03/2026)
Glasgow Union Street Fire Topical Question Time (Scot Parl 10/03/2026)
Cultural Heritage Question Time: Historic Environment (UK Parl 10/03/2026)
Delegated powers in the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill (as amended at Stage 2) (Scot Parl 10/03/2026)
Cultural Heritage Question Time: National Patrimony (UK Parl 10/03/2026)
The Scottish Aggregates Tax (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2026 (Scot Parl 10/03/2026)
Volunteering Support Fund 2025 to 2027: projects funded (Scot Gov 10/03/2026)
Visitor Levy (Amendment) Scotland Bill – Daily List of Amendments (Scot Parl 12/03/2026)
Correspondence between Ben Macpherson and the Education, Children and Young People Committee regarding Review of Modern Apprenticeship Contribution Rates (Scot Parl 13/03/2026)
Heat network licensing: equality impact assessment (Scot Gov 13/03/2026)
Correspondence between Màiri McAllan and Committee Conveners regarding Installation and Maintenance Licence for Heat Networks Consultation (Scot Parl 13/03/2026)
Housing Investment Taskforce minutes: 12 February 2026 (Scot Gov 13/03/2026)
Planning and Architecture: Stalled Housing Sites (Scot Govt 13/03/2026)
Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 3(Scot Parl 13/03/2026)
Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Groupings of Amendments for Stage 3(Scot Parl 13/03/2026)
Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Revised Explanatory Notes (Scot Parl 13/03/2026)
Stalled Housing Sites – Planning and Architecture Blog (Scot Gov 13/03/2026)
Funding apprenticeships (Scot Gov 14/03/2026)
Glasgow fire support (Scot Gov 14/03/2026)
Public appointment: Members appointed to the Zero Waste Scotland Board (Scot Gov 16/03/2026)
Rental discrimination: guidance for Scotland (Scot Gov 16/03/2026)
Private Rented Sector Stakeholder Engagement Group minutes: January 2026 (Scot Gov 16/03/2026)
Blog: The National Planning Hub – A year of delivery! (Scot Gov 16/03/2026)
UK City of Culture 2029 longlist revealed (UK Gov 18/03/2026)
Motions
S6M-21018
Submitted by: Alexander Stewart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 09/03/2026
That the Parliament welcomes the delivery of construction pathways at Stirling and Balfron high schools, which features Build Your Future events to inspire the next generation to consider a career in the sector; notes that creating a pathway into roofing with the introduction of a National 5 in Creative Industries Roof Slating has directly resulted in a young person from Stirling High School being offered an apprenticeship with local company Old Plean Roofing; understands that this was delivered in collaboration with the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, Historic Environment Scotland, Scottish Traditional Building Forum and Stirling Council; understands that the creation and continued evolution of the construction pathways will assist young people to make informed decisions about their career choices, while ensuring parity of esteem with other subject choices; congratulates the organisations, schools, staff and students for participating in the pilots; and wishes all concerned best wishes for their future careers.
Supported by: Sharon Dowey, Paul Sweeney, Tess White
Opinion & Comment
Dr Jocelyne Fleming: She built this city… or, at least, she could (Scottish Construction Now 26/02/2026)
Centre of excellence tipped to enhance traditional and heritage skills (Project Scotland 05/03/2026)
Glasgow Central station fire again shows vulnerability of city’s older buildings (The Guardian 09/03/2026)
Why do Glasgow’s historic buildings keep burning down? (The National 09/03/2026)
John Swinney signals ‘willingness’ to support council financially in dealing with the consequences of Glasgow blaze (The Holyrood Magazine 09/03/2026)
Anas Sarwar reveals plans for a pothole fund to fix 5m holes (Glasgow Times 09/03/2026)
‘Ugly, unloved and an environmental drain, but Brutalist Argyle House is worth saving’ (Edinburgh Inquirer 10/03/2026)
Calls for more historic buildings protections as ‘treasure’ lost (The Herald 10/03/2026)
Director’s Blog: Scotland Moves Beyond Growth to Create Landmark Community Wealth Building Bill (WEAll Scotland 11/03/2026)
Almost a decade after Grenfell, my flat still isn’t safe (BBC News 16/03/2026)
Society raising £1.5m to buy historic Edinburgh property (BBC News 17/03/2026)
Events
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
AHSS – Sarah Jane Storrie: Heritage with Purpose; Adaptive Reuse and Community-Centred Design
Date & Time: Thursday 19 March 2026; 7:30-8:30pm
Location: St Andrew’s West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP
Note: Lecture will also be live-streamed via Zoom
Join Sarah Jane Storrie, a founding director at Studio SJM Architects, as she shares insights gained from over twenty years of experience in the adaptive reuse of historic structures. Holding RIAS Conservation Accreditation since 2013, she examines how careful conservation and repair partnered with imaginative and pragmatic adaptive reuse of heritage assets, can act as a catalyst for regeneration and benefit the wider community in terms of tangible and intangible heritage.
Under One Roof – Taking Care of Your Tenement: Drop-In Q&A Session with Glasgow City Heritage Trust
Date & Time: Thursday 19 March 2026; 5:30-7pm
Location: Kinning Park Complex, 43 Cornwall Street, Glasgow G41 1BA
Join Glasgow City Heritage Trust (GCHT) and Under One Roof for a drop-in Q&A session aimed at anyone who wants to learn more about maintaining and repairing a historic tenement. This is a chance to bring your questions and speak one-to-one with the experts. Whether you have a specific issue to discuss or just want to have a quick chat about looking after your tenement, please stop by. If you do have a specific building repair query, please bring photos so their teams can best assist you. This event is free, and questions will be answered on a first come/first serve basis.
How Dundee Changed and Developed between the 1870s and 1970s
Date & Time: Thursday 19 March 2026; 7pm
Location: 17 Roseangle, Dundee, DD1 4LP
Dr Kenneth Baxter, a historian based at Dundee University Archive Services, will explore the changes to Dundee’s built landscape over the course of a century. Dundee has attracted an infamous reputation for demolishing many of its most prominent buildings. Baxter will explore the economic, social, and political reasons for these demolitions. Importantly, Baxter will explain how the attitude of Dundonian citizens to their built environment changed over the years, and showcase how many of these demolitions were met positively at the time. This event is free.
Tron Steeple Project Celebration
Date & Time: Friday, 20 March; 5pm
Location: Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5HB
The Tron Theatre is celebrating the completion of the final stage of the Tron Steeple Project, which saw the restoration of and upgrades to Glasgow’s third-oldest building. The seventeenth-century steeple has survived two fires over the course of its history, and restoration works were instigated in 2024 with the help of Glasgow City Heritage Trust and Glasgow Institute of Architecture. This event will feature talks from Niall Murphy (Glasgow City Heritage Trust), the architect Scott Abercrombie on the history of the building, and the artist Kayleigh Sarah McGuinness who was commissioned to create a new sculpture commemorating the history of the steeple. This event is free but ticketed.
Aberdeen City Heritage Trust – Transatlantic Tradesmen: Aberdeen Granite Workers in North America
Date & Time: Tuesday 24 March 2026; 7-8pm
Location: Online
Part of the Aberdeen Heritage Lectures 2026 collection, Prof. Marjory Harper, University of Aberdeen discusses Transatlantic Tradesmen: Aberdeen Granite Workers in North America. Marjory Harper is Professor of History at the University of Aberdeen, and Visiting Professor at the Centre for History, University of the Highlands and Islands. She has devised and directed an award-winning online Master’s Programme in Scottish Heritage. Her research focuses on British (particularly Scottish) emigration since 1800. Two of her monographs have won international prizes, and she has published around 100 articles and book chapters. Aberdeen City Heritage Trust recognises the support of Historic Environment Scotland and Aberdeen City Council.
Heritage Network – North UK Mills Group – Tour of Preston Mill
Date: Tuesday 24 March 2026; 10:30am-12:30pm
Location: Preston Mill, East Linton, EH40 3DS
Join the North UK Mills Group at Preston Mill to see this watermill grind grain for the first time in nearly 40 years. There has been a mill on site since the 16th century and the current structure dates to the 18th century. Fraser MacDonald of the National Trust for Scotland will explain the labour, skill, and technical work necessary to bring the millstones back to life.
Heritage Network – Heritage Works – Arts, Culture and Placemaking in a Historic City
Date & Time: Tuesday 24 March 2026; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: The Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1
Against Edinburgh’s backdrop of medieval closes, Georgian crescents, and world-renowned arts and culture festivals and programming, the event shines a spotlight on the opportunities and challenges of cultivating thriving public realms rooted in heritage. Bringing together local authorities, heritage bodies, cultural practitioners, arts professionals, and community stakeholders, this symposium delves into the unique potential of historic cities; places where centuries of architectural legacy meet contemporary creative ambition.
FuturHist & INTBAU – From Heritage to Energy Transition. How Active Systems Can Support Heritage Buildings
Date & Time: Tuesday 24 March 2026; 10-11:30am
Location: Online via Zoom
This webinar will discuss active solutions with experts Federico Trentin (Eurac Research) and Marianna Muchorowska (Innsbruck University). They will highlight the key learnings from the deliverable “Conservation compatible solutions for HVAC and RES integration in Historic Buildings“.
Register here.
SHSMG – Is There Hope for Social Media in the Heritage Sector? | Final SHSMG Event
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 March 2026; 3-4pm
Location: Online via Zoom
After running for ten years, the Scottish Heritage Social Media Group is coming to an end, but not before leaving on a positive note with a group of speakers who will explain why they’re optimistic about the future of social media in the heritage sector. There will be speakers from the National Library of Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland and National Museums Scotland.
RIAS BookshopLATES – Glasgow from Above
Date & Time: Thursday 2 April 2026; 6:30-7:30pm
Location: RIAS Bookshop, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BE
Come along to the RIAS Bookshop to explore the architectural and industrial heritage of 21st-century Glasgow. Architect Rosalie Menon discusses her recent book, ‘Glasgow from Above’, with Chris Stewart PPRIAS.
BEFS Pre-Election Hustings 2026
Date & Time: Tuesday 7 April 2026; 2-4pm
Location: Royal Incorporation of Chartered Surveyors, Scotland (hybrid event – in-person and online options available)
BEFS pre-election hustings bringing together BEFS Members, built environment stakeholders, and political party representatives to discuss built environment policy positions and priorities for the next Scottish Parliament term, in the context of the 2026 BEFS Manifesto. Representatives from six political parties with candidates standing for the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections will participate, including two former Scottish Government Ministers, responding to the BEFS Manifesto and answering questions around five priority themes: Culture and Heritage; Climate Emergency and Net Zero; Repair, Maintenance and Retrofit; Training and Skills; Planning and Place-making. Chaired by Jocelyne Fleming, Scottish Policy and Public Affairs Lead for the Chartered Institute of Building in Scotland. Kindly hosted by BEFS Member the Royal Incorporation of Chartered Surveyors. Free to attend. Book in-person place here or register to join online.
AHSS – Dominic Echlin & Thomas Hamilton – Extending the National Gallery of Scotland
Date & Time: Monday 13 April 2026; 6:30-7:30pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL (wheelchair accessible)
Note: Lecture will also be streamed online via Zoom
Dominic Echlin, structural engineer, and Thomas Hamilton, architect, will share with us some of the challenges associated with the construction of the new Scottish Galleries at the National Gallery of Scotland at the Mound. Tickets available from Eventbrite or on the door, subject to availability: £6 / students £2
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – PALaEoScot: New Approaches to Scotland’s Oldest Archaeology
Date & Time: Thursday 16 April 2026; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL
This lecture will present the latest results of the PALaEoScot project, a research initiative from the University of Aberdeen centred on the use of archaeo-ecological approaches to explore the low visibility archaeology of Late Pleistocene Scotland and its recolonisation as glaciers retreated. The latest evidence for Scotland’s Ice Age people will be explored, along with their continental connections, the landscapes they encountered, and the fearsome beasts they shared their world with.
RTPI – Scottish Young Planners’ Conference 2026
Date & Time: Friday 24 April 2026
Location: Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS
This year’s Scottish Young Planners’ Conference will explore planning’s critical role in tackling the climate and nature crises. The conference will feature a variety of speakers who will provide critical insights, share best practice examples, and lead practical workshop sessions to enhance delegates’ awareness, knowledge and skills on a range of topics.
AHF 50th Anniversary Exhibition
Date & Time: 30 April – 16 May in Glasgow, 23 June – 11 July in Cardiff, 21 October – 4 November in London; Times TBC
Location: Glasgow, Cardiff, London
To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we have put together an exhibition, 50 Years of Reimagining Heritage, which tells the story of the difference heritage reuse can make in people’s lives and in communities. Across the year, our exhibition will travel to each part of the UK, with openings in Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff and London. We hope by showcasing these extraordinary stories to inspire more people to get involved in saving local historic buildings to improve places, empower people, and secure a sustainable future for built heritage.
RIAS BookshopLATES – Professor Susan Roaf
Date & Time: Thursday 30 April 2026; 6:30-7:30pm
Location: RIAS Bookshop, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BE
The RIAS Bookshop and SEDA invite you to join Professor Susan Roaf for a discussion of the research behind her new book ‘Adaptive Thermal Comfort: At the Extremes’ with architect Gloria Lo.
SURF – Shared Learning Workshops
Dates & Times: Thursday 7 – Thursday 28 May 2026; 10am-2pm
Location: Various; see individual events below
A series of SURF Award Shared Learning Workshops will take place in May. At these events attendees will have the opportunity to learn from SURF Award winners and highly commended projects, before opening to a wider policy discussion with national partners. The 4 workshops are:
- Removing barriers to employability (7 May, Edinburgh)
- Housing led regeneration initiatives (14 May, Edinburgh)
- Place-based regeneration approaches (21 May, Govan)
- Taking a creative approach to regeneration (28 May, Glasgow)
SAVE THE DATE/EARLY BOOKING OPEN NOW/APPLICATIONS INVITED
Open Call: FuturHist Retrofit Academy – master historic building retrofitting
Location: Online then Krakow
Join an international cohort of experts in the FuturHist Retrofit Academy to master the energy transition of our built heritage. This two-stage programme, co-organised by the FuturHist Horizon Europe project partners offers specialised training on high-performance energy efficiency and innovative conservation-compatible solutions. The programme includes a free 6-week e-learning course (starting April 20) and an exclusive Summer Academy in Krakow for top performers (September 2026). Gain competitive expertise and future-proof your career in the sustainable heritage sector.
Deadline: Saturday 18 April 2026
Archaeology Scotland – 2026 Summer School
Date & Time: Tuesday 19 – Friday 22 May 2026
Location: Corran Esplanade, Oban, Argyll, PA34 5PZ
The 2026 Summer School will explore the archaeology of Lorn’s glens and coast. The event, open to members and non-members, features guided tours of Neolithic to Reformation sites.
IHBC – Annual School 2026 Newcastle I Adaptive Reuse
Date & Time: Thursday 18 – Saturday 20 June 2026
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne (In Person and Online)
The IHBC Annual School in Newcastle explores the theme of Adaptive Reuse through inspiring tours, expert talks, and networking opportunities across this 3-day programme, starting on Thursday with CPD Study Tours of iconic sites including the Byker Wall and Ouseburn, followed by a Welcome Reception at the Baltic Centre. Friday’s Day School, available in-person or online features specialist speakers at the Grade II* listed Common Room, and an Exhibitor Hub. The weekend concludes with the Annual Dinner and Awards at the Royal Station Hotel, followed by study tours on the Saturday for Full School delegates. Booking now open.
Heritage Network Conference 2026
Date & Time: Sunday 27 September – Tuesday 29 September
Location: Belfast & Armagh
The conference emphasis is on the impact of community-led heritage on people and places, explored through the experience of heritage regeneration in our host towns and cities and beyond. As well as a day of compelling presentations, lively discussions and networking, Conference includes tours and visits to fascinating historic sites and ground-breaking projects.
Training
Planning Aid Scotland – Community Engagement Skills Training Edinburgh
Date & Time: Wednesday 25 March 2026; 10am-3:30pm
Location: The Crannie, 9 Cranston Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BE
This is an interactive workshop on community engagement and how to use the SP=EED framework. The trainers bring extensive community engagement and facilitation expertise to help develop your skills, knowledge, and confidence as a community engagement practitioner. Learn how to undertake meaningful engagement that achieves positive outcomes for communities and projects alike. Discover useful tips and practical tools to help you lead your engagement work with confidence and ease. Engage in a range of different learning techniques to think creatively about engagement. Connect with fellow engagement practitioners, share experiences, and learn from each other in a safe, collaborative setting.
SLCT – Repairing Traditional Masonry Structures
Date & Time: Thursday 26 March 2026; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Merryhill Training Centre, 2 Rocks Road, Charlestown, Fife KY11 3EN
This one day workshop covers the construction and appropriate repair of traditional masonry structures such as culverts, tunnels, light houses, viaducts, canals, harbours, retaining walls, piers and masonry arch bridges. These structures contribute so much to the richness of our built heritage and many are still in use after 200+ years. But in many cases, we are asking these structures to outperform any of the expectations that their original designers intended, which can leave us with various ‘headaches’ to deal with, without spoiling their beautiful aesthetics. There are now a wide range of lime and natural cement binders along with additives that can be used to emulate both the technical and aesthetic performance of original mortars in repair schemes from re-pointing to stitching cracks and grouting structures to secure them. Download full course description here (PDF)
The Engine Shed – Scottish Roofing: Materials and Practices
Date & Time: Tuesday 31 March 2026; 9:30am-4pm
Location: Hybrid – The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ and Online
Natural slate, lead and iron have been used to cover (and sometimes decorate) traditional Scottish buildings for generations. These three morning talks will introduce you to the methods and materials traditionally used in Scotland for roofing, followed by a discussion on the prospects for reopening Scotland’s first working slate quarry since the 1950s. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, the speakers will lead a walking tour around Stirling’s Old Town to observe a wide range of roof repair and conservation issues. Cost: £85 for the in person full day learning experience; £30 for virtual attendance.
SLCT – Surface Repair of Stone
Date & Time: Tuesday 14 & Wednesday 15 April 2026; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Merryhill Training Centre, Charlestown, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 3DR
This course will teach you how to carry out a successful surface stone repair with an understanding of the materials and when and where it may be appropriate. In many cases, simple surface repairs can be less intrusive and a suitable alternative to replacing masonry units with new stone. This course is designed to ensure successful surface repairs to flat work, angles, corners and moulded details. The decay mechanisms of stone will be discussed and consideration of the factors that should be taken into account when deciding if a surface repair is a suitable alternative to replacement with new stone. This course is aimed at those working within the construction industry who have had practical building experience and trowel skills.
SLCT – C1 Making and Using Traditional Mortars
Date & Time: Monday 20 & Tuesday 21 April 2026; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Merryhill Training Centre, Charlestown, Dunfermline, Fife KY12 3DR
This practical workshop will provide attendees with a strong understanding of lime technology and how to approach re-pointing work in traditional buildings. The reasons for using traditional mortars on solid walls will also be explained, to allow you to better advise your clients. The course will guide participants to be able to complete repointing work to traditional buildings to a high standard. The content of this workshop provides the underpinning knowledge required for assessment and accreditation of SQA National Unit H8WT45 – Prepare and Mix Traditional Lime Mortars
Full course description
The Engine Shed – Conserving Timberwork and Timber Windows
Date & Time: Wednesday 22 April 2026; 9:30am-4pm
Location: Hybrid – The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ and Online
Three morning talks will examine the wealth of timberwork in Scotland’s traditional buildings, from major structural features like joists and rafters, to delicate finishing details like skirting boards, mouldings and panelling. How these features should be repaired, maintained and conserved will also be covered and there will be a discussion on ways to repair traditional simple sash and case windows. A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. In the afternoon, there will be guided tours of Stirling’s Church of the Holy Rude and the nearby Great Hall of Stirling Castle to inspect their remarkable timber roof structures – one being ancient and the other of recent construction. Cost: £85 for the in person full day learning experience; £30 for virtual attendance.
Icon Scotland – Glass Bonding and Filling Workshop
Date & Time: Tuesday 28 – Thursday 30 April 2026; 10am-5pm (28th) and 9am-5pm (29th & 30th)
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 3-day Workshop is aimed at conservators with previous knowledge but little experience of glass conservation, being objects or stained glass. The course will cover theory about glass degradation, conservation issues, conservation materials and techniques, and hands-on sessions on handling, bonding, mould making and filling flat glass and vessel glass surrogates. At the end of the workshop, participants will have a clear idea of common glass conservation issues, and options and strategies for their conservation.
Introduction to Building Conservation
Date & Time: Monday 1 – Friday 5 June 2026; 9:30am – 4pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ
Five-day intensive course delivered by Historic Environment Scottish conservation professionals are exploring traditional building skills and materials used in conservation and repair projects throughout the Scottish built environment. It includes lectures, activities, and site visits to Stirling Old Town, Doune Castle, Glasgow Cathedral, and Glasgow Necropolis. Topics include approaches to conserving/repairing traditional buildings; stone, lime, slate and lead; climate change effects on heritage; and maintaining Scotland’s castles. Bursaries are available for third-year students/recent graduates in building-related subjects (architecture, surveying, engineering, planning) – apply by 9am Tuesday 7 April 2026 to technicaleducation@hes.scot. Successful applicants contacted by Friday 15 May 2026. This course is suitable for graduates, heritage professionals, building practitioners, and anyone responsible for a traditional building.
Vacancies
RIAS – Bookshop & Venue Programme Manager
Salary: £16,800–£18,000 (FTE £28,000–£30,000)
Status: Part-time, 21 hours per week
Location: 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) is seeking an organised, commercially aware Bookshop and Venue Programme Manager to support engagement with members and the wider public. This part-time role combines management of the RIAS online Bookshop with the delivery of book-related events and small-scale visual arts exhibitions. Read the full job description here. Please send your application to recruitment@rias.org.uk or by post to RIAS, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BE
Closing date: Tuesday 14 April 2026
Members – Board of Architecture and Design Scotland
Remuneration: A daily rate of £196.16 per day, providing a yearly remuneration of £4,708; plus reasonable expenses.
Status: Approx 2 days a month (24 days per year). This appointment will be for up to 4 years in the first instance.
Location: Edinburgh
Do you want to shape the strategic direction of Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) as it begins a new chapter of transformation and increased impact? Following a recent government review, A&DS is entering an exciting new chapter. Alongside its continuing actions to champion good design, A&DS will now play a new role to support and develop Scotland’s architecture and design workforce, growing the collective capacity and harnessing the value of design. Scottish Ministers now seek to appoint up to three Board Members who will be key to A&DS delivering the review outcomes and the new ambitions. Members will provide support to the Board Chair, help to steer the organisation’s strategic direction and ensure robust governance in times of reform and change. The role involves strategic thinking, providing vision, inspiration and constructive challenge and the ability to hold others to account. Hear directly from Mr. Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs, and Culture, about External Affairs and Culture, on these roles and their importance. You can view his short message by clicking on this link. For more information or an informal discussion, please contact Jim MacDonald, CEO, A&DS, at Jim.MacDonald@ads.org.uk. You can also find out more about A&DS on their website. An online information session will be held on Wednesday 25 March 2026; 6:30-7:30pm. Click here to sign up. Full details on how to apply, and the evidence that should be submitted at the application stage, are set out at pages 10-13 of the Applicant Information Pack
Closing Date: Thursday 16 April 2026
Stirling City Heritage Trust – Trustees
Salary: No remuneration
Stirling City Heritage Trust is seeking new Trustees. Founded in 2004, Stirling City Heritage Trust (SCHT) is a Scottish charity and company limited by guarantee funded by Historic Environment Scotland and Stirling Council. The Trust operates the Traditional Buildings Health Check, offers grants for traditional repairs and supports local education projects which promote an understanding of Stirling’s heritage. They also offer energy efficiency advice through their Retrofit Service. The Trust are looking to recruit volunteer Trustees who have an interest in the heritage and historic built environment of the City of Stirling to enhance the Board. Trustees support the Trust staff, raising the profile of the organisation and helping with strategic decision-making. To complement existing Board members, SCHT are particularly seeking individuals who have skills and experience in one or more of the following areas: architectural history, local cultural heritage, retrofit, engineering, traditional skill(s), HR, financial management/accountancy and legal. Applicants should have an interest in Stirling’s traditional architecture and recognise the importance of the maintenance of traditional buildings. SCHT particularly welcomes applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience, and with the ability to make an effective contribution to the organisation. They are also keen to attract young people to join. Further information and an application pack are available on the SCHT website or by contacting the Trust Manager, Vivienne Whyte, on 01786 498462 or manager@scht.org.uk.
Closing date: Friday 17 April 2026
Planning Aid Scotland – Opportunities for chartered planners
Becoming chartered is a significant professional milestone, signalling competence and a commitment to public service. Planning Aid Scotland, the national charity working to widen access to planning, offers newly chartered planners a way to put these values into practice through its national planning Advice Service. Volunteers support members of the public with a wide range of planning questions, gaining direct experience that is often hard to find in day-to-day roles. The opportunity is flexible and open to all chartered planners. In return, volunteers receive professional training, access to a video archive, and ongoing support.
Get in touch to find out more at volunteer@pas.org.uk
Closing Date: Not applicable
Planning Democracy – Trustees
Planning Democracy are looking for new trustees to join their board. They are particularly interested in recruiting trustees who have skills in the following areas:
- Governance
- Communications (social media, online resources, website management)
However, they are also keen to hear from anyone who feels that Planning Democracy is an organisation they are interested in getting involved with. In return, they are offering training opportunities, learning opportunities, experience in campaigning and advocacy, the opportunity to travel in Scotland and meet new people, as well as being part of a committed group of people.
If you are interested, contact Chair, Helen Todd on info@planningdemocracy.org.uk and they can then send you an application form and/or have a chat.
Closing Date: Not specified
SHBT – St Ninian’s Manse
Location: Quayside Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6EJ
Size: 2,889 sq ft
Availability: March 2026
Tenure: Available as a single tenancy or individual floors
With origins dating back to 1493, St Ninian’s Manse is thought to be the oldest building in Leith and is topped by Edinburgh’s sole surviving 17th-century timber steeple. It formed part of the original entrance to St Ninian’s Chapel, which was mostly demolished during the 19th century when the site was converted to industrial use as a mill. From 1996 to 2002, SHBT restored both St Ninian’s Manse and the adjacent Quayside Mills, creating desirable waterfront office space whilst also preserving an important historic structure and a key part of Leith’s history. The manse now offers four floors of adaptable office space with period character, modern amenities, and five dedicated parking spaces. Brochure
Enquiries: info@shbt.org.uk
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A blog providing an update on the Skills Investment Plan delivery, co-authored by the sub group with a remit for Architecture, Engineering, Planning and Surveying.
This blog provides an update on the Skills Investment Plan (SIP) delivery. It has been co-authored by the SIP delivery sub group with a remit for Architecture, Engineering, Planning and Surveying, which is made up of representatives from Built Environment Forum Scotland, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.
This Is What We Heard
In October last year as part of BE-ST FEST, representatives from across the Built Environment sector came together to discuss how we could maximise opportunities and better address the challenges the sector faces by working together – a priority identified in the Skills Investment Plan for the Historic Environment.
The event, developed through a partnership between Built Environment Forum Scotland, the Chartered Institute of Building, Historic Environment Scotland, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland – with support from trade bodies and other built environment organisations – brought together guests from across the sector including trades, professional bodies, academia, charities and government, who face the same pressures but may not often share the same room, to explore where there is consensus.
One message was clear:
If we continue as we are, we will not be where we need to be. Change is essential – and everyone has a role in making it happen.
What We Heard: The Challenges Facing the Sector
Participants shared a wide range of concerns about Scotland’s built environment skills pipeline. These challenges reflect systemic issues -not isolated challenges -and affect the sector from entry‑level recruitment to long‑term workforce sustainability
Key challenges highlighted include:
- A complex and fragmented skills system, with duplicated routes and unclear progression pathways.
- Unstable and inconsistent funding, with essential courses such as tiling, stonemasonry and building surveying disappearing from local provision.
- Limited access to quality entry‑level opportunities for those seeking to join the sector.
- Procurement practices that prioritise the lowest cost over quality, undermining investment in skills and workforce development.
- SMEs carrying disproportionate responsibility for training despite facing the highest financial and administrative burdens.
- Cultural challenges, including outdated workplace behaviours, a lack of well‑being support, and a negative public image that puts off potential new entrants.
- Retrofit a major national priority, does not fit neatly within existing trade structures, leaving a mismatch between need and training routes.
- Inconsistent training provision between regions, worsened by barriers such as summer college closures or restrictions on simulated assessment.
What We Heard: Opportunities for Positive Change
Despite the challenges, the discussion highlighted a strong sense of optimism. Participants proposed practical, actionable changes that can be delivered only through collaboration across employers, training providers, trades associations, professional bodies, skills agencies and Government.
Opportunities identified included:
- Reforming procurement so that quality, competence and training commitments are core requirements, not optional extras.
- Modernising apprenticeships and introducing modular and stackable learning pathways, while ensuring a place for essential trade‑specific content.
- Guaranteeing parity of funding across training providers, while reducing bureaucracy to help SMEs participate fully.
- Treating worksites as live learning environments, supporting real‑world training across trades and professions.
- Taking a holistic built environment approach, helping people develop broad understanding earlier in their careers.
- Establishing a Ministerial Oversight Group on Retrofit, bringing together relevant government portfolios to drive a coordinated national approach.
- Using better data—including a state‑of‑skills survey—to target investment where it is most needed.
- Inspiring the next generation by bringing industry professionals into schools.
- Developing joint training programmes across trades and professions.
- Mapping the current system to identify and address structural blockages.
These proposals underscore a shared recognition that no single organisation can address these challenges alone — but that, collectively, the sector can unlock meaningful change.
This Is Just the Start
The discussions held were an important step, but they represent only the beginning of a broader collaborative effort. Over the coming months, partners across the sector will work together to:
- Publish a collective statement that unifies the sector’s commitment and asks of others. You can view a draft and add your organisation to the signatories here.
- Explore opportunities for joint training and alignment or skills development across trades and professions.
- Collaborate on data and shared messaging to strengthen evidence‑based policy development.
- Build more cohesive working relationships across government departments, reflecting the cross‑cutting nature of built environment challenges.
A Shared Vision for Scotland’s Future
Scotland’s future depends on a built environment workforce that is skilled, adaptable and resilient. The challenges are complex, but the commitment demonstrated across the sector shows that progress is possible – and already underway.
You can find the draft collective statement here and add your organisation to the list of signatories here. The statement will be published at the end of May.
Please contact a member of the BEFS team with any enquiries.
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In the seventh blog in our Joining the Dots series, Katherine Pollard, Head of Policy at the Scottish Land Commission, explores how land reform connects directly to Scotland’s built environment ambitions. Drawing on the ScotLand Futures initiative, which engaged over 1,200 people, Kathie argues that land reform is not just a rural issue but critical to addressing urban challenges from housing need to high street decline. She outlines three priorities for the next phase of land reform: opening new land opportunities, rebalancing power to ensure ownership works for the public good, and shaping change locally through strengthened planning. With 96% of respondents calling for further changes to land ownership and use, Kathie demonstrates how existing powers, from compulsory purchase to tenement maintenance models, can be better utilised to create thriving, equitable and sustainable places across Scotland.
The Scottish Land Commission has published a new policy roadmap setting out next steps for reforming ownership and use of land to benefit people and places in Scotland. This brings together the findings of our ScotLand Futures initiative where more than 1,200 people shared their views and priorities for land reform alongside international evidence.
The appetite for change is strong, with 96% of respondents feeling further changes to land ownership and use are needed. While Scotland has taken important steps over the past 25 years, pressures on land are now sharper and more urgent.
Why does this matter to BEFS?
Often land reform is seen as a rural issue, yet the frustrations and challenges are common to urban areas too. There is a huge housing need, major changes in our landscapes and high streets, and too many people feel locked out of decisions that shape their communities and futures. There is also a sense of frustration with wasted potential and dereliction.
Our land reform policy agenda matters to the built environment because its aim is to ensure that people benefit from how land is used and owned. We have a shared goal which is to create thriving, more equitable and sustainable places. The land reform agenda therefore directly links to how we use, restore and retrofit buildings and assets.
We see three priorities for the next phase of land reform.
Opening new land opportunities
We must make ownership and use possible for more people. This will diversify ownership, support housing and enterprise, and build community wealth. We can do this by creating a programme for small scale land ownership, a public land bank and public land agency. We should also simplify and strengthen routes into community and co-operative ownership. Examples like Bath Street Collective Custom Build housing in Edinburgh are few in Scotland, despite the many economic and social benefits such as all costs flowing directly into the project and fostering community agency.
Rebalancing power by ensuring land ownership works for the public good
Land ownership gives power, and where that power is overly concentrated or misused it must be possible to safeguard the public interest. In order to protect the public interest while ensuring power is exercised responsibly, we believe that new ways of considering the public interest should be introduced when significant areas of land are acquired. This should include expectations around local presence. We should also establish clear mechanisms to intervene where the power of land ownership is misused.
Shaping change locally
Scotland is undergoing major land use change and development – ranging from energy infrastructure to new settlements. We need to put people at the heart of these decisions as public support depends on local involvement and benefit. To do this, regional land use planning and local place planning should be strengthened. This can help realise the purpose of planning as set out in the 2019 Planning Act, which is to manage the use and development of land in the long-term public interest. Local stakes in ownership, delivery and benefit should be created. We should also improve local authority powers to support productive land use, for example via compulsory sales orders.
So how can we practically deliver this?
No single act can deliver these priorities, but we can make progress through a mix of regulation, policy and practice on the ground.
The good news is that many of the powers and policies already exist and are familiar to BEFS members. For example, public bodies could make better use of compulsory purchase powers to create new land opportunities. Let’s consider using existing taxes and incentives to support regeneration and address inequalities. Tenement maintenance models can be an opportunity to manage land and buildings in the longer term. Let’s look at how disposals and acquisition processes create positive, lasting impacts for communities. Local Place Plans could help communities meaningfully influence local decisions. There’s also a lot we could achieve by improving and joining-up land data.
The Scottish Land Commission is working to promote and embed these priorities both in policy and practice. Our website has practical resources and there’s a team that works to bring together different voices and join the dots on these issues.
Katherine Pollard is Head of Policy at the Commission, leading the team responsible for policy advice, analysis and research to inform key areas of land policy. Together they provide advice to government, parliament and stakeholders. She has a background working on planning, environmental and nature finance policy working for the Scottish Government and third sector organisations. Since joining the Commission in 2018, Katherine has worked on a wide range of land reform topics including tax, vacant and derelict land and measures to address concentrated landownership.
Get in touch – to find out more about BEFS work or to discuss a particular topic or policy area email us at info@befs.org.uk or contact the Team.
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