BEFS News

The Climate Heritage Network was launched on the 24th October in Edinburgh. This is an international network, reflected both in the attendees and the presentations skyped in from around the world. While the launch was a physical event the network is proposed to be virtual, a conduit for information sharing on the role heritage has in addressing the climate emergency. The event was live streamed and the whole day can be viewed here. However, it may be best summed up by an early comment from Alison Tickell of Julie’s Bicycle, for the need to “turn heritage from being a victim of climate change to a catalyst for climate action”.

BEFS has endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding – you can join too via their website – and BEFS is one of many organisations on the steering committee with a particular interest in contributing to discussions on the legislative imperative required at all levels of governance to address climate breakdown. BEFS Director, Euan Leitch, reflects on the main themes, challenges and BEFS hopes for the network, here.

The IHBC’s recently updated toolkit, Retrofitting of Traditional Buildings, may prove a useful resource in our endeavours to retain, use and repurpose existing building stock.

Those of you who enjoyed our Policy & Strategy Manager, Ailsa Macfarlane’s recent blog on What about wellbeing?, you may also find this research by the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property of interest: Heritage and Wellbeing: What Constitutes a Good Life?

Consultations

Circular Economy: Proposals for Legislation
Opened 7 Nov 2019 and closes 19 Dec 2019.

Proposal to designate two Historic Marine Protected Areas
Opened 30 Oct 2019 and closes 27 Nov. 2019.

The Replacement of European Structural Funds In Scotland Post EU-Exit
Opened 5 Nov 2019 and closes 12 Feb. 2020.

Proposed programme for reviewing and extending permitted development rights (PDR) in Scotland
Opened 5 Nov 2019 and closes 28 Jan 2020.

Crown Estate Scotland draft 2020-23 Corporate Plan Consultation
Closes 25 Nov 2019.

Consultation on The Principles of a Local Discretionary Transient Visitor Levy or Tourist Tax
Closes 2 Dec 2019.

The role of Public Sector Bodies in tackling climate change
Closes 4 Dec 2019.

Scottish Government’s Local Energy Policy Statement – Consultation
Closes 4 Dec 2019.

Proposed Remote Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
Consultation closes on 31 January 2020.

Publications

Understanding Land and Inequality (SLC 12/11/19)

Living with flooding: action plan (SG 11/11/19)

Empty Homes in Scotland (SP 10/11/19)

Inequality street – Housing and the 2019 general election (Resolution Foundation 09/11/19)

Homelessness in Scotland (SPICe Briefing 06/11/19)

Community right to buy: route map (SG 06/11/19)

Alternative Housing Tenures (SPICe 04/11/19)

Not under-regulated but under-enforced: A list of legislation affecting the private rented sector (RLA)

Grenfell Tower Inquiry – Phase 1 Report (01/11/19)

Scottish greenhouse gas emissions annual target report: 2017 (SG 30/10/19)

Scotland’s Churches Trust Annual Report 2019 (SCT 28/10/19)

The Contribution of Volunteering to Scotland’s Health and Wellbeing: 2020 – 2040 (Volunteering Scotland 10/19)

The Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh Building: The loss of a national treasure (SP 08/03/19)

Scottish Government News Releases

Tourism fund now open for applications (SG 11/11/19)
Tourist sites in Scotland’s rural areas can now apply for a share of £3 million funding aimed at helping them meet the demand of growing visitor numbers.

Flooding action plan launched (SG 11/11/19)
An action plan to help homeowners and businesses prevent damage caused by flooding has been launched.

Circular Economy Bill (SG 07/11/19)
Businesses, industry and individuals are being encouraged to seize on the nation’s talent for innovation by re-thinking how we use and reuse materials.

Tackling homelessness together (SG 07/11/19)
Universal standards for the quality of temporary homeless accommodation have been introduced by the Scottish Government.

Migration vital to Scotland’s future workforce (SG 05/11/19)
Immigration schemes can be an ‘immediate and direct’ way to tackle depopulation, an independent expert group has said.

EU funding (SG 05/11/19)
A consultation has been launched on a potential replacement to a £780 million European funding programme, if Brexit goes ahead.

Social housing to be more energy efficient (SG 05/11/19)
Tenants across Scotland to benefit from £3 million in funding.

Rural planning to be prioritised (SG 05/11/19)
The need for planning permission could be removed for certain types of rural developments to help tackle depopulation and support local economies.

News Releases

St Andrew’s Day Ticket Giveaway (HES 12/11/19)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) have thousands of free tickets to give away to some of the country’s best-loved historic abbeys, palaces, castles and cathedrals as Ticket Giveaway returns for 2019 on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December.

Call for compulsory sales orders to tackle the blight of empty homes (SP 10/11/19)
A Holyrood Committee has called on the Scottish Government to fulfil its commitment and introduce compulsory sales orders to tackle the blight of empty homes.

UK Government to protect international heritage from disasters and conflict (DCMS 04/11/19)
UK Government is extending the Cultural Protection Fund with an additional £10 million of investment.

More funding to help crack down on criminal landlords (MHCLG 04/11/19)
Additional £4 million funding for councils to tackle criminal landlords.

Blueprint for 100 multi-million pound Town Deals revealed (MHCLG 01/11/19)
Towns Fund prospectus paves the way for a new generation of Town Deals to regenerate town centres, boost businesses and improve infrastructure.

RTPI Scotland hosts Parliamentary Reception to mark 25th anniversary (RTPI 31/11/19)
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has marked the 25th anniversary of its Scottish office by hosting a Parliamentary reception at Holyrood.

£37,712 boost for Scottish heritage projects (HES 29/10/19)
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has awarded £37,712 to heritage projects across Scotland as part of its Historic Environment Support Fund.

Applications now open for the Sustainability Scholarship for 2020 (CIC 23/10/19)
The sustainability agenda continues to evolve and develop and affects every business. Whether you are interested in the advent of carbon accounting on projects or the importance of water conservation in the future, the Sustainability Scholarship encourages a company to carry out research using one of its employees.

Opinion & Comment

Regional Land Use Partnerships (Hamish Trench, SLC 12/11/19)

Ten messages from Scotland for Planners around the World (Cliff Hague 09/11/19)

World Town Planning Day – Past, Present and Future (Craig McLaren RTPI Scotland 09/11/19)

Circular Economy Materials for Low Carbon, Healthy Buildings (Zero Waste Scotland 11/19)

Between Urbanisation and Conservation: an Edinburgh perspective (EWH 03/11/19)

Inclusive Design: Beyond Accessibility (Design Council 28/10/19)

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Question S5W-26360: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 12/11/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to (a) meet the demand for accessible housing stock and (b) increase the use of accessible housing registers.

Question S5W-26361: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 12/11/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to update its policies on Housing for Varying Needs in order to improve accessibility standards for new residential properties.

Question S5W-26362: Graham Simpson, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 12/11/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage property owners of all tenures to alter their properties to achieve better accessibility standards.

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.

Question S5W-25890: Angus MacDonald, Falkirk East, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 17/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made toward completing the Land Register of Scotland by 2024, and what information it has regarding how many local authorities have not engaged in registering publicly-owned lands in their area.
Answered by Kate Forbes (01/11/2019)

Question S5W-25884: Colin Smyth, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to issue a revised climate change public engagement strategy, in line with the requirements of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
Answered by Roseanna Cunningham (05/11/2019)

Other Parliamentary Activity

Fallling Masonry debate on 30th October 2019
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab):
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many times masonry falls from housing have been reported in the past year. (S5O-03679)

Glasgow School of Art Fire debate on 30th October 2019
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame):
The next item of business is a Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee debate on motion S5M-19553, in the name of Joan McAlpine, on the Glasgow School of Art fire.

Events

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

Balancing act: Collections care in historic buildings
Date & time: Friday 15 November 2019; 9.30am – 4.30pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling
Cost: £27. HS Member £30. Standard ticket
Join us at the Engine Shed for this one-day conference.  Find out about our collections and hear from our collections staff and a range of other organisations including the Sottish Maritime Museum, as they talk about the challenges they face looking after collections in their care. To find out more information and to purchase tickets please check our website.

Is Scotland’s Housing Fit for Purpose?
Date & time: Thu, 21 November 2019, 18:00 – 21:00.
Venue: MacLaren Stuart Room (G.159), University of Edinburgh Law School, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL.
Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA) invites you to the fifth Howard Liddell Memorial Lecture: Eco Max 5. The theme is: Is Scotland’s Housing Fit for Purpose? Sandy Halliday will explore the Legacy of Sherry Arnstein, author of the seminal paper in the field of participatory decision making “Ladder of Citizen Participation”. This will be followed by Stirling Howieson discussing The Great Scottish Housing Disaster. Fionn Stevenson will then address the role of Housing and Post Occupancy Evaluation that looks forward as well as backwards, and works on the basis of empowering inhabitants through it! Andy Wightman will contribute thoughts on the subject prior to the discussion.

Roofing Mortars and Metals
Date & time: Friday 22 November 2019; 9.30am – 12.15pm.
Venue: Engine Shed, Stirling
Free – Booking essential
Hear from Historic Environment Scotland experts on how to carry out traditional roofing repairs, what mortars and binders to use, and the conservation of metals. This series is run in conjunction with Royal Incorporation of Architects(RIAS), and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).  This event is free but please remember to book early to avoid disappointment. To find out more information and to purchase tickets please check our website.

Lundie Church Consultation
Date & time: Friday 29th November 2019, between 2pm and 7pm.
Venue: Lunchie Church
Lundie is a Category A listed church of national significance located 10 miles north west of Dundee. The church includes the spectacular neo-classical Duncan Mausoleum of 1789 designed by Robert Mylne. A new use is required to secure the future of building following its closure as a place of worship. Historic Churches Scotland is carrying out a consultation to explore interest in Lundie Church amongst a wide range of stakeholders. We are keen to identify potential uses and users of the church, together with views on the suitability of new uses and any adaptations required. As part of the consultation process we are running a drop-in event at the church on Friday 29th November 2019, between 2pm and 7pm. This will allow people not familiar with the church to see inside, get an idea of the potential it offers, and share their thoughts with us. We would warmly welcome your attendance at the event, and invite you to contribute your views either in person on the day, or by contacting us at lundiefuture@gmail.com.

Custom House Leith Public Open Day
Date & time: Saturday 7th December 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Venue: Custom House, 65-67 Commercial Street, Edinburgh EH6 6HL
SHBT are opening the doors of Custom House for further awareness raising and public consultation on future plans for this historic maritime venue. The building is now mid-way through a feasibility study led by Richard Murphy Associates which is considering ways to reconfigure and design Custom house for future use. Custom House is a significant asset in Leith’s built heritage so now is the time to visit if you haven’t already done so. There will also be opportunities to meet our creative tenants and browse maker stalls running in the venue throughout the day. Drop in – no booking is required.

Edinburgh World Heritage’s Christmas Celebration 
Date & time: 6pm-8pm, Tuesday 10 December 2019
Venue: The French Institute, West Parliament Square, Edinburgh, EH1 1RF
Please join us to celebrate the arrival of the holiday season, as well as our 20th anniversary as a charity. Enjoy an evening of music, seasonal food and drink, and a bumper Christmas raffle. Tickets are £20, which includes a raffle ticket for our prize draw, a glass of fizz, canapés, live jazz music, as well as a contribution towards our 20th anniversary fundraising efforts. We do hope you can join us for this festive celebration. The Edinburgh World Heritage Team.

Riddle’s Court Public Open Day
Date & time: Thursday 12th December, 11.00 am – 4.00 pm
Venue: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
It’s been just over two years since SHBT inaugurated the renovated Riddle’s Court as the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning & Conservation and work to maintain this historic 16th century merchant’s house continues! Join us as we welcome Karen Dundas and colleagues from Scottish Wall Painting who are conducting some restoration work for us. This is a rare opportunity to see conservation in action and to view the innovative designs and interventions SHBT made to make Riddle’s Court accessible for all. Drop in – no booking required.

Training

Internal & External Lime Finishes – A place for all mortars Masterclass
Date & time: 22 November 2019; 09.30 – 16.30.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife.
Cost: Special discounted rate – £140 + vat
This latest masterclass in the ‘A place for all mortars’ series aims to give context in harling practice, show case studies of worked examples of both harling and plastering, and give some steer as to how we cope going forward with harsher weather patterns. In our ever changing climate (weather and economy) as specifiers and users, we have the responsibility to safeguard our built heritage. Learning from the past and planning for the future is the most crucial for the external and internal finishes of a traditional building. As with all the masterclasses in the ‘A place for all mortars’ series, it will address all mortars and the advantages and disadvantages of various applications when modern pressures force us to look at mortars more practically.

CPD: Climate Change Impacts on the Historic Environment
Date & time: Wednesday 4th December 2019; 12.30-1.30pm.
Venue: GCHT, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow.
Climate change is one of the major threats currently facing our historic environment. David Harkin from Historic Environment Scotland will be speaking about climate change impacts on the historic environment, the climate hazards that drive these impacts, what makes historic assets vulnerable or resilient to these impacts and possible adaption measures that could be applied in light of these changes. Attendees will be able to pick up a copy of the recently released Our Place in Time (OPIT) Guide to Climate Change Impacts on the Scotland’s Historic Environment. David Harkin is Historic Environment Scotland’s Climate Change Scientist and one of the primary authors of the Guide to Climate Change Impacts on the Scotland’s Historic Environment.

Vacancies

Land Use Partnerships Project Manager
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the role will lead a new fixed term workstream to develop proposals for regional land use partnerships.
Closing date for applications is 5 pm on Friday 29 November 2019.

New Appointments to the Board of Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland are looking for up to four new members to join the Board at an exciting time for the organisation.
Closing date is Friday, 6 December 2019 (Midnight).

BACK

BEFS News

Over the last few months BEFS has been working with the Church of Scotland General Trustees, in relation to the Church’s Radical Action plan for their land and buildings. BEFS has been facilitating sessions with Church members across Scotland (as well as participating in a Webinar) to promote and discuss issues brought forth in the related online survey. This week, the final workshop event for stakeholders and the heritage sector was held in Edinburgh to get an understanding of wider views and issues related to potential changes to the Church estate. Resulting data from the online survey (which has received well over 1000 responses), opinions gathered from the facilitated sessions, and the final sector workshop summary will all form part of a (BEFS produced) publicly available report in early 2020. BEFS involvement has been designed to not only support the General Trustees with this substantial consultation exercise, but to enable the views of those supporting civic Scotland to better understand the issues and possibilities of changes to the Church estate.

The Scottish Parliamentary Working Group on Tenement Maintenance has been meeting since March 2018 with the purpose of establishing solutions to aid, assist and compel owners of tenement properties to maintain their buildings. This film was commissioned for the conference Tenements Today, Tenements Tomorrow organised by BEFS, the Scottish Civic Trust and Under One Roof.  The conference examined the Final Report of Recommendations which the working group propose will enhance the ability of tenement owners to work collectively encouraging and enabling effective maintenance and repair of their properties. This would require mandatory: owners Associations, building reserve funds, and 5 yearly building surveys. You can read the full conference report here.

The Scottish Household Survey 2018: Annual Report was published in September 2019 and Karen Robertson, Senior Research Manager, Historic Environment Scotland, has pulled together the key findings for the historic environment sector in an informative blog this week.

Community Heritage is front and centre of many new heritage strategies and visitor attractions in Scotland. Scotland’s Community Heritage Conference 2019, on 9th November in Birnam, is a one-day celebration of the best of Community Heritage across Scotland. The International Conference on Community Heritage, on 8th November in St Andrews, is the culmination of a research workshops project seeking to understand the current needs and future aspirations of the Scottish community heritage sector.

Consultations

Proposed Remote Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill
Lodged 25 October 2019. Consultation closes on 31 January 2020.

Scottish Government’s Local Energy Policy Statement – Consultation
Opened 9 Oct 2019 and closes 4 Dec 2019.

Crown Estate Scotland draft 2020-23 Corporate Plan Consultation
Closes 25 Nov 2019.

Consultation on The Principles of a Local Discretionary Transient Visitor Levy or Tourist Tax
Closes 2 Dec 2019.

The role of Public Sector Bodies in tackling climate change
Closes 4 Dec 2019.

The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020: accompanying statement and proposed regulations
Closes 10 Dec 2019.

Consultation Responses

Short-term lets consultation: response analysis (SG 28/10/19)

Publications

Short-term lets – impact on communities: research (SG 28/10/19)

Regional Spatial Strategies – Summary Note (SG 28/10/19)

Revised CIfA Code of Conduct published (CIfA 23/10/19)

Local development plan: Highland (SG 23/10/19)

The route to clean growth: Using local industrial strategies to drive change (Green Alliance 23/10/19)

Environment Bill 2nd Reading in the House of Commons: Briefing on the Exclusion of the Historic Environment (THA 22/10/19)

Putting People at the Heart of the Green Transition (IPPR 22/10/19)

Community Empowerment Act Parts 3 and 5: independent evaluation – interim findings (SG 21/10/19)

Statements of Heritage Significance: Analysing Significance in Heritage Assets (HE 21/10/19)

Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland 2019 (HES 16/10/19)

Inspiring Creativity, Heritage & The Creative Industries (THA 14/10/19)

Creative industries: policy statement (SG 11/10/19)

Scottish Government News Releases

Landmark agreement to boost repopulation (SG 29/10/19)
Council leaders and key organisations across the Highlands and Islands have agreed to work with the Scottish Government to tackle population decline.

Safeguarding environmental standards (SG 29/10/19)
In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit an advisory panel will be established to ensure Scotland’s environmental standards aren’t compromised, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has announced.

Short-term lets (SG 28/10/19)
A consultation on short-term lets found wide support for regulation, according to independent analysis published today.

Supporting communities to deliver change (SG 23/10/19)
Projects to mitigate inequality, tackle climate change and help put social enterprise products on high street shelves are to benefit from £1.8 million of funding.

Scotland’s population projections (SG 21/10/19)
Scots are expected to live longer but inward migration will be essential to ensure the country’s population continues to grow, according to national statistics published today.

Strengthening Scotland’s creative industries (SG 12/10/19)
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop today set out her vision for the creative industries while visiting cultural and creative collaborations between Japan and Scotland.

News Releases

Communities Secretary launches ‘most ambitious heritage preservation campaign for 40 years’ (MHCLG 22/10/19)
Local people will be empowered to nominate heritage buildings which are important to them and reflect their local area and identity in the most ambitious local heritage campaign for 40 years, launched by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick.

Housing minister calls for a digital revolution in the property sector (MHCLG 21/10/19)
Local data to be released to help the property sector unlock land and unleash the potential of home builders.

Getting the measure of brochs (HES 18/10/19)
Have you ever wondered how you monitor an Iron Age monument located on a remote, deserted Shetland island? Or ever wanted to explore the famous Mousa Broch up close in 3D? Now’s your chance!

Historic Environment Scotland to review Scotland’s historic lighthouses (HES 17/10/19)
Lighthouses up and down the country will be reviewed for listing as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020.

Urban green spaces raise nearby house prices by an average of £2,500 (ONS 14/10/19)
Urban properties close to public parks, gardens and playing fields are more expensive, analysis reveals. Explore your area to see how much green space adds to the value of your property.

Heritage & Wellbeing (THA 14/10/19)
The Heritage Alliance, in partnership with Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, is trying to understand how wellbeing is being prioritised within the heritage sector, and so we’ve created a survey about this topic.

National Planning Framework 4 – The Essentials! (SG 08/10/19)
We have started work to prepare our fourth NPF (NPF4) which will look to Scotland in 2050. It will guide spatial development, set out our national policies, designate national developments and reflect regional spatial priorities.

Brexit guidance for DCMS sectors (DCMS 02/10/19)
This collection page brings together guidance and step by step information for DCMS sectors and policy areas to help get ready for Brexit.

Opinion & Comment

When refurbishing tower blocks, listen to the experts: the residents (AJ 23/10/19)

Why planning needs better outcome measurement (RTPI 23/10/19)

Is the UK up to the task of retrofitting homes to zero-carbon standards? (RICS 23/10/19)

Recycling buildings in the circular economy (SpaceTech 16/10/19)

City Spread and New Neighbourhoods (Cliff Hague 15/10/19)

Kids Who Get Driven Everywhere Don’t Know Where They’re Going (Citylab)

Parliamentary Question

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Question S5W-25890: Angus MacDonald, Falkirk East, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 17/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made toward completing the Land Register of Scotland by 2024, and what information it has regarding how many local authorities have not engaged in registering publicly-owned lands in their area.

Question S5W-25884: Colin Smyth, South Scotland, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 17/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to issue a revised climate change public engagement strategy, in line with the requirements of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Question S5W-25965: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many residential properties are owned by Scottish Canals, and where they are located.

Question S5W-25963: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) capital and (b) revenue budget for housing maintenance and repair has been for Scottish Canals in each year since its inception.

Question S5W-25966: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether residential properties owned by Scottish Canals meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and, if not, for what reason.

Question S5W-25969: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether Scottish Canals has a risk register for residential properties in its portfolio that require substantial upgrading or repair.

Question S5W-25964: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how many residential properties were owned by British Waterways in Scotland in each of the last five years of its operation, and where they were located.

Question S5W-25961: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 24/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what the (a) capital and (b) revenue budget was for housing maintenance and repair for British Waterways in Scotland in each of the last five years of its operation.

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.

Question S5W-24858: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/08/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent since September 2016 to make public sector buildings more energy efficient.
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse (21/10/2019)

Question S5W-25588: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether the level at which a tourism levy is set will be a decision for individual local authorities.
Answered by Kate Forbes (10/10/2019)

Question S5W-25587: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether the use of the resources raised by a tourism levy will be a decision for individual local authorities.
Answered by Kate Forbes (10/10/2019)

Question S5W-25586: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether the decision on introducing a tourism levy will be made by individual local authorities.
Answered by Kate Forbes (10/10/2019)

Question S5W-25585: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether a tourism levy will be in place by the end of the parliamentary session.
Answered by Kate Forbes (10/10/2019)

Other Parliamentary Activity

PE01749: Financial viability of listed buildings
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to ensure that
•    financial viability studies are conducted on listed buildings requiring restoration and/or maintenance,
•    responsibility of ownership is established for this work and;
•    financial assistance is provided where listed buildings are at risk of falling into disrepair.

PE01748: Provide protection for small communities in Scottish planning policy
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to provide specific provision within the National Planning Framework 3 (NPF 3) and the Scottish Planning Policy for small communities which:
•    Provides for a pre-development community asset and infrastructure audit when an area is identified as being able to accommodate large-scale, urban growth and;
•    Protects areas considered by its community to be high value scenic assets and at risk of the coalescence of communities.

Events

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

The History and Archaeology of Clocks Lectures
Dates: Monday 4th November and Tuesday 5th November 2019
Venue: Eric Liddell Centre, Edinburgh.
We are delighted that as part of our 5th Anniversary Celebrations Xu Kun (James Xu), the Director of an Antique Clock and Watch business and Vice Director of the Chinese Horology Association, Clock Research Department will be giving two lectures at the Eric Liddell Centre in Edinburgh. Antique clocks have always played an important role in the international decorative art market. Historically, the Chinese Imperial Palace always had close ties with imported antique clocks. The stories behind these mysterious instruments are enchanting and fascinating. These lectures are a great opportunity to learn about antique clocks, the technology involved in their creation and their history.

Scotland’s Community Heritage Conference 2019
Date & time: Sat, 9 November 2019; 09:00 – 16:00.
Venue: Birnam Arts & Conference Centre, Station Road, Birnam PH8 0DS.
A one day celebration of the best of Community Heritage across Scotland. Now in its 9th year, the conference offers an opportunity for community heritage groups to gather, share experiences, celebrate their achievements, learn from each other and discuss, debate, and plan for the future. We will again be hosting breakout training workshops aimed at helping you develop and deliver your heritage project, and the very popular one-minute mayhem will return! Please join us for a packed day of talks, workshops and displays. Hot rolls will be available from 8.30am.

Viking Scotland: Results, Opportunities and Ways Forward
Date & time: November 11 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Venue: National Museum Scotland.
Lecture by Dr Colleen Batey FSA Scot (Centre for Northern Studies, University of Highlands and Islands). It is 20 years since the seminal volume Vikings in Scotland: an archaeological survey was published by Edinburgh University Press (EUP) under the authorship of James Graham-Campbell and Colleen Batey. This period has brought many changes to our understanding of the Scandinavian presence in Scotland, some through the results of targeted research agendas, others through chance finds during field survey and metal detecting. The published integration of all aspect of archaeological endeavour – both on and off-site, has provided a unique opportunity to re-assess the impact of this period which spanned essentially 600 years.

Communities for a Changing Population 2019
Date: November 12th 2019.
Venue: Saracen House, Glasgow.
This conference will explore how a greater focus on innovative, sustainable and community-led planning can support both the development and future-proofing of communities, as well as seeking to influence changes in public policy, by an evolutionary approach to placemaking and the future of Scottish society. The conference also represents a unique forum for knowledge exchange, open discussion and cross-sector engagement while presenting an opportunity for delegates to engage with buyers and suppliers.

Glasgow Pub Social 
Date & time: 13 November 2019 5:30pm
Venue: Old Toll Bar Glasgow
The 4th of SPAB Scotland’s pub socials will be held on Wednesday, 13th November at the Old Toll Bar in Glasgow. Join us starting at 5:30pm for an informal get-together, drinks, and socialising in one Glasgow’s best surviving Victorian pub interiors! Get over that mid-week slump with one of the pub’s offerings from its exquisite cocktail menu! All Built Heritage enthusiasts, builders, craftspeople, professionals and scholars cordially invited. Don’t know anyone? Look for the SPAB Magazine on the table. SPAB Scotland committee members Jamie McNamara, Tom Hay and Stephanie Weinraub will be happy to welcome all new faces!

Scottish Building Contract Committee: Annual Conference 2019
Date & time: Thursday 14 November 2019; 09.30 – 16.30.
Venue: Surgeon’s Quarter, Nicholson Street, Edinburgh.
Cost: Early bird: £135 (until 31 October). Full delegate: £180. Student / Retired: £48.
SBCC’s 2019 Annual Conference will provide a definitive guide to the latest developments in building contracts and construction law in Scotland. This year will focus on some of the challenging financial and economic issues affecting the industry and initiatives to help address them and protect cash flow.

Lecture: Ernest Gimpson and the SPAB – Annette Carruthers
Date & time: 14 November 2019; 18:00 – 20:00
Venue: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
On the centenary of the death of Ernest Gimson, who was a central figure in the British Arts & Crafts Movement. Following the anticipated publication of a new book covering his life, Annette Carruthers will present a lecture delving into this legacy, career, and involvement with SPAB spanning more than thirty years, with particular focus on his role as a conservationist and collaborations with several Scottish Arts & Crafts architects, including Robert Weir Schultz, Francis Troup and William Weir. A drinks reception will follow the lecture. All drinks included in the ticket price. Tickets required and available via the link.

Glasgow’s Great Industrial Buildings
Date & Time: 21 November 2019; Coffee / tea at 7pm; Lectures start at 7:30pm.
Venue: The Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow.
John Hume, historian of industrial archaeology and architecture examines some of the extraordinary, magnificent and, indeed, noble buildings put up by Glasgow’s industrialists in the 19th and early 20th Centuries.

Disused and Derelict Land Use and Assets 2019
Date: November 26th 2019.
Venue: The Studios, Glasgow.
Vacant and derelict land affects our communities and their potential. These sites can have a negative impact on an area, causing social, economic and environmental harm. However, these sites also present opportunities for long term regeneration, renewal, growth, revived communities and reduced inequalities. It is key to Scotland’s future that this land is brought into use, which is why agencies such as The Scottish Land Commission and SEPA have set up a Task Force to take strategic responsibility for vacant and derelict land. This will act as a catalyst for addressing long-term land vacancy and dereliction across Scotland.

RSA Angus Millar Lecture Climate Change: Treading on Thin Ice
Date & time: Tue, 26 November 2019, 18:00 – 20:00.
Venue: Dovecot Studios Ltd, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT.
We are in the midst of a Planetary Emergency. Climate breakdown and mass extinction of species are converging with widespread socio-economic inequality and political radicalisation. The global system is now in dire need of systemic and transformational change. And yet, we have an unprecedented opportunity to emerge from emergency to a world of human and planetary well-being. In this lecture, Sandrine Dixson-Decleve will explain The Club of Rome’s Climate and Planetary Emergency Plans response to this urgent call and how they will provide the key levers of change to secure the future of people and planet.

Plenderleith lecture: After the dust has settled – rediscovering the spirit of the Mackintosh
Date: November 28th 2019 from 6 – 7.30pm.
Venue: The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, G1 3NU.
So much of the fabric of the iconic Glasgow School of Art building was destroyed in the devastating fire of June 2018 – the building currently exists largely in the virtual world of recordings, drawings, scholarly essays and memories. Over a year later, the Mackintosh Building is slowly beginning to piece together its future again, a journey of making the intangible tangible.Icon Scotland Group is delighted to welcome Project Manager Liz Davidson who will explore the task of the reconstruction project for this year’s Harold Plenderleith Memorial Lecture. The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception and is preceded by Icon Scotland Group’s AGM from 5.15 -5.45pm to which all Group members are invited.

James Miller (1860-1947) 
Date & time: 23 January 2020; Coffee / tea at 7pm; Lectures start at 7:30pm.
Venue: The Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow.
Fergus Sutherland of Icosse Heritage and Media talks about the career of one of Glasgow’s most successful (and least discussed) architects, the wonderfully eclectic James Miller.

Edwin Smith, a genius at photography
Date & time: 3rd February 2020; 6.30pm.
Venue: St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 13 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PA
Cost: £5 (Students free). Non-members welcome. Members may attend 6 lectures for £25.
When, in 1966, Edinburgh University Press published “The Making of Classical Edinburgh” by Professor A J Youngson with specially commissioned photographs by Edwin Smith, few could have foreseen the impact the book would have on moves to save Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town. John Summerson described Edwin Smith as “A genius at photography” and his work was widely published. The collection of Smith’s images was donated by his widow, Olive Cook, to the RIBA, and we are fortunate to have as a speaker Valeria Carullo, Curator of the Robert Elwall Photographs Collection at the RIBA British Architecture Library. This is a joint lecture with The Aperture Trust.

Building of the University of Glasgow, 1451-2020
Date & time: 20 February 2020; Coffee / tea at 7pm; Lectures start at 7:30pm.
Venue: The Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow.
Nick Haynes, historic environment consultant traces the architectural history of the University from its origins in the High Street to the most recent developments at Gilmorehill.

Training

Internal & External Lime Finishes – A place for all mortars Masterclass
Date & time: 22 November 2019; 09.30 – 16.30.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife.
Cost: Special discounted rate – £140 + vat.
In our ever changing climate (weather and economy) as specifiers and users, we have the responsibility to safeguard our built heritage. This latest masterclass in the ‘A place for all mortars’ series aims to give context in harling practice, show case studies of worked examples of both external finishes and plastering, and give some steer as to how we cope going forward with harsher weather patterns. As with all the masterclasses in the ‘A place for all mortars’ series, it will address all mortars and the advantages and disadvantages of various applications when modern pressures force us to look at mortars more practically.

NEW! Repairing Traditional Masonry Structures
Date & times: 17 January 2020; 09.30 – 16.30.
Venue: Merryhill Training Centre, Fife
Cost: £190 + VAT
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 using natural stone and the range of lime and early patented cements that have been used in the past as bedding and pointing mortars. These structures contribute so much to the richness of our built heritage. But in many cases, we are asking these structures to outperform any of the expectations that their original designers intended 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. This workshop is taught by a blend of theory and practical ‘hands-on’ sessions.

Vacancies

Membership and Fundraising Officer
Edinburgh World Heritage is looking to appoint a highly motivated, professional and well-organised membership and fundraising professional to this important role within our team.

Project Officer
Stirling City Heritage Trust is seeking an enthusiastic conservation or building professional to work as Projects Officer supporting both the Trust Manager and SCHT team.  The Projects Officer has a key role in delivery of the Trust’s traditional building repair grants and outreach projects including traditional skills training and heritage education.

Intern Project Officer
RTPI Scotland looking for a motivated person who can use collaborative and analytical skills to support the engagement of our Scottish membership with the development of NPF4.

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BEFS News

A new guide to help manage climate change risk to historic sites has now been published by Historic Environment Scotland. BEFS was on the working group to help create A Guide to Climate Change Impacts, and hopes it will open up conversations on climate change adaptation solutions, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of our historic environment.

The Scottish Government is considering proposals that would end planning permission requirements for developments that “radically help address climate change”. Developments such as electric vehicle charging stations or centres for generating local renewable energy could be automatically approved. The proposals also include measures to empower communities and local organisations to get involved in planning, as well as proposals to deliver more affordable homes in rural areas.

The Scottish Householder Survey 2018 was published in September and the statistics for visits to ”historic places” are commonly used as one means of evaluating success in the heritage sector. 34% of those surveyed visited a historic place, a drop of 1% over the previous year, and adults with degrees or professional qualifications were much more likely to visit. The obvious response to this is for increased efforts being made to ensure heritage reaches a wider audience but a recent article from Dr David Stevenson is thought provoking on the hierarchical assumptions currently made in cultural participation policies.

In a week when tenement maintenance is once again in the news, Under One Roof, the information website that provides Impartial advice on repairs and maintenance for flat owners in Scotland, is seeking your views on its future.

Sticking with the theme, in our blog this week, Gavin Lindsay from Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust shares how building skills demonstrations are inspiring future generations in the skills needed to maintain Scotland’s traditional buildings.

Archaeology Scotland are delighted to announce today that the booking for the 2019 Scotland’s Community Heritage Conference is open! Now in its ninth year, the conference offers an opportunity for community heritage groups to gather, share experiences, celebrate their achievements, learn from each other and discuss, debate, and plan for the future.

Finally, a number of built environment related parliamentary questions have been answered since our last bulletin, covering topics such as listed buildings, tourism tax, energy efficiency, and the culture strategy. See below for details.

Consultations

Practical Fire Safety Guidance for existing Specialised Housing and other supported domestic accommodation
Closes 22 Oct 2019.

A Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy
Closes 23 Oct 2019.

Transforming Service Delivery at Falkirk Council
Reviewing how we can deliver services differently in order to make better use of our public buildings.
Closes 31 Oct 2019.

Crown Estate Scotland draft 2020-23 Corporate Plan Consultation
Closes 25 Nov 2019.

Consultation on The Principles of a Local Discretionary Transient Visitor Levy or Tourist Tax
Closes 2 Dec 2019.

The role of Public Sector Bodies in tackling climate change
Closes 4 Dec 2019.

The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020: accompanying statement and proposed regulations
Closes 10 Dec 2019.

Consultation Responses

Environmental principles and governance after Brexit: responses to consultation (SG 04/10/19)

Proposed New-Build Homes (Buyer Protection) (Scotland) Bill – Graham Simpson MSP: Summary of Consultation Responses (SP)

Publications

Scotland’s Green Investment Portfolio: call for projects (SG 09/10/19)

Local level Brexit vulnerabilities in Scotland: Brexit Vulnerabilities Index (BVI) (SG 09/10/19)

Adoption of Scottish planning policy in local development plans: research (SG 09/10/19)

A Guide To Climate Change Impacts (HES 08/10/19)

Funding Sources for Bringing Vacant and Derelict Land Back in to Use (SLC 07/10/19)

A Review of Funding Sources for the Re-use of Vacant and Derelict Land (SLC 07/10/19)

Vacant and Derelict Land in Scotland: Assessing the Impact of Vacant and Derelict Land on Communities (SLC 07/10/19)

National Planning Framework 3: monitoring report (SG 04/10/19)

Scotland’s islands: proposed national plan (SG 03/10/19)

Transforming Planning in Practice – Post-Bill Work Programme (SG 30/09/19)

First report on the operation of The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (SP 30/09/19)

Land and Communities: Beyond the Echo Chambers (SLC 26/09/19)

A&DS Annual Report and Accounts 2018/19 (A&DS 09/19)

Wealth of the Nation: Who Will Do the Jobs? (David Hume 09/19)

The Value of Maintenance? (HE 09/09/19)

Planning and Architecture Division business plan 2019-2020 (SG 09/09/19)

Past Lives of Leith: Archaeological Work for Edinburgh Trams

Scottish Government News Releases

Rural and island areas among most vulnerable to impact of Brexit (SG 09/10/19)
Interactive map displays risks of leaving the EU for communities across Scotland.

Protecting the environment after Brexit (SG 04/10/19)
Brexit threatens to have a negative impact on environmental protection, according to consultation responses published today.

Building a zero carbon future (SG 30/09/19)
Climate change top of the agenda for new planning system.

Scottish Crown Estate (SG 29/09/19)
Coastal communities are to benefit from £7.5 million of revenue generated from the Scottish Crown Estate’s marine assets in the first year of devolved management.

Scotland to become a net-zero society (SG 26/09/19)
Scotland’s contribution to climate change will end definitively within a generation under the Climate Change Bill to be voted on by the Scottish Parliament later.

News Releases

Adapt Northern Heritage Conference 2020 – call for contributions
The Adapt Northern Heritage Conference 2020 is accepting abstract submissions. The conference will explore the impact of climate change on historic places and how we are adapting to make historic places more resilient to climate change. Deadline: Thursday 17th October 2019.

Scotland’s Green Investment Portfolio: call for projects (SG 09/10/19)
The Scottish Government is leading a drive to develop a Green Investment Portfolio to select and promote market ready, investor-grade green projects that are seeking private capital, including in the built environment.

New guide to help manage climate change risk to historic sites (HES 08/10/19)
A new guide to help Scotland’s historic sites adapt to the impacts of climate change has been published today.

Derelict sites contribute to perceptions of urban decline (SLC 07/10/19)
The Scottish Land Commission this week publishes a research report on the Impact of Vacant and Derelict Land on Communities, which finds that derelict sites can affect a community’s health, environment, economy and social cohesion.

AHF invests in Scotland’s small town landmark buildings (AHF 01/10/19)
In our latest round of investment, the AHF has awarded £115,763 of grants to 14 projects across Scotland to help communities find sustainable new uses for historic buildings.

Housing Secretary unveils green housing revolution (MHCLG 01/10/19)
A new green standard for new build homes will bring an environmental revolution to home building.

Social Investment partners join forces to provide capacity-building support for heritage organisations (AHF 26/09/19)
Social enterprises and charities running historic buildings now have the opportunity to access RePlan, a new capacity-building support service available through the Heritage Impact Fund. The three-year service is funded by the Architectural Heritage Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and further supported by Historic England.

Enhancing place-based partnerships in public engagement (UKRI 05/09/19)
A new £500,000 funding opportunity is being made available to support research organisations UK-wide to pilot place-based public engagement partnerships and activities.

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Question S5W-25585: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether a tourism levy will be in place by the end of the parliamentary session.

Question S5W-25586: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether the decision on introducing a tourism levy will be made by individual local authorities.

Question S5W-25587: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether the use of the resources raised by a tourism levy will be a decision for individual local authorities.

Question S5W-25588: Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 01/10/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether the level at which a tourism levy is set will be a decision for individual local authorities.

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.

Question S5W-24859: Finlay Carson, Galloway and West Dumfries, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 22/08/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how much funding it has made available to local authorities to carry out SEEP (Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme) pilots since September 2016.
Answered by Paul Wheelhouse (17/09/2019)

Question S5W-24947: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 26/08/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the development of its culture strategy.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (06/09/2019)

Question S5W-24943: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 26/08/2019
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to consider holding an inquiry into the 2018 fire at the Glasgow School of Art.
Answered by Richard Lochhead (24/09/2019)

Question S5W-25163: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 05/09/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend the Empty Homes Partnership programme.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (19/09/2019)

Question S5W-25207: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 06/09/2019 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken an assessment of which local authorities are expected to introduce a transient visitor levy when they have the power to do so and, if so, which they are.
Answered by Kate Forbes (23/09/2019)

Question S5W-25209: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 06/09/2019 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any research that it has undertaken on the potential impact of a transient visitor levy on the income of local authorities that adopt one.
Answered by Kate Forbes (19/09/2019)

Question S5W-25208: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 06/09/2019 R
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken of the potential impact of transient visitor levies on the tourism sector.
Answered by Kate Forbes (19/09/2019)

Question S5W-25253: Dean Lockhart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10/09/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what regulations are in place to ensure the appropriate maintenance of category (a) B and (b) C listed buildings.
Answered by Fiona Hyslop (27/09/2019)

Question S5W-25418: David Stewart, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/09/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in its Programme for Government to “put in place more stringent fire safety provisions for external wall cladding systems”, what plans it has to stop the alternative route of (a) desktop studies and (b) BS 84814, which allows combustible materials onto the outside of buildings, and when it will release further details of its plans.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (30/09/2019)

Events

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

Irving New Town: Scotland’s Lost Utopia
Date & location: Free walking tour in Irvine: 12 October. Talk in Edinburgh: 12 November.
The archaeologist Joss Durnan is organising for Saturday, 12 October, a free, guided walking tour of Irvine New Town, and will talk, for Docomomo Scotland, in Edinburgh on Tuesday, 12 November, about this fascinating new town development. Irvine was Scotland’s fifth New Town, and is the UK’s only New Town by the seaside. As a New Town, Irvine pioneered a number of visionary ideas and built on the innovations of its predecessors. What happened to the bold vision of the future that Irvine Development Corporation sought to create for Irvine, and how do the fragments of their dream hold up to scrutiny 50 years on?

Creating Scotland: Assembling a Medieval Kingdom
Date & time: October 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Venue: Auditorium, National Museum Scotland (Use Lothian Street entrance).
Lecture: In conversation with Hamish Torrie FSA Scot (The Glenmorangie Company), Dr Adrian Maldonado (National Museums Scotland) and Dr Heather Pulliam (University of Edinburgh). The medieval kingdom called Scotland was not a predestined or obvious outcome of the politics of the first millennium AD. Even in the twelfth century, Britain north of the Tweed was a patchwork of laws, languages and identities. Do the art and artefacts of the 9-12th century provide a different perspective on the formation of a feudal kingdom? This conversation event discusses the impact of ten years of the Glenmorangie Research Project at National Museums Scotland, and the unique perspective which comes from a focus on the material culture

Bridging the Gap: exploring the path to leadership in heritage
Date & time: Thu, 24 October 2019; 19:00 – 21:00.
Venue: The Mews, 35 Young Street North Lane, Edinburgh, EH2 4JD.
As part of Edinburgh World Heritage’s Heritage Leadership School, we’re hosting talks and discussions with heritage industry leaders. Learn about the many and varied paths to leadership – and discover the tools you’ll need to develop your leadership skills for the future. The evening will cover three main elements 1) Strategic planning 2) How to take a mission and vision and make it reality as well as how to maintain this 3) Exploring the balance of opportunity versus the vision. Confirmed speakers include Xerxes Mazda, Director of Curation at the National Museum of Scotland, and Barbara Cummins, Director of Heritage at Historic Environment Scotland.

“All in a Blaze”: The Story of African-American Freedom-Fighters in Edinburgh
Date & time: Tuesday 29 October 2019 at 6pm
Venue: Auditorium, Carrubbers Centre, 65 High Street, Edinburgh.
We are delighted that Professor Celeste-Marie Bernier will give our Black History Month lecture this year on the story of 19th-century African American authors and activists who had links to the city. Until now the stories and activities of this grass-roots movement have received little attention, and this unique lecture will provide a fresh insight into this untold aspect of Edinburgh’s revolutionary and radical history. Professor Bernier is Personal Chair in English Literature and Professor of United States and Atlantic Studies at the University of Edinburgh. She will be signing copies of her biography of Frederick Douglass and his family If I Survive after the lecture.

HTN: Business Planning and Risk Management
Date & time: Monday 4th November 9.30am – 5pm.
Venue: Spectrum Centre, Inverness.
Join us in Inverness to network with organisations working with heritage all over Scotland and to receive training on two key areas of heritage regeneration. Douglas Westwater of Community Enterprise will deliver the training on Business Planning and Risk Management drawing on his wealth of experience in the area. Analyse what you have done to date, learn how to do it better and whether you should be taking the risk. We will also hear from two local heritage case studies, including Hannah MacSween from The Muir Hub in Muir of Ord and Alison Tanner, Project Officer at Inverness City Heritage Trust, whilst making sure that there is plenty of time for attendees to network, problem solve and share their news. Members and non-members welcome.

Marine Spatial Challenge CPD Event 2019
Date & time: 8 November – 9:30am to 4:30pm
Venue: Town House, Castle Wynd, Inverness IV2 3BJ
Scotland is forward thinking when it comes to Marine Spatial Planning. With a growing interest in sustaining our planet and depictions of the crisis affecting our marine environment the MSP Challenge board game is a tool which has been used in several stakeholder engagement activities in recent years. It is a table top strategy game where a fictitious sea basin is designed on the board and different maritime activities are represented by colourful acrylate tiles. This event gives planners the opportunity to engage in and be familiarised with the process of Marine Spatial Planning.

Through the years, across the globe
Date & time: 8 November – 1:30am to 4:00pm
Venue: Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee, Old Hawkhill, Balfour Street, Dundee, DD1 4HB.
Calling all students, planners and international planners. We’d love you to join us for a celebration of the 70th anniversary of World Town Planning Day. This is a free event in collaboration with Dundee University. The afternoon will explore:
•    Scottish Planning through the years
•    Learning from the International Context, and
•    Learning from Young Planners
We’ll also have an international live-twitter feed #WTPD2019.
Limited spaces available so book yours now.

Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Archaeology Conference
Date & time: Saturday November 16, 2019; 9:00 – 16:45.
Venue: Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh
This annual conference is organised by City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council and Scottish Borders Council. It provides an important opportunity to hear and discuss first-hand accounts of the archaeological fieldwork and research being undertaken in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and the Scottish Borders.

Heritage Transforming Neighbourhoods
Dates: 17th-19th November.
Venue: The Guildhall, Derry, Londonderry.
Join the Heritage Trust Network for our annual conference 2019, this year taking place in Northern Ireland! Our fantastic line up of speakers will focus on how to revive your High Street or Main Street, in both rural and urban areas across the UK, using a sustainable business model. There will be inspiring case studies, key guidance and interactive workshops to help your group succeed.

Futureproofing Our Towns and Cities: Embracing the Opportunities
Date & times: Wednesday 20th November 2019
Venue: The Music Hall, Aberdeen.
This year, Scotland’s Towns Partnership and Scotland’s Improvement Districts will bring together 150+ senior level stakeholders from across public, private and third sectors, working to support our towns and city districts. This is a once-a-year chance to get together with national and international place stakeholders; share challenges and opportunities; and to feel inspired and re-energised by the latest thinking, pilots and supports, funding and resources for your place.

After the dust has settled  – rediscovering the spirit of the Mackintosh – Plenderleith lecture 
Date: November 28th 2019 from 6 – 7.30pm.
Venue: The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, G1 3NU.
It has been over a year now since the devastating fire of June 2018 and the iconic Mackintosh Building is slowly beginning to piece together a future for itself.  So much of the fabric was destroyed that the building currently exists largely in the virtual world of recordings, drawings, scholarly essays and memories.  The philosophy behind achieving a future for the building is still being developed and challenged by the project team and by the wider community. In this lecture, project manager Liz Davidson will explore the task of the reconstruction project – making the intangible tangible. The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception and is preceded by Icon Scotland Group’s AGM from 5.15 -5.45pm to which all Group members are invited.

Vacancies

Traditional Skills Officer- Deadline extended
An exciting opportunity has become available for an entry-level professional to support the implementation of Glasgow City Heritage Trust’s traditional skills and material programmes for the benefit of all people living and working in and visiting Glasgow.
The deadline for application submission has been extended to 11th October 2019 at 12:00 noon.

Building Repair Grants Manager
An exciting opportunity has become available for a professional to support the implementation of Glasgow City Heritage Trust’s building repair grants programme for the benefit of all people living and working in and visiting Glasgow.
The deadline for application submission is 25 October 2019 at 12:00 noon.

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – 2 posts
Thanks to generous funding support from Fife Council, Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund we are recruiting now for two new posts. We need skilled and enthusiastic people to join our award winning team:
Inverkeithing CARS/TH Training & Development Officer
£28,000 – full time, fixed term to 31 March 2024
A new post to lead the delivery of a wide-ranging activity plan for Inverkeithing Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) and Townscape Heritage (TH).
Project Development Officer
£30,000 – full time, fixed term to 31 March 2022
A new post for an experienced conservation professional to develop the future pipeline of FHBT projects and bring new thinking to continually improve our approach to project management.
Deadline for both applications – midnight on Monday 28 October 2019.

BACK

BEFS News

The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill passed its final stage in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, committing Scotland to becoming a net-zero society by 2045. Final amendments also adopted an ambitious new target to reduce emissions by 75% by 2030. While there is no published road map to reach this target, there will be implications for the role the built environment plays in reaching it. While new build will no doubt be required to reach higher standards it is the maintenance of existing stock that offers much to prevent the need for new construction and get us out of the cycle of build-decay-demolish-rebuild. Scott Abercrombie of John Gilbert Architects blogs in response to our Tenements Today, Tenements Tomorrow Conference on the need to make that strong connection between building maintenance and climate change, and the need for action now.

Climate change is already having an impact on the historic environment and as part of the Our Place in Time (OPIT) Climate Change Working Group, BEFS is delighted that the Climate Change Impacts Guide will be launched as part of Climate Week 2019 on October 8th. The guide is intended to provide information of the key hazards and impacts of climate change on the historic environment and open up conversations about climate change adaptation solutions that might help protect individual historic assets. Book here to attend the Glasgow launch.

The Future Planning – Designing Places in a Climate Emergency Conference is also taking place in Glasgow on 8th October. This is a unique and forward-thinking event that is bringing together the key professions involved in shaping the built environment. Through presentations, panel-led discussion and workshops, the conference will examine the following questions: 1) What does future-proofing mean, and what is the need for it? 2) What is the role of masterplanning in planning and designing future-proofed places? 3) How do we practically deliver on this? 4) How do we work together to better protect, adapt, evaluate and maintain what we deliver? This is an opportunity to help professions prepare for the COP26 climate conference (to be held in Glasgow in 2020). The Conference is a key event in ensuring that resilience, liveability, and sustainability become the essential building blocks of our towns and cities. Find out more and book your place.

Consultations

The role of Public Sector Bodies in tackling climate change
Opened 11 Sep 2019 and closes 4 Dec 2019.

Consultation on The Principles of a Local Discretionary Transient Visitor Levy or Tourist Tax
Opened 9 Sep 2019 and closes 2 Dec 2019.

Transforming Service Delivery at Falkirk Council
Reviewing how we can deliver services differently in order to make better use of our public buildings.
Opened 16 Sep 2019 and closes 31 Oct 2019.

The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020: accompanying statement and proposed regulations
Opened 10 Sep 2019 and closes 10 Dec 2019.

Practical Fire Safety Guidance for existing Specialised Housing and other supported domestic accommodation
Closes 22 Oct 2019.

A Consultation on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy
Closes 23 Oct 2019.

Crown Estate Scotland draft 2020-23 Corporate Plan Consultation
Closes 25 Nov 2019.

Publications

Historic Environment Scotland Annual Report 2018-19 (HES 25/09/19)

Young People and their Local Urban Areas (SLC 24/09/19)

Land and Communities: Beyond the Echo Chambers (SLC 24/09/19)

Climate Ready Scotland: climate change adaptation programme 2019-2024 (SG 23/09/19)

Inspiring Creativity, Heritage & The Creative Industries (THA 17/09/19)

Local Housing Strategy: guidance 2019 (SG 15/09/19)

Scottish Secure and Short Scottish Secure Tenancies: guidance for social landlords (SG 12/09/19)

Land Focus: Common Good Land Briefing (SLC 12/09/19)

Delivering Greater Benefit from Common Good Land and Buildings (SLC 11/09/19)

Scottish household survey 2018: key findings (SG 10/09/19)

Scottish household survey 2018: annual report (SG 10/09/19)

The Value of Residential Development (HfS 09/19)

State of the Nation 2019: Connecting Infrastructure with Housing (ICE 09/19)

Archaeology in Development Management – Its Contribution in England, Scotland & Wales (ALGAO 06/09/19)

Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES): phase 1 pilots – social evaluation (SG 06/09/19)

Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES): phase 1 pilots – technical evaluation (SG 06/09/19)

Regeneration Capital Grant Fund 2020-2021: stage two application form (SG 06/09/19)

Resistance to moisture in buildings – Research & Analysis (MHCLG 06/19)

Scottish Government News Releases

Supply of new housing increases (SG 24/09/19)
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has welcomed a 15% increase in Scotland’s supply of new housing but has warned that a ‘no deal’ Brexit could have a damaging effect on future growth.

Climate change adaptation (SG 23/09/19)
The Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme 2019-24 will help us identify the actions Scotland needs to take to adapt to a changing climate.

Better support for Gypsy/Travellers (SG 15/09/19)
The needs of Gypsy/Travellers will be better addressed under strengthened guidance for local authorities.

Empowering local communities (SG 09/09/19)
Members of the public, businesses and the tourism sector are being asked for their views on the design of a levy which would let local authorities, who deem it appropriate for their local circumstances, charge visitors a fee for staying overnight in their area.

School Estates Statistics (SG 09/09/19)
The proportion of schools reported as being in good or satisfactory condition has increased to 88.3% (86.6% in 2018). This is substantially higher than in April 2007 (61.1%).

Supporting Scotland’s tourism industry (SG 07/09/19)
Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop has outlined a multi-million-pound package of measures to help support Scotland’s world-class tourism industry.

Making homes more energy efficient (SG 07/09/19)
Funding of £450,000 to support local authorities decarbonise heat and improve energy efficiency has been made available by the Scottish Government.

News Releases

2019 SURF Awards Shortlist Announced (SURF 20/09/19)
SURF is pleased to announce the 2019 shortlist for our prestigious national awards scheme, which showcases success in responding to regeneration challenges in communities across Scotland.

The future of Common Good assets in Scotland (SLC 18/09/19)
Common Good assets in Scotland have the potential to deliver much greater public benefit than they do currently, according to work published by the Scottish Land Commission today Wednesday, 18 September 2019.

Wider value created by building the homes Scotland requires (HfS 18/09/19)
Marking Scottish Housing Day, the wider value of building the homes that Scotland needs is highlighted in a new report published today.

Calls for human rights to be at the heart of housing policy (CIH 18/09/19)
Housing must be a human right, according to a new report published to mark Scottish Housing Day.

Many high streets face a bleak future (Centre for Cities’ 12/09/19)
According to the latest research high street success is defined by those policies that create skills, jobs and quality office space for businesses rather than currently accepted interventions such as cultural initiatives, business rate reforms and online sales taxes.

CIfA comments on ALGAO’s Archaeology in Development Management report (CIfA 11/09/19)
Last week the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO) published a report, Archaeology in Development Management, which presents evidence for the value of commercial and local authority planning archaeology.

Sustainable housing in Scotland: funding released for local strategies (GE 10/09/19)
The funding will go towards supporting pilots of Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES), which aim to test local solutions for reducing emissions from buildings and addressing issues of fuel poverty, in regions which have not yet developed pilot strategies.

National Planning Framework Team (SG 10/09/19)
We are pleased to announce that our National Planning Framework team is set up and early work is commencing on NPF4.

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland launches a free Digital Books platform (SoAoS 09/09/19)
We’ve launched a new online platform to make peer-reviewed academic books about Scottish archaeology and history freely available.

New Report – Archaeology in Development Management (ALGAO 06/09/19)
New research into the benefits of archaeology work undertaken under the control of Local Authorities across Britain has been published by the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers (ALGAO) today.

RTPI Scotland welcomes government’s renewed focus on planning (RTPI 05/09/19)
RTPI Scotland has welcomed a commitment by the Scottish government to fully involve planners in its drive to deliver a zero carbon target by 2045.

Call for Entries (EN 09/19)
Applications for the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2020 are now open.
The deadline is 1 October 2019 (date of sending).

Opinion & Comment

Can Common Good assets deliver greater public benefit? (SLC 18/09/19)

Housing as a human right – celebrating Scottish Housing Day 2019 (Kirsty Wells, Head of HouseMark Scotland 18/09/19)

People can’t afford to live in their own cities – it’s time to tackle housing inequality (Rhiannon Sims Oxfam Scotland 18/09/19)

Join our RetroFirst campaign to make retrofit the default choice (Emily Booth, Architects Journal 12/09/19)

Getting Spatial with Archaeological Data (HES 06/09/19)

Parliamentary Questions

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Question S5W-25163: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 05/09/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to extend the Empty Homes Partnership programme.

Question S5W-25208: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 06/09/2019 R
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken of the potential impact of transient visitor levies on the tourism sector.

Question S5W-25209: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 06/09/2019 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of any research that it has undertaken on the potential impact of a transient visitor levy on the income of local authorities that adopt one.

Question S5W-25207: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 06/09/2019 R
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has undertaken an assessment of which local authorities are expected to introduce a transient visitor levy when they have the power to do so and, if so, which they are.

Question S5W-25253: Dean Lockhart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 10/09/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what regulations are in place to ensure the appropriate maintenance of category (a) B and (b) C listed buildings.

Question S5W-25418: David Stewart, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 19/09/2019
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the commitment in its Programme for Government to “put in place more stringent fire safety provisions for external wall cladding systems”, what plans it has to stop the alternative route of (a) desktop studies and (b) BS 84814, which allows combustible materials onto the outside of buildings, and when it will release further details of its plans.

Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Government in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.

Question S5W-25377: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 16/09/2019
To ask the Scottish Government how much each local authority has been allocated from the Town Centre Fund, also broken by how this has been spent.
Answered by Derek Mackay (19/09/2019)

Question S5W-25164: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 05/09/2019
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to legislate for compulsory sale orders and, if so, when.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/09/2019)

Question S5W-25165: Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Date Lodged: 05/09/2019
To ask the Scottish Government what alternatives to compulsory sale orders it has considered to ensure that local authorities have the power to purchase vacant properties.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (12/09/2019)

Question S5W-25200: Alexander Burnett, Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 05/09/2019 R
To ask the Scottish Government what measures it is taking to improve the energy efficiency of listed buildings.
Answered by Kevin Stewart (17/09/2019)

Events

For the latest information about BEFS Members’ events see our events calendar.

Community Consultation opportunity, Custom House, Leith 
Date & time: 28th September from 10am – 4pm.
Venue: Customs House, Leith.
Following the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) and the City of Edinburgh Council’s announcement in June to appoint Richard Murphy Architects to undertake a Feasibility Study, which will secure the long-term future Custom House, Leith, SHBT are seeking to consult with the local community about their ideas for this important building. Consultations will take place on Saturday 28th September, 10.00-16.00, as part of the Cockburn Association’s Edinburgh Doors Open Day programme. Opportunities for consultation will continue throughout the Feasibility Study process. SHBT looks forwards to welcoming you to Custom House, 65 Commercial Street, Leith to hear your views.

Research Study Day: Ahmedabad Walls: Patrick Geddes in India
Date & time: Wed, 2 October 2019; 09:30 – 16:00.
Venue: Patrick Geddes Centre, Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PD.
To celebrate the shared birthdays (2nd October) of Patrick Geddes and Mahatma Ghandi, this research study day will explore Geddes’ urban schemes of work in India. We are honoured to welcome Mumbai based architect and artist, Robert D Stephens, (Urbs Indis) who will present alongside Dr Dorian Wiszniewski from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Architecture, on their joint project ‘Ahmedabad Walls.’ We are also delighted to welcome archivist Elaine MacGillivray (Centre for Research Collections, University of Edinburgh) to hear about the findings of The Evergreen Project and its links to Geddes’ India based years.

OPIT Climate Change Impacts Guide: Launch Event
Date & time: 11 am on the 8th of October 2019.
Venue: City Chambers in Glasgow.
The Climate Change Impacts Guide is a commitment of the Our Place in Time (OPIT) Climate Change Working Group, and will be launched as part of Climate Week 2019. The Impacts Guide is the product of a collaborative sector approach and will detail climate change impacts on all aspects of the historic environment, the climate hazards they face, their vulnerability, and potential adaptation measures that can be applied. The guide is the first of its kind – it places Scotland’s historic environment at the heart of climate change action and aims to promote cooperation across all sectors of society.

The 2019 Marion Fraser Lecture – The place of Church buildings in our emotions
Date & time: 10th October 2019 at 7.00pm.
Venue: Palmerston Place Church, 10 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 5AA.
The Moderator Rev. Colin Sinclair will give the 2019 Marion Fraser Lecture.
Scotland’s Churches Trust is delighted that The Moderator is giving this year’s Lecture in his own Church. The Trustees of SCT are grateful to Rev Colin Sinclair, a Stirling University economics graduate, for finding the time in his very busy schedule to present this Lecture, named in honour of Lady Marion Fraser, a Trustee of SCT and great supporter before her sad death on Christmas Day 2016. Booking is not required but the Lecture is bound to attract a large audience with doors opening at 6.30pm. Please email office@scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk for further information. 0131 225 8644.

CIfA AGM, Scottish Group AGM, What’s going wrong with desk-based assessments?
Date & time: Tuesday, 15 October, 2019 10:00 – 16:00.
Venue: Edinburgh City Chambers.
CIfA is proud to be holding our Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh this year. Join us for CIfA’s AGM, our Scotland desk-based assessment workshop, and Scottish Group’s AGM. The workshops include a mix of presentations and collaborative discussion. Presentations will be heard from CIfA, local curators, contractors and consultants to encompass a wide range of viewpoints regarding the role and perception of DBAs across the sector. This will be followed by discussion and group work focusing on the current Standards and Guidance. Bookings close on 6 October, ensure you book your place!

50th Anniversary of Ian McHarg’s Design with Nature : A Celebration of Influence & Legacy
Date & time: 22nd of October, 5pm – 10pm.
Venue: Sculpture Court, Edinburgh School of Art.
Ian McHarg’s seminal text ‘Design with Nature’ had a huge impact on landscape architecture, shifting its focus from an aesthetic basis towards a large-scale ecological approach. It also had great influence on the wider associated professions of planning and ecology and led to the development of landscape urbanism. Through this exhibition, the LIS hope to raise awareness of McHarg, his worldwide influence and place within the wider narrative of the Scottish environmental tradition. It will also examine how subsequent students went on to continue to design with nature through current practice and inspire the profession into the twenty-first century.

Climate Heritage Network Global Launch
Date & time: Thu, Oct 24, 2019, 9:00 AM – Fri, Oct 25, 2019, 6:30 PM.
Venue: The Royal College of Physicians, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH21JQ.
The Climate Heritage Network Global Launch is a two-day program devoted to urgently mobilizing the cultural heritage sector for climate action across the globe. The program will serve as a key catalyst for accelerating the ambition of arts, culture and heritage actors to help the communities they work in to deliver on ambitions of the Paris Agreement.

Queen Influencer – Anna of Denmark in Edinburgh 30.10.19
Date & time: Wed, 30 October 2019; 09:30 – 15:00.
Venue: Patrick Geddes Centre, Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PD.
Discover the influence of Queen Anna of Denmark against the backdrop of late 16th century Edinburgh with our specialised panel of experts. This heritage study day seeks to uncover her influence at court and the cultural impact she made in the years before the Union of the Crowns in 1603. We will also consider the backdrop of early modern Edinburgh, the people and places over which Anna ruled, and that formed the beating heart of the Jacobean realm.

HTN: Business Planning and Risk Management
Date & time: Monday 4th November 9.30am – 5pm.
Venue: Spectrum Centre, Inverness.
Join us in Inverness to network with organisations working with heritage all over Scotland and to receive training on two key areas of heritage regeneration. Douglas Westwater of Community Enterprise will deliver the training on Business Planning and Risk Management drawing on his wealth of experience in the area. Analyse what you have done to date, learn how to do it better and whether you should be taking the risk. We will also hear from two local heritage case studies, including Hannah MacSween from The Muir Hub in Muir of Ord and Alison Tanner, Project Officer at Inverness City Heritage Trust, whilst making sure that there is plenty of time for attendees to network, problem solve and share their news. Members and non-members welcome.

Sourcing a Digital Norm for Learning and Training: Tools and Technologies
Date & times: 6-7 November, 9:30-16:00.
Venue: To be held jointly with HES at the Engine Shed, Stirling.
COTAC will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a unique review of the future of heritage conservation by looking at Sourcing a Digital Norm for the Future of Heritage Conservation: Learning and Training, Tools and Technologies. This two-day conference will provide attendees with an opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved digitally, to share in the emerging experiences, perspectives and responses to current challenges whilst at the same time give thought to the direction that is being set for the future. The programme will address what this could mean for the conservation industry sector clients, its practitioners and its education and training providers- all of whom will benefit from attendance.

Heritage Transforming Neighbourhoods
Dates: 17th-19th November.
Venue: The Guildhall, Derry, Londonderry.
VITALITY, VIBRANCY & REVIVAL THROUGH HERITAGE
Join the Heritage Trust Network for our annual conference 2019, this year taking place in Northern Ireland! Our fantastic line up of speakers will focus on how to revive your High Street or Main Street, in both rural and urban areas across the UK, using a sustainable business model. There will be inspiring case studies, key guidance and interactive workshops to help your group succeed.

Training

Incorporating heritage Apprenticeships within your organisation
Date & times: October 14th, 2019 9:30am to 12:00pm.
Venue: Scotch Whisky Experience, The Royal Mile, 354 Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE.
This half day workshop will provide an update on Apprenticeship schemes both in England and Scotland and explore how you can take advantage of these initiatives. Attendees will leave the workshop with a more informed idea of how to incorporate Apprenticeship within their organisation. Audience: Professional Heritage organisations who want to know more Apprenticeship frameworks available in England and Scotland.

Embedding workplace training
Date & time: October 14th, 2019 9:30am to 12:00pm.
Venue: Scotch Whisky Experience, The Royal Mile, 354 Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE.
Application of staff training varies from workplace to workplace and sometimes the cost of providing this training can be considered as hard to justify within tight operational budgets. In more rural areas, physical access to training opportunities can also restrict staff or organisational training. This half day workshop is split into two parts. Part one will hear from practitioners who support the delivery of workplace training and who have handy tips on how to deliver training on all types of budget. Part two will be a round table discussion where attendees can compare individual training strategies, discuss the potential barriers to delivering staff training and offer solutions to bridge those barriers. Attendees will leave the workshop with new ideas on how to embed workplace training on a variety of budgets.

Retrofitting Traditional Buildings: Principles and Practice Masterclass
Date & time: 18 October 2019; 09.30 – 16.30.
Venue: Charlestown Workshops, Fife.
A one-day technical masterclass covering emerging research, best practice and case studies in the field of upgrading traditional and historic buildings.
•    How do we protect our traditional buildings but make them fit for the future?
•    What are the risks for small- and large-scale retrofit projects?
•    How can unintended consequences be addressed when upgrading solid-walled buildings?
•    The Whole Building Approach to retrofit
Addressing energy efficiency is fast becoming one of the most pressing issues for older, traditionally-constructed buildings. Upgrading traditional building fabric is notoriously complex. In this one-day masterclass, expert trainer examines current issues, solutions and emerging best practice in how to achieve ‘responsible retrofit’ – sustainable, low-energy traditional buildings with retained character, minimal risk to buildings and occupants and real benefits for all.

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