Are you a senior policy and public affairs specialist with a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills and a strong interest in heritage and cultural policy?
If so, Historic Houses are keen to hear from you as they recruit a new Director of Policy & Public Affairs.
Historic Houses represents around 1,450 historic houses, castles and gardens in independent ownership across the UK. These places include the country’s most highly visited stately home properties (such as Blenheim, Castle Howard and Longleat) alongside hundreds of lesser known but still highly valued and appreciated historic house properties.
The Director of Policy & Public Affairs is a key member of the London-based team, and part of the Senior Leadership Team. The role is responsible for developing and implementing Historic Houses’ public affairs strategy, seeking to influence the development of public policy in the interests of the houses and gardens that they represent. The Director will therefore maintain good relations with stakeholders, in governments across the UK and in the sectors in which they operate. The postholder will develop and implement public affairs campaigns, commission research projects as necessary, and advise member houses on policy, public affairs and education-related matters.
For more information, click here.
Salary: £65,000 per annum
Status: Full Time
Location: London
Closing Date: Monday 19 January 2026
BACK
BEFS are seeking a Net Zero Lead.
How can the sector deliver Net Zero, both for itself but also for Scotland?
This role is a response to the challenges and opportunities ahead; we see a role for BEFS, positioned as the strategic intermediary for Scotland’s existing built and historic environment, to de-mystify what delivering Net Zero means in practice, supporting the existing work of the sector (and beyond!), building capacity whilst avoiding duplication of effort, and driving a much needed coordinated and holistic approach to Net Zero and the Climate Emergency.
To do this, we have created a new role within BEFS Team, to support the sector and increase BEFS ability to integrate our approach to Net Zero into all BEFS strategic and advocacy activity.
BEFS is a key delivery partner for Our Past Our Future (OPOF), working towards a Route Map to Net Zero.
The role
This role within BEFS Team involves leading on BEFS co-ordinated and strategic approach to delivering Net Zero through its own work, and – crucially – connecting existing sector work and research; building Member and sector capacity and coordinating a robust, collaborative and data driven approach, ensuring that the historic environment is recognised as a valuable asset and key player in Scotland’s journey to Net Zero, and in tackling the Climate Emergency.
We envisage that this role will evolve and respond to a changing political climate as needed, engaging with the legislative process and working towards ensuring that the sector is equipped to respond to the Climate Emergency in the long term.
Salary: £38,000 FTE
Hours: 30hrs per week (4 days)
Term: Permanent (subject to organisational funding)
Reporting to: BEFS Director
Key responsibilities
- Work with BEFS Team to map and coordinate all existing Net Zero work, across all business BEFS areas
- Undertake sector (and beyond) mapping of Net Zero activity
- Advocate for Net Zero solutions presented by the existing and historic built environment, through sector coordination, cross sector, and portfolio working
- Align with and support OPOF delivery priorities, working closely with BEFS Director and Team on developing a Route Map to Net Zero
- Connect and amplify existing research and data, identifying skills, research and data gaps
- Drive and coordinate the use of existing data and research as well as commissioning new where required; working collaboratively to present a coherent evidence base
- Undertake and enable research and strategy including looking at international good practice
- Stakeholder working and relationship building; enable innovative and collaborative approaches
- Undertake regular horizon-scanning through contact with Government and key stakeholders; support BEFS work to convey the current context, challenges and opportunities across sector back to Scottish Government
- Project development and fundraising: identify, develop and shape projects (from initial idea to project brief) which will inform/evidence advocacy and delivery activity
- Participate actively as part of a small and busy team, supporting and working with colleagues across all of BEFS work
The Net Zero Lead will work with BEFS Team on the strategic objectives identified in BEFS Manifesto 2026, supporting positive action towards the key policy asks relating to Net Zero.
Manifesto policy asks of Government:
- Additional investments in historic and built environment data collection and research programmes
- Investigate the international experience with Material Passport schemes and consider adopting a suitable model in Scotland
- Holistic approach to existing and new climate emergency legislation; ensuring wider policy alignment, and consistent cross-party support beyond parliamentary cycles.
- Establish a Ministerial Oversight Group on Retrofit, to devise and deliver a Retrofit Delivery Plan
- Invest in preventative spend across built environment specialisms to meet Net Zero, place-making, and heritage targets, and to reverse the decline of essential skills
- Recognise the cross-cutting benefits of investing both in skills provision and training but also the culture shift required towards greater recognition of these skills as desirable careers
- Commit to investment in and enabling pathways to bring vacant and derelict land and buildings back into use at scale
This will involve working closely and collaboratively with existing and new stakeholders and partners, shaping baseline recommendations and Route Map to Net Zero for the sector. The role is also intended to deepen BEFS ability to provide meaningful and active support to the delivery of HES’ Climate Action Plan, Green Recovery Statement, The Skills Investment Plan and the Archaeology Strategy.
Key relationships
BEFS Director – working with BEFS Director to ensure that BEFS Net Zero work is fully integrated and supported across all areas of BEFS work.
BEFS Head of Policy and Strategy – working with BEFS Head of Policy and Strategy to maximise the impact of BEFS strategic approach to policy and public affairs in relation to Net Zero delivery and advocacy.
BEFS Head of Operations – working with BEFS Head of Operations where required, to establish effective, efficient procedures, streamlining work and fulfilling reporting obligations.
BEFS Policy and Communications Officer – working closely with BEFS Policy and Communications Officer across policy areas, including research and drafting consultation responses.
BEFS Communications Lead – working with BEFS Communications Lead to shape strategic content, messaging, and audience development.
Other: 40+ BEFS Member and Associate representatives, BEFS Board members, BEFS Working Groups (Places of Worship Forum, Conservation Officers Group, Tenement Maintenance Working Group), civil servants within Scottish Government, Minsters and MSPs, Historic Environment Scotland, Our Past Our Future delivery team, professional bodies, and the wider historic and built environment sector.
BEFS is an equal opportunities employer. Please see our Fair Work and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statements on BEFS website for more information.
Person specification
If invited to interview, you will be asked to demonstrate how your experience meets the requirements of the post. We will look for evidence of past experience, and your approach to the key responsibilities outlined above.
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate breadth of sector knowledge and the wider policy landscape relating to Net Zero and the historic and existing built environment
- Demonstrable technical knowledge relating to the Climate Emergency and Net Zero in relation to the historic and existing built environment
- Strong analytical skills, with an ability to distil information and stakeholder opinions, across a broad range of topics/disciplines in the built environment sphere
- Knowledge and experience of the historic and wider built environment sector, including key stakeholders and lead organisations
- Experience of working in a public facing role and the ability to connect with stakeholders and build consensus, seeking opportunities for collaboration and joined up working
- Experience of project management and delivery
- The ability to think and work strategically
- Highly self-motivated, able to work flexibly, balancing priorities as necessary
- High attention to detail, with strong written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation experience
- Advanced use of IT packages including Office 365 and Adobe etc.
Desirable
- Degree or post-graduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in built environment-related discipline (e.g. planning, conservation, surveying, archaeology, architecture) or public affairs.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement/facilitation skills.
- Confidence with online/remote working technologies and programmes such as Teams, Zoom. Knowledge/familiarity of other programmes such as Miro, Eventbrite, SurveyMonkey, WordPress and MailChimp are also an advantage.
BEFS expects all applicants to support the values, ethos and objectives of BEFS, demonstrating credibility and integrity, and proactively committed to championing equality, diversity and inclusion.
Pension
Company Pension Scheme. Alternatively, contributions can be made to a properly constituted pension scheme of your choice
Annual Leave
The full-time annual leave is 35 days pro rata, and includes public holidays (core to be taken: 2 Christmas, 2 New Year, and 1 at Easter)
Location
The job is home-working based – the team all currently live in or within a relatively easy commute to Edinburgh and Glasgow – with monthly in person team meetings and occasional travel to both internal and external meetings. BEFS meetings and events have previously taken place most frequently in Edinburgh (occasionally Glasgow, Perth, Stirling, Inverness).
To apply
Please complete the BEFS Job Application Form 2026 Net Zero Lead (in a Word document, CVs will not be accepted) and our Equality and Diversity Form and email to: info@befs.org.uk
[The subject of the email should read: Confidential – Job Application]
Closing date for applications: Saturday 31 January 2026
Interview date: Early February 2026. Dates tbc
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Hazel Johnson, BEFS, hjohnson@befs.org.uk
BACK
War Memorials Trust works to protect and conserve the nation’s 100,000 war memorials. They are seeking new Trustees, with the right skills, experience, enthusiasm and commitment, to join the Board and help guide the charity’s efforts.
The charity provides advice and expertise to help anyone who looks after a war memorial to manage, repair and conserve it for the benefit of those who live locally, those who are commemorated and their families and the wider population. Sadly, names are added on a regular basis, hence many are living memorials as well as commemorating those from conflicts past. They also encourage public engagement especially through their website War Memorials Online to which anyone can add information and upload photographs. So, if the Trustee role isn’t for you, you may still be able to contribute by signing up to War Memorials Online.
A skills audit has identified key areas of expertise that the Board needs to enhance as
- fundraising expertise to ensure they are here for the long term
- legal expertise to support the charity deliver its objectives appropriately
If you have a sympathy with their vision and have skills which match those being sought, they would love to hear from you. Whilst they can consider wider enquiries, the above listed elements are the current priorities.
This role is home based with board meetings rotating between in-person at the London office and online, although all can be joined online. Some attendance at events or visits to war memorials may be undertaken. Reasonable expenses related to the role will be available. Minimum engagement is for four, two-hour board meetings per year (plus reading of papers beforehand). Additional input will be welcomed and Trustees may be approached by staff, on a collective or an individual basis, between meetings, particularly in relation to their expertise.
For full details of the role and how to apply, please go to the War Memorials Trust’s website.
BACK
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. They are offering:
Training opportunities: They consider training and support for trustees and volunteers to be really important. Some of the training undertaken in the past includes charity governance, fundraising, social media, book-keeping and public speaking.
Learning opportunities: You will develop an understanding of some fundamental topics such as how the land use planning system in Scotland works, legal issues around Aarhus and European law.
Experience in campaigning and advocacy: Their campaign work involves holding meetings, promoting their manifesto, direct political lobbying, and responding to consultations. Advocacy work includes media campaigns, public speaking, commissioning and publishing research.
Opportunity to travel in Scotland and meet new people: For example each year they hold a great event which allows people to network and meet like-minded people.
Being part of a committed group of people: They are passionate about democracy and the environment. (And also have some fun social events each year!)
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.
BACK
Susan has had a long career in the law and public sector focussed on property interests.
She was a practising solicitor for over 20 years specialising in both residential and commercial property, including 12 years as Assistant Scottish Solicitor for Nationwide Building Society.
A career change to the civil service provided opportunities for her to use her legal background to drive improvements in government delivery services. Initially based at Registers of Scotland as a Legal Director and part of the Senior Management team, she developed a further specialism in the field of information law and built extensive external connections including acting as General Secretary of the European Land Registry Association.
At the Scottish Government she set up the support services as part of the project creating Revenue Scotland and thereafter was part of the Senior Leadership Team as Head of Commercial Services and Finance for the first two years of its operation. Her final position was as Head of Legal at Crown Estate Scotland, where she initiated the development of a new inhouse legal service.
Outside paid employment she has served as a Community Councillor for over 8 years and is a supporter of the Cockburn Association. She also volunteers with the National Trust for Scotland and the Water of Leith Conservation Trust.
BACK
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
BEFS News
New beginnings: At the end of July Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) formally announced the appointment of Terry Levinthal as the new Director of Edinburgh World Heritage. Terry brings over 25 years’ experience in leadership roles in public and charity organisations, most recently as Director of the Cockburn Association. BEFS extends warmest congratulations to Terry and the team at EWH for this exciting new chapter.
The talk of the sector over the past weeks has been the the future of the Peter Womersley designed Bernat Klein studio. For those of you that missed the news, a consortium of BEFS Members Scottish Historic Buildings Trust alongside The Bernat Klein Foundation, with support from the National Trust for Scotland, successfully purchased the modernist masterpiece at auction. It is intended that The Studio will return to its original use as a design studio, as well as providing a permanent base in the Borders for the Bernat Klein Foundation.
At the start of the month BEFS Director attended an address by First Minister John Swinney, on the Value of Culture, at the Edinburgh International Festival Hub. The First Minister noted the importance of culture to people and wellbeing, and the cross-cutting benefits of investment. The ongoing commitment to increased funding, and the recognition that greater certainty and stability will be essential for cultural organisations to plan ambitiously, is welcome – and BEFS looks forward to continuing to work with the sector and Ministers to emphasise the role of cultural heritage as part of this.
More on culture – Inspiring Scotland has announced the Creative Communities Scotland programme, funded by the Scottish Government’s Culture Directorate. The fund aims to support and empower communities to develop cultural activities that benefit individual and collective wellbeing through grants to grassroots, community-led organisations. The fund runs from January to December 2026, with grants of up to £35,000 available.
Just a reminder that the BEFS Bulletin will return to its regular bi-monthly schedule from Wednesday 3 September onwards, and we look forward to a busy autumn for the sector.
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding Planning, Landlords, Crofting, and Renewables.
Consultations
Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
The Finance and Public Administration Committee is seeking views on the Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill. The Bill introduces a new tax, called the Scottish Building Safety Levy, to be charged on the construction of residential property development in Scotland. The main aim of the bill is to seek a contribution from the housebuilding sector to support the Scottish Government’s cladding remediation programme. Views are welcomed from individuals and organisations in the housebuilding sector, other industry experts, tax experts, academics and think-tanks, public bodies and any other stakeholders including the public with an interest in the subject.
Closes 15 August 2025
Scottish Aggregates Tax: proposed approaches to cross-border taxation
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on how to approach cross-border taxation for Scottish Aggregates Tax (SAT), which is intended to replace UK Aggregates Levy from 1 April 2026. The consultation focuses on two specific cross-border scenarios: a collection scenario where a customer in Scotland collects aggregate from a quarry in the rest of the UK for use in Scotland, and a middleman scenario where a rest of UK quarry supplies to a rest of UK middleman who then supplies the aggregate to a Scottish customer. The aim is to develop a pragmatic approach that minimises administrative burdens on taxpayers, ensures taxpayers are not subject to tax on the same taxable activity in both jurisdictions, minimises market distortions, and prevents opportunities for tax avoidance.
Closes 18 August 2025
Draft Updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is consulting on the draft updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP-OWE). The plan sets out an integrated framework for sustainable offshore wind development in Scottish waters, informed by the latest scientific evidence. It identifies opportunities and constraints while balancing the needs of communities, nature and other sea users. The consultation includes supporting assessments covering environmental, socio-economic, habitats regulation, nature conservation, sustainability and business regulatory impact. A series of engagement events are being held across Scotland and online to gather stakeholder input on this complex landscape of choices and trade-offs.
Closes 22 August 2025
Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
The Social Justice and Social Security Committee is seeking views on the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill, introduced by Sarah Boyack MSP on 27 March 2025. The Bill creates a new public duty requiring all public bodies to have due regard for the need to promote wellbeing and sustainable development in the exercise of their functions and establishes a Future Generations Commissioner for Scotland. The committee welcomes responses from public sector organisations, third sector organisations, professionals, academics, children and young people, and members of the public to help inform their scrutiny of the Bill and selection of witnesses for oral evidence sessions.
Closes 24 August 2025
Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill: Financial Memorandum
Scottish Parliament
The Finance and Public Administration Committee invites written evidence on the estimated financial implications of the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill as set out in its accompanying Financial Memorandum. The Bill sets out that public bodies must take account of the need to promote wellbeing and sustainable development in their work and would establish a Future Generations Commissioner.
Closes 25 August 2025
Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment (HEETSA) – Scoping Consultation
Scottish Government
The purpose of this Scoping Consultation is to set out the Scottish Government’s initial proposals for the scope of a Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment (HEETSA) and seek stakeholder views on the overall concept of HEETSA and how it relates to other parts of the heat and energy efficiency retrofit landscape. Read the consultation paper.
Closes 29 August 2025
Private Rented Sector (PRS) Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES)
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on the Scottish Government’s proposals to introduce Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulations in the domestic Private Rented Sector (PRS) using existing powers within in the Energy Act 2011. These regulations would mean all privately rented properties, as far as possible, reaching EPC Heat Retention Rating (HRR) band C from 2028 for new tenancies and by 2033 for all privately rented homes. Your views are welcomed, regarding the practical implications, as proposals are finalised to help ensure these regulations to work as effectively as possible. Read the consultation paper.
Closes 29 August 2025
Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill: Financial Memorandum
Scottish Parliament
The Finance and Public Administration Committee invites written evidence on the estimated financial implications of the Crofting and Scottish Land Court Bill as set out in its accompanying Financial Memorandum. The Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands on 2 June 2025.
Closes 5 September 2025
Ecocide (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee is seeking views on the Ecocide (Scotland) Bill, a Member’s Bill introduced by Monica Lennon MSP on 29 May 2025. The Bill defines ecocide as causing severe environmental harm in such a way that is either reckless or intentional and will allow for people and organisations to be convicted of ecocide. Any individual convicted of ecocide could be jailed for up to twenty years and fined, whilst organisations convicted of ecocide are liable to receive a fine.
Closes 9 September 2025
Draft Climate Change Plan Scrutiny 2025
Scottish Parliament
The draft Climate Change Plan (CCP) is a strategy document which outlines how the Scottish Government intends to meet emissions reduction targets across all portfolio areas and sectors of the economy. This will be the first time the Scottish Parliament has considered a statutory CCP in draft form since the passing of the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act of 2019 and the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) Act 2024. To support the Parliament’s scrutiny, the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee is undertaking a Call for Views in advance of the draft CCP being published. It asks questions about what policies people think should be in the draft CCP across different sectors, and what else needs to be included to deliver a just transition to net zero by 2045.
Closes 19 September 2025
Draft Environment Strategy
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on the Draft Environment Strategy, which sets out a holistic framework for delivering Scotland’s role in tackling the global crises of nature loss, climate change and pollution. The draft Strategy comprises actions aimed at supporting green jobs and industries, tackling poverty and promoting social justice, including by transitioning to a circular economy, increasing renewable energy generation and implementing industrial decarbonisation, and supporting nature restoration projects. A Strategic Environmental Assessment of the draft strategy has also been published.
Closes 29 September 2025
Planning Obligations and Good Neighbour Agreements
Scottish Government
Draft guidance for comments on how planning obligations can be used to make developments acceptable, including advice on development planning and addressing cumulative impacts. The attached draft guidance, when finalised, will replace Planning Circular 3/2012. The guidance needs to be updated to reflect the new development planning system and developments in law and practice since the publication of that Circular, and to address issues that have arisen in that time. Please send any comments to Planning.Obligations@gov.scot no later than 30 September 2025.
Closes 30 September 2025
Building Standards: Flooding and groundwater guidance
Scottish Government
Consultation to consider updates to the guidance within Section 3.3 Flooding and groundwater of the Technical Handbooks with a particular focus on property flood resilience for new buildings and new building work that is being undertaken in areas identified as being at risk of flooding. The intent of the proposed updates is to provide more guidance and information to enable designers to achieve compliance with Mandatory Standard 3.3 and to support building standards verifiers in their assessment of projects against the requirements of the standard.
Closes 3 October 2025
Community Right to Buy: Review
Scottish Government
The Community Right to Buy, introduced in Scotland in 2003, has empowered rural, urban, and crofting communities to acquire land and assets. The Scottish Government is consulting as part of a review aimed at simplifying the process and exploring improvements. The consultation document examines options for improvement across various stages of the community right to buy processes. An easy read version and Gaelic version of the consultation paper have also been published.
Closes 5 October 2025
Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy
Scottish Government
Consultation on the proposed approach to the next Land Use Strategy (LUS). The proposals are outlined in the Scottish Government consultation paper which sets out the strategic direction and vision for sustainable land use in Scotland, and the objectives, policies and actions that will help deliver it. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires Scottish Ministers, by law, to produce a Land Use Strategy every five years.
*NEW* Closes 5 October 2025
Supporting Scotland’s Transition – Land use and Agriculture
Scottish Government
Between now and 2045 Scotland is aiming to transition to a Net Zero economy. Just transition is how to get to this net zero and climate resilient economy in a way that delivers fairness and tackles inequality and injustice. This consultation considers the role land use and agriculture plays in achieving that ambition. The Land use and Agriculture Just Transition Plan will describe what the Scottish Government will do to support people to take the first steps of that journey and start to deliver the outcomes of a Just Transition.
*NEW* Closes 5 October 2025
ScotLand Futures
Scottish Land Commission
ScotLand Futures is a national initiative led by the Scottish Land Commission exploring what a fully reformed approach to land in Scotland could look like and how to make it happen. The initiative aims to think big, tackle challenges, provide certainty for the future, and find practical solutions to ensure land benefits everyone. The Scottish Land Commission wants to hear from people across Scotland, whether they live in a city, town, village or rural area, about what land reform means to them and what changes they want to see.
No closing date specified
Petitions
PE2179: Strengthen veto powers when assessing Business Improvement District proposals (Scot Parl 11/08/2025)
Petition calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to require local authorities to veto proposals for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) if the levy due to be paid by businesses is not proportional with the rateable value of properties; and introduce a duty on Scottish Ministers to take such levy proportionality into account in any decisions regarding BID proposals.
News Releases
Public Backs Historic Churches: Research Reveals Significant ‘Heritage Premium’ (Historic England 09/07/2025)
MGS launches new Intangible Cultural Heritage project (Museums Galleries Scotland 16/07/2025)
Applications are open for the 2026 SPAB Fellowship (SPAB 18/07/2025)
Doors Open Days – September Weekend Schedule (Doors Open Days August 2025)
Edinburgh World Heritage appoints Terry Levinthal as new Director (EWH 21/07/2025)
The Archaeology Forum (TAF) publishes new promotional leaflet (CIfA 24/07/2025)
SPAB ‘Old House Project’ completes, and now for sale ‘to become a home’ (SPAB 25/07/2025)
Glasgow City Region backed by £30 million from UK Government to unlock local innovation and grow the economy (Glasgow City Region 29/07/2025)
Coalition secures Peter Womersley’s Bernat Klein Studio for the nation (Scottish Historic Buildings Trust 30/07/2025)
The Improvement Service turns 20 – the journey and impact (Improvement Service 30/07/2025)
First South of Scotland Heat Networks Prospectus launched (South of Scotland Enterprise 30/07/2025)
European Heritage Hub Educational Study Kit: A Practical Toolkit for Tomorrow’s Heritage Leaders (European Heritage Hub 30/07/2025)
Whole life carbon assessment (WLCA) software validation programme (RICS 31/07/2025)
2025 SURF Awards Applications invited (SURF 06/08/2025)
European Heritage Awards Applications invited (Europa Nostra 12/08/2025)
Creative Communities Scotland programme (Inspiring Scotland 12/08/2025)
Publications
Heritage Sector Resilience Plan 2025-35 (Historic Environment Forum June 2025)
Fire Safety Management in Traditional Buildings for Dutyholders (The Engine Shed 30/06/2025)
Moisture properties of insulation materials and their applicability to traditional construction (Sustainable Traditional Buildings Alliance July 2025)
Radical Retrofit: adapting cities for a resilient future (Economist Impact July 2025)
Good Practices Handbook on Identification, Participatory Management, Digital Storytelling, and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage (Europe Heritage Hub 01/07/2025)
The Green Belt Issue (Land Use Consultants 18/07/2025)
Planning Aid Scotland Strategy for 2025-2028 (PAS 21/07/2025)
Smarter Transformation Magazine – Retrofit Edition (BE-ST 31/07/2025)
No country for cold homes: Key considerations for the Warm Homes Plan (Resolution Foundation 07/08/2025)
Scottish & UK: Governmental & Parliamentary Publications
Correspondence between Ariane Burgess and Local Authorities and National Park Authorities regarding local place plans and local development plans (Scot Parl 01/07/2025)
Correspondence between Màiri McAllan and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding housing emergency response and Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 01/07/2025)
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform: government response (Scot Gov 11/07/2025)
Land and Buildings Transaction Tax – property investment funds: consultation (Scot Gov 11/07/2025)
Planning and Environmental Appeals Stakeholder Forum minutes: November 2024 (Scot Gov 11/07/2025)
Correspondence between Mairi Gougeon and the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee regarding National Parks (Scot Parl 14/07/2025)
Building and Fire Safety Expert Working Group minutes: June 2025 (Scot Gov 14/07/2025)
Protecting built heritage – Oral Evidence Session (UK Parl 15/07/2025)
Construction: Materials written answer (UK Parl 16/07/2025)
Deadline set for unsafe cladding removal (UK Gov 17/07/2025)
Scottish Housing Market Review: Q2 2025 (Scot Gov 17/07/2025)
SPICe Briefing: Housing (Scotland) Bill: Consideration prior to Stage 3 (SPICe 18/07/2025)
Scotland’s Wellbeing Economy (Scot Gov 18/07/2025)
Scotland’s wellbeing economy monitor: July 2025 (Scot Gov 18/07/2025)
Cultural Heritage: Industry written question (UK Parl 21/07/2025)
SPICe Briefing: Links between Climate Change and Health in Scotland (SPICe 22/07/2025)
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government annual report and accounts 2024 to 2025 (UK Gov 22/07/2025)
Asset transfer requests: index of notifications (Scot Gov 23/07/2025)
Correspondence between the Culture, Media & Sport Committee and Minister Baroness Twycross regarding Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (UK Parl 24/07/2025)
Correspondence between Gillian Martin and the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee regarding Climate Change Plan timings (Scot Parl 24/07/2025)
Housing (Scotland) Bill — Stage 3 amendments (Scot Parl 25/07/2025)
Towns Fund evaluation: Emerging findings from the process and intervention-level impact evaluations (UK Gov 25/07/2025)
Scotland’s Cladding Remediation Programme update: Q2 2025 (Scot Gov 29/07/2025)
Correspondence between Graeme Dey and the Education, Children and Young People Committee regarding RAAC in the college and university estate (Scot Parl 29/07/2025)
The Building Standards Compliance Plan Approach – Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 Recommendations (Scot Gov 30/07/2025)
Building Safety Levy Expert Advisory Group minutes: March 2025 (Scot Gov 31/07/2025)
Membership of Fundamental Review of Building Regulations Guidance (UK Gov 31/07/2025)
Scotland as a cultural leader – First Minister’s speech (Scot Gov 31/07/2025)
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme Funding Tracker (UK Gov 01/08/2025)
Place Directors: factsheet (Scot Gov 01/08/2025)
Development plan examinations: list (Scot Gov 06/08/2025)
37 local heritage sites to benefit from £15 million boost to breathe new life into communities across England (UK Gov 07/08/2025)
Correspondence between Màiri McAllan and the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding the Cladding Remediation Programme (Scot Parl 07/08/2025)
Cladding Remediation Programme: Next Phase Plan of Action (Scot Gov 07/08/2025)
Waste Reprocessing Infrastructure in Scotland (Scot Gov 08/08/2025)
Part One of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill – as amended at Stage 2 (SPICe 11/08/2025)
Strengthening Scotland’s communities (Scot Gov 12/08/2025)
Motions
Submitted by: Martin Whitfield, South Scotland, Scottish Labour.
Date lodged: 28/07/2025
That the Parliament celebrates the opening of The Ridge community support centre in Dunbar; recognises what it sees as the hard work, over many years, by volunteers and clients to turn the former waste ground into a community garden, as well as the work of the Ridge Foundation’s team of apprentices, and their trainers, to restore the site’s 18th century ruins, in conjunction with Historic Environment Scotland, and the many generous funders that have contributed to The Ridge; notes that the centre includes a drop-in area with consultation pods, a training kitchen, training and function rooms, and an office for Ridge staff; congratulates The Ridge for providing what it sees as high-quality, vital services and opportunities to members of the local community, who have previously struggled to access the help that they need, and wishes all the members of the team at The Ridge good luck in their ongoing and future work.
Opinion & Comment
Glasgow ABC student plans called-in over ‘significant risk’ to art school (Scottish Housing News 17/07/2025)
English Heritage and the National Trust are on the brink — this is why (The Times 18/07/2025)
Blog: 1.5 million new homes requires bolder reforms to planning committees (Centre for Cities 21/07/2025)
More than 100 Labour MPs urge Ed Miliband to explore radical energy bills overhaul (The Guardian 22/07/2025)
Regional skills mapping ‘best way to tackle worker shortage’ (Construction News 22/07/2025)
SNP accused of having ‘no real plan’ to ban boilers as clean heat applications decline (The Scotsman 24/07/2025)
Museums Galleries Scotland critical of Equality and Human Rights Commission proposals and warned “an environment of suspicion and policing of gender” already existed at some heritage sites (STV News 27/07/2025)
Final phase completed of Fountainbridge 20-minute neighbourhood (Deadline News 28/07/2025)
Blog: Ebenezer James MacRae: the man who transformed Edinburgh (HES 29/07/2025)
Glasgow homelessness crisis ‘bursting at the seams’ (The Herald 31/07/2025)
Edinburgh and Glasgow council chiefs to investigate if 2030 net zero aims still possible (The Scotsman 31/07/2025)
Edinburgh council re-checking housing stock for potentially dangerous RAAC concrete (Edinburgh Evening News 04/08/2025)
Charity set to take over Inverness’ oldest church (BBC News 07/08/2025)
Moderator visits ‘landmark’ Cumbernauld church devastated by fire (The Herald 07/08/2025)
Colleges must escape ‘survival mode’ to reach full potential (The Herald 07/08/2025)
Low-income and minority ethnic people in England most at risk from dangerously hot homes (The Guardian 10/08/2025)
Events
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
Scottish Parliament – Festival of Politics
Dates: Wednesday 20-Friday 22 August 2025
Location: Holyrood
In partnership with Scotland’s Futures Forum, the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics returns to Holyrood. The programme features leading experts from the worlds of politics, the arts, business, the media and the third sector. This series of lively debates presents inspiring voices tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time, with 32 individual events taking place over three days. See the website for the full programme
Glasgow City Heritage Trust – Lens on Legacy: A Tour of Glasgow’s Buildings At Risk
Date & Time: Thursday 21 August 2025; 6-7:30pm
Location: Meet at the GCHT Offices, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1LQ
Join GCHT’s Director Niall Murphy for a walk around Glasgow City Centre, looking at some of the city’s most iconic, but at-risk, buildings. During the walk Niall will explore several buildings at-risk, discussing their history and the challenges they face, whilst also considering practical steps and creative solutions to support their repair and reuse, and how to make the city centre a welcoming, sustainable environment for the people of Glasgow. Please dress for all weather conditions!
Scottish Land Commission – What can land reform do for urban Scotland?
Date & Time: Thursday 28 August 2025; 4-5pm
Location: Online
Explore how land reform can tackle housing, climate, and inequality in urban Scotland with insights from an expert panel. The panel includes: Dr Calum MacLeod (Chair), Hanna Wheatley, Dr Carey Doyle and Euan Leitch
RIAS – Croft 3 Book Launch
Date & Time: Thursday 28 August 2025; 6pm (doors) for 6:30pm start
Location: RIAS Bookshop, 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BE
Croft 3 is a restaurant on a working croft on the Isle of Mull. The project won the 2024 RIBA Reinvention award and was a winner at the 2024 Civic Trust awards and the RIAS awards. Edward Farleigh-Dastmalchi will present an overview of Croft 3 before being joined by author Douglas Murphy to discuss the project in more depth. The event coincides with the publication of a new book on Croft 3, which will be available to buy at the event.
CaCHE – Reflections and Developments in Housing Research: What’s Next?
Date & Time: Monday 8 September 2025; 9am-3:30pm
Location: James McCune Smith Learning Hub, University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QW
The International Journal of Housing Policy is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and together with the UK Centre for Collaborative Housing Evidence (CaCHE) is hosting a symposium on Reflections and Developments in Housing Research: What’s Next? The seminar will situate its retrospective insights with an eye of the future direction of research. The occasion aims to be a celebration of the significant contributions of the housing research community and highlight the importance of continued research in shaping housing futures.
EDAS and Historic Environment Scotland – Unlocking the Potential of Scotland’s Heritage: The Economic Value of Heritage
Date & Time: Tuesday 9 September 2025; 10-11:30am
Location: Online
Historic Environment Scotland is developing a long-term strategy for the historic Properties and Collections in their care, that they manage on behalf of the people of Scotland and Scottish Ministers. In partnership with EDAS and Historic Environment Scotland, this special event will explore the economic and place-based benefits that the Strategy could deliver, how it may intersect with local place plans, visitor levies, and evolving management of heritage sites. Join sector leaders, policymakers, and economic development professionals for a dynamic discussion around how to productively use these heritage assets, through sustainable management, across Scotland with communities and partners.
Under One Roof – Scottish Housing Day Webinar: Owners’ Associations
Date & Time: Wednesday 17 September 2025; 12-1pm
Location: Online
Scottish Housing Day 2025 will be celebrating communities and good neighbours. Being part of an owners’ association can be a great way to build good relationships with the neighbours in your tenement building, and can make living in a tenement much more enjoyable. With this in mind, Under One Roof is hosting a short, lunchtime webinar on Scottish Housing Day, all about owners’ associations. Come along to find out what the benefits are of joining an owners’ association, and how to set one up in your tenement building.
Date & Time: Friday 19 September 2025; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: The Salmon Bothy, Portsoy
This is a hugely exciting time for Portsoy and the North East Scotland Preservation Trust (NESPT) as the Trust works to develop its significant long-term pipeline of regeneration projects in and around Portsoy’s A-listed Old Harbour. Come along to hear directly from the NESPT and a variety of wonderful neighbouring projects as they showcase the diverse efforts being made to preserve and revive coastal heritage across north east Scotland. Willie Watt, Director of Nicoll Russell Studios Ltd and the artist behind The Architect’s Sketchbook, will deliver one of five presentations, and also lead a sketching workshop during the lunchbreak, providing the chance to take in Portsoy’s architecture through an artistic lens before touring the harbour buildings later in the afternoon. Members and non-members are welcome.
Under One Roof – Organising Tenement Repairs in Perth and Kinross
Date & Time: Tuesday 23 September 2025; 12-1pm
Location: Online
Join Under One Roof, Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and Perth and Kinross Council for a short, lunchtime webinar on tenement repairs, to hear about the proper procedures for organising repairs, and the difference between individual, mutual and common areas of your building. Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust will be presenting on the support they can offer tenement owners, and the work they do to preserve and enhance historic buildings.
Heritage Network – Conference 2025
Date & Time: Sunday 28 – Tuesday 30 September 2025
Location: Bradford
Bradford City of Culture is the venue for the heritage networking event of the year. The conference is a great opportunity to network with peers, other professionals in the sector, and heritage businesses and funders. The main day of conference is sandwiched between two half-days of tours and visits, which will include must-see buildings and projects, as well as some hidden gems highlighted by the steering group of local stakeholders. Delegates will be asked to select tours and visits closer to the event. Whilst there will be structured networking during the main conference day, there will also be plenty of opportunities for informal networking throughout the 3-day event.
Training
Scottish Lime Centre Trust – Sash and Case Window Repairs
Date & Time: Tuesday 2 September 2025; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Merryhill Training centre, Fife KY12 3DR
Did you know that in most cases you can undertake simple repairs, retain these period features and ensure the value of your traditional building is not compromised? This practical course will prove invaluable if you have a property with Sash and Case Windows. The course will cover a short history of the development of windows before looking at the different components that make up a window and the issues to consider when approaching repairs. The course will allow attendees to identify and address various problems that commonly occur with sash windows. Topics covered will include window dismantling and reassembly, replacing ropes, weights, panes and putty. Various repair and improvement techniques will also be covered.
IHBC – Membership Accreditation Training Event
Date & Time: Tuesday 2 September 2025; 5-7pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Membership Accreditation Training Events (MATEs) advise on IHBC accreditation applications and provide free webinars for IHBC applicants. IHBC MATE SESSIONS provide CPD-certified advice on applying for IHBC accreditation (Full & Associate). Regular monthly sessions open to all (first 30 signed for any session).
Scottish Lime Centre Trust – Making, Using and Specifying Hot Mixed Lime Mortars
Date & Time: Friday 5 September 2025; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Merryhill Training centre, Fife KY12 3DR
Since the lime revival of the mid 1990s, the preparation and use of conservation mortars has been largely dominated by lime putty bound mortars or ‘cold’ mortars based on natural hydraulic limes (NHLs). Whilst all these mortar types have their place, a renewed interest in the production of what are perceived to be more authentic mortar preparations using quicklime and sand has been growing and this workshop aims to take the building professional through the process of specifying ‘hot mixed’ mortars including health and safety implications, constituents, preparation of mortars, correct mixing equipment and critically at which point these mortars should be used for particular applications . By the end of the course, attendees will be able to recognise traditionally made ‘hot mixed’ mortars in historic structures and buildings and be able to develop the skills to specify ‘hot mixed’ mortars in relation to authenticity, performance, exposure, season, substrate and nature of the masonry repairs required.
The Engine Shed – Conserving Scotland’s Stained Glass
Date & Time: Tuesday 9 September 2025; 9:30am-6:30pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
A day focussing on the historic use of decorative glass in Scotland’s traditional architecture, with a special focus on conservation best practice. Discover the variety of glass types, their physical characteristics and their use in Scotland’s traditional buildings. Recognise the key names in Scottish decorative glass production from the mid-19th century to present. Understand typical decay, defects and weathering issues affecting decorative glass and how best to address these issues according to current standards of good conservation practice. Learn about the materials and processes used to protect and preserve important examples of stained and decorative glass.
Heritage Network – Carbon Literacy Training
Date & Time: Tuesday 9 & 16 September 2025;10am-12:30pm
Location: Online
Carbon Literacy is a key way for organisations to gain an awareness of the causes and impacts of climate change and an understanding of carbon emissions. It provides a great foundation for individuals, teams and organisations to begin to take steps towards reducing their carbon emissions and become more environmentally sustainable. As a sector, this training will help to collectively make a difference through taking responsibility and committing to lowering emissions. The focus of Carbon Literacy is about empowering people to take action. To become certified as Carbon Literate you must pledge to undertake an individual and group action that will help you and your organisation to achieve net zero. The £15 (member) and £30 (non-member) charge for this course covers your Carbon Literacy Trust certification fee. If you have any questions, please email Samya Kelly.
The Engine Shed – Reducing Carbon Emissions in Traditional Buildings – Heat Pump Guidance
Date & Time: Tuesday 16 September 2025; 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ/Online
Around 19% of buildings in Scotland are of traditional construction, understanding how buildings of this type can utilise clean heating solutions such as air source heat pumps is critical to meeting Government Targets. This event will launch new information commissioned by HES on the use of air source heat pumps in traditional buildings. Presentations will be given by the authors of this new information around installing air source heat pumps into traditional buildings alongside HES experts looking at the wider net zero context and considerations related to consents and planning. For those unable to attend in person, a virtual option using Microsoft Teams is available. The joining link will be sent the week before the event.
C&BS – Individual Giving Essentials
Date & Time: Tuesday 16 September 2025; 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: Online
Are you interested in developing your individual giving programme? David Nelson provides insight and advice into this increasingly invaluable income stream. This short course will explore the key role individual giving can have within your fundraising strategy and how to create a donor-centric giving programme.
SPAB – Maintaining Scottish Churches – Cromarty East
Date & Time: Tuesday 16 September 2025; 10am-3:30pm
Location: Cromarty East Church, 51 Church Street, Cromarty IV11 8XA
Are you involved in caring for and maintaining a place of worship in Scotland? Caring for a historic building can feel like a never-ending task, but thankfully there are some simple steps you can take to keep your building in good condition and reduce the likelihood of large repair projects further down the line. In this introductory one-day course, you will find out how your historic faith building works and the practical steps you can take to look after it. You’ll be able to put your new knowledge into action right away, with a practical exercise looking at the host building inside and out to identify maintenance issues and areas of vulnerability. There will also be the opportunity to discuss your building with the course tutors and others attending.
C&BS – Introduction to being a Board Member
Date & Time: Wednesday 17 September & Wednesday 24 September 2025; 4-7pm
Location: Online
Do you have new trustees on your Board or have you taken on a trustee role yourself? If so, this is an essential course for launching or refreshing your Board career. C&BS Head of Board Development, Catriona Reynolds, takes new trustees and Board members through their paces in two information-packed, hands-on sessions.
Scottish Lime Centre Trust – Making Natural Paints, Pigments and Limewash Workshop
Date & Time: Friday 19 September 2025; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: Charlestown Workshops, 2 Rocks Road, Charlestown, Fife KY11 3EN
In this workshop you will discover how many ancient / traditional / historical paints were made (and still are) and where to start to make your very own natural paints and mineral pigments at home. A perfect starting point to create your own simple, efficient, sustainable, plastic-free art materials and/or to beginning a journey into making your own interior paints… Or to scratch that itch and understand where these extra pigments we use in construction and conservation actually come from.
C&BS – Introduction to Sponsorship
Date & Time: Thursday 25 September 2025; 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: Azets Edinburgh, Quay 2, 139 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QG
Are you considering corporate fundraising for the first time but not sure where to start? This introductory course, led by Alice Samtoy, covers the fundamentals of sponsorship. Designed to be a first step into corporate fundraising, this live classroom course offers an overview of essential sponsorship knowledge along with practical skills to help you develop successful sponsorships.
RICS – Global Building Conservation Conference 2025
Date & Time: Thursday 25 September 2025; 7:30am-5:15pm
Location: Online
RICS are delighted to announce the return of the RICS Global Building Conservation Conference, an invaluable event for all professionals operating within the built conservation landscape. In 2025, the conference asks: How to best preserve the technical skills needed by heritage professionals. Join the conference for industry-leading insights around: Collaborating with construction; attracting the next generation; uptake for traditional materials; placemaking under pressure and the realities of long costing long-term heritage projects; and harnessing new technologies. This year, global experts bring more examples of cutting-edge practice to life, illustrating the challenges they have faced, the lessons they’ve learned and the remarkable achievements they have made in sustaining and growing their practices. Attendees will leave with enhanced knowledge of case studies, as well as best-practice examples for the cutting-edge educational and professional programmes that are ensuring the transfer of skills from one generation to another.
SPAB – Pargeting
Date & Time: Saturday 27 September 2025; 9am-4:30pm
Location: Heritage & Rural Skills Centre, Buscot and Coleshill Estate, Swindon SN6 7PT
Join SPAB for a unique opportunity to learn the endangered craft of pargeting from one of the country’s highest regarded pargeters, Bill Sargent. This workshop is brought to you in association with the National Trust. This introductory workshop is for anyone interested in learning pargeting skills for work, general interest or leisure. No prior experience is required.
SPAB – Understanding your Old Building
Dates & Times: Monday 6 October until Sunday 30 November 2025: Access to pre-recorded presentations
Saturday 15 November 2025; 12:30-2pm: Live online Q&A session with the course tutors
Location: Online
Join SPAB for an introduction to the care and maintenance of period properties, ideal for homeowners and tenants of old buildings. This modular, self-paced online course features six pre-recorded presentations and a live Q&A session. It introduces the SPAB conservation approach and offers guidance on how best to tackle common problems and maintain the character and value of your home. If you live in or look after a period property, or are a professional who needs to brief their clients on understanding their old building, this course is ideal for you. The SPAB is an IHBC-recognised CPD provider and certificates of attendance are available on request. Prices: £100 early bird rate available when you book this course by 3 September 2025. Usual course fee is £120.
Vacancies
Development Trusts Association Scotland – Churches Programme Officer: Community Ownership Support Service
Salary: £25,058 per annum
Status: full-time at 35 hours per week (excluding meal breaks); will also consider part-time, 28 hours over four days per week. Fixed-term; 18 months to December 2026
Location: Edinburgh or Inverness
Are you interested in the heritage sector and/or the community sector? Are you a good co-ordinator, with excellent communication skills and digitally confident? The Development Trusts Association Scotland is seeking a motivated and well-organised individual to support a new team working with communities across Scotland on the sustainable transfer of former places of worship into community ownership. This role is office-based, working in Edinburgh or Inverness, but with the potential for some home working. Travel throughout the country will also be required. If you would like to be considered, please email kay@dtascot.org.uk with your CV and a covering letter detailing your reasons for applying and specific experience to match the person specification, as well as an indication of your preferred working hour /days. Informal enquiries can be made to Linda Gillespie, Head of Community Ownership: linda@dtascot.org.uk More information can be found in this detailed Job Description. DTA Scotland is committed to a policy of equality & diversity.
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 18 August 2025
We are truly grateful for your continued support and engagement.
Thank you for the trust you have placed in us to deliver relevant and timely information about the built environment sector.
Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to colleagues, friends and family who are part of the sector, so they know where to go for staying informed about built environment sector news, vacancies, insights, policies.
If you would like to receive the bulletin as a bi-monthly email, you can subscribe here.
Your support helps us grow and improve our service to the existing Scottish built environment community. Thank you for being part of our journey!
The Archaeology Forum (TAF) has published a new leaflet, with the purpose of promoting archaeology to audiences unfamiliar with the subject and the wide range of positive effects it can have for people and society.
- informs change
- unleashes creativity
- drives innovation
- sustains growth, and
- improves wellbeing
As the aim of the leaflet is to help everyone promote a better understanding of what archaeology is, does and could do more of outside of the sector, please feel free to download and share widely.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) are developing an online training course for planners about the historic environment.
The scope of the course is to provide in-depth knowledge and practical guidance, empowering planners to make informed decisions about the historic environment. It will cover a range of topics but will have a clear focus on understanding legislation and policy around the historic environment and change management, roles and responsibilities, and how to find/apply key guidance.
HES has commissioned the Diffley Partnership to engage with stakeholders and conduct a training needs analysis (TNA) to inform the development of this course. Your input is essential in helping design relevant and impactful training.
You can get involved in two simple ways:
- Attend a TNA workshop. This will be a collaborative online session (less than 2 hours) where you can share your thoughts on training needs for planning authorities around the historic environment. Please register your interest in attending a workshop by Monday 28 July. A privacy notice and participant information sheet is available to view as linked on the registration form. The workshops are being hosted by the Diffley Partnership who will be in touch later to confirm the dates and times for the workshops that work for most people.
- Complete an online survey. This will ask questions about what you see as the current skills gaps and priorities for learning. The survey is particularly directed towards planners as the learner group but responses from all stakeholders are welcomed. The survey (hosted by HES on Citizen Space) is open until Friday 22 August.
You can also sign up to the mailing list to stay informed. You will receive updates on future opportunities to share your views and help shape the direction of the project. Sign up here.
However you choose to share your views, your contribution will help shape future learning and development efforts. If you have any questions or would prefer to share your thoughts directly, please contact heritagepolicy@hes.scot
BACK
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
BEFS News
Last week BEFS team attended Scotland’s Historic Environment Forum (SHEF) in Edinburgh. The event brought together representatives from across the sector to explore next steps towards delivering Our Past Our Future, Scotland’s strategy for the historic environment. BEFS was pleased to facilitate a workshop session on “Demonstrating our Impact” examining how the historic environment sector can better advocate for its impact on wider society, and champion the sector’s value to Scotland, maximising our contribution to national interests. BEFS Director Hazel Johnson and Gavin MacGregor, Director at Archaeology Scotland, also presented the closing summary with an address that called for collaborative approaches, sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources – towards collective positive action. Thanks to Historic Environment Scotland for hosting this important forum and to all participants for their valuable contributions. Learn more about Our Past Our Future and the Sustainable Investment Tool, a useful resource for demonstrating value.
BEFS Member SURF has launched their 2025 SURF Awards. Delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government, the awards highlight, celebrate and share achievements of initiatives addressing physical, social and economic challenges in communities across Scotland. The five categories are: Community Led Regeneration, Removing Barriers to Employability, Improving Scotland’s Places, Housing and Regeneration, and Creative Regeneration. Applications close at 5pm on Monday 1 September. To find out more about the awards and how to apply visit the SURF website.
The Forth Bridge World Heritage Site to is to update its management plan. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2015 the plan is now ten years old and is being updated in 2025 for the next ten-year period by a multi-partner working group, with membership drawn from Network Rail, Fife Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Historic Environment Scotland, VisitScotland and Transport Scotland. Members of the public are being asked for their input via an online questionnaire. There will be further consultation on the draft management plan when it is ready later this year.
At the start of the month a new Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill was introduced. The Bill creates a new tax to be charged on construction or conversion of residential property developments. Administered by Revenue Scotland the levy will fund building safety expenditure, particularly the Scottish Government’s Cladding Remediation Programme, with Scottish Government committed to ensuring cladding remediation costs ‘do not fall directly onto affected homeowners’.
In case you missed it – Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is seeking views on their long-term strategy for heritage designation. With more than 55,000 sites currently protected across Scotland, this consultation will help shape HES’ vision for designations in 2035 and their mission and priorities for 2025-28. Whether you’re a heritage professional, planning consultant, local authority planner, or simply passionate about Scotland’s built environment, you can submit your response online, attend the Edinburgh event (19 June, 12:30-4pm) or join the online session (23 June, 11am-12:30pm). The consultation closes on 1 July 2025.
And finally, four key vacancies in the sector have been announced. The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture is seeking to appoint four new Chairs, one to each of the boards of National Galleries of Scotland, National Library of Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland and Creative Scotland. Further information can be found here.
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding Housing, Cladding Remediation, Land Reform, and Renewable Energy.
Consultations
Developing an Ecosystem Restoration Code for Scotland
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is seeking views on developing an Ecosystem Restoration Code (ERC) for Scotland as a new high-integrity market mechanism to attract responsible private investment into nature restoration and biodiversity projects. This commitment, outlined in the 2024 Natural Capital Market Framework, is being delivered via a Scottish Government-NatureScot partnership project. An Engagement Paper has been published summarising the results of the Discovery Phase and setting out key issues to be explored during co-development with stakeholders. Responses to the survey will be analysed, alongside evidence from Engagement Phase events, to inform a series of recommendations for developing/writing the ERC during the later stages of this project.
Closes 29 June 2025
Skills Survey for Historic Environment Employers
Historic Environment Scotland
HES is seeking input from employers, sole traders and organisations in the heritage sector about skills needs, gaps, and training provision. The survey aims to monitor the skills health of the sector and inform planning for support programmes. This follow-up to the 2023 survey will help track trends and prioritise actions outlined in the Skills Investment Plan for the Historic Environment (SIP) published in April 2024. HES particularly wants to hear from those working in archaeology, heritage architecture, conservation, museums, traditional building skills, and related fields. Results will influence the direction of the SIP over the next four years.
Closes 30 June 2025
Forth Bridge World Heritage Site Management Plan
Forth Bridge World Heritage Management Group
The Forth Bridge was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2015. The Forth Bridge’s Management Plan is now ten years old and is being updated in 2025 for the next ten-year period. A multi-partner working group has begun the task of updating the management plan with membership drawn from Network Rail, Fife Council, City of Edinburgh Council, Historic Environment Scotland, VisitScotland and Transport Scotland. The process is being overseen by the wider Forth Bridges Forum and Forth Bridge World Heritage Management Group. Members of the public are initially being asked for their input into the content for the new management plan and there will be further consultation on the draft management plan when it is ready later this year.
*NEW* Closes 30 June 2025
ECHOES Consultation
European Cloud for Heritage Open Science
The ECHOES project is building a shared digital space, the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH), designed to support heritage professionals and researchers across Europe. To ensure this platform meets real-world needs, ECHOES has launched a consultation survey to better understand the priorities, challenges, and expectations of the cultural heritage community. The consultation is open to all cultural heritage stakeholders, including professionals, researchers, computer scientists/developers, umbrella organisations and institutions with a vested interest in the development and application of the Cultural Heritage Cloud.
Closes end of June 2025
Scotland’s protected historic places – consultation on a long-term strategy for heritage designation
Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is looking for your views on their strategy for how to identify and legally protect Scotland’s most important historic sites and places. Heritage designation is the system used to provide legal recognition and protection for historic sites across Scotland. More than 55,000 sites are currently protected in this way. The strategy sets out a long-term approach to delivering national-level heritage designations. HES is setting out their vision for designations in 2035, their mission, and priorities for the three-year period 2025-28. Download the strategy consultation paper.
Closes 1 July 2025
Clean Heat Market Mechanism: revisions ahead of Scheme Year 2 (2026/2027)
UK Government
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has launched a consultation on the heat pump credit target for Year 2 of the Clean Heat Market Mechanism. It also explores views on proposals to name the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) the sole certification scheme for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism. The consultation seeks views on setting a Year 2 heat pump target level within the proposed range of 8-10% of relevant boiler sales.
Closes 2 July 2025
Housing (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on how powers within the Housing (Scotland) Bill could be used to exempt certain types of properties from rent control. It also looks into circumstances where rents could be increased above the level of the rent cap and scope for clarifying how joint tenancies in the private sector are ended. The Bill brings forward a package of reforms to help ensure people have a safe, secure and affordable place to live. It includes measures that provide a framework for a long-term system of rent control in Scotland. The consultation addresses three main areas: properties that should be exempt from rent control area restrictions; properties that should be subject to modified rent control area restrictions; and clarifying how joint tenancies in the private rented sector are ended.
Closes 18 July 2025
Draft Updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is consulting on the draft updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP-OWE). The plan sets out an integrated framework for sustainable offshore wind development in Scottish waters, informed by the latest scientific evidence. It identifies opportunities and constraints while balancing the needs of communities, nature and other sea users. The consultation includes supporting assessments covering environmental, socio-economic, habitats regulation, nature conservation, sustainability and business regulatory impact. A series of engagement events are being held across Scotland and online to gather stakeholder input on this complex landscape of choices and trade-offs.
Closes 22 August 2025
Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment (HEETSA) – Scoping Consultation
Scottish Government
The purpose of this Scoping Consultation is to set out the Scottish Government’s initial proposals for the scope of a Heat and Energy Efficiency Technical Suitability Assessment (HEETSA) and seek stakeholder views on the overall concept of HEETSA and how it relates to other parts of the heat and energy efficiency retrofit landscape. The Scottish Government’s objective in making these initial proposals is to safeguard consumers by developing a technical suitability assessment, which ensures that building owners can identify the ‘right’ measures when improving their energy efficiency and changing their heating systems. Read the consultation paper.
*NEW* Closes 29 August 2025
Private Rented Sector (PRS) Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES)
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on the Scottish Government’s proposals to introduce Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulations in the domestic Private Rented Sector (PRS) using existing powers within in the Energy Act 2011. These regulations would mean all privately rented properties, as far as possible, reaching EPC Heat Retention Rating (HRR) band C from 2028 for new tenancies and by 2033 for all privately rented homes. This will improve those homes, reduce energy costs for tenants and support the transition to clean heating. Your views are welcomed, regarding the practical implications, as proposals are finalised to help ensure these regulations to work as effectively as possible. Read the consultation paper.
*NEW* Closes 29 August 2025
Rural Tourism in Scotland Survey
Historic Houses Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates
Member properties of Historic Houses Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates are invited to complete this survey to provide data for a major report on rural tourism in Scotland. The survey aims to gather evidence on the impact of rural tourism businesses on Scotland’s economy and address challenges and opportunities facing the sector. The report will feed into VisitScotland and the Scottish Government’s aims for growing tourism across Scotland in a sustainable way. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
No closing date specified
ScotLand Futures
Scottish Land Commission
ScotLand Futures is a national initiative led by the Scottish Land Commission exploring what a fully reformed approach to land in Scotland could look like and how to make it happen. The initiative aims to think big, tackle challenges, provide certainty for the future, and find practical solutions to ensure land benefits everyone. The Scottish Land Commission wants to hear from people across Scotland, whether they live in a city, town, village or rural area, about what land reform means to them and what changes they want to see.
No closing date specified
Consultation Responses
Petition to Safeguard Scottish Listed Buildings at Risk of Unnecessary Demolition
Correspondence from BEFS to the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee has been published, further to BEFS Director Hazel Johnson’s contributions to a 4 June evidence session for Petition PE2105, calling on the Scottish Government to take specific actions to safeguard listed buildings from unnecessary demolition. BEFS previously shared a submission statement with the Committee. An official report of the evidence session is now available (BEFS 02/06/25)
Scottish Building Safety Levy: consultation analysis report and published responses (Scot Gov 06/06/02025)
Petitions
Clerk’s note on PE2138: Make publicly owned buildings accessible for people with colour blindness (Scot Parl 18/06/2025)
Clerk’s note on PE2150: Amend the Scottish Housing Regulator’s mandate or create a body to protect owners of ex council properties (Scot Parl 18/06/2025)
Clerk’s note on PE2152: Review and update the Home Report system to ensure it protects both the seller and the buyer (Scot Parl 18/06/2025)
News Releases
Joint letter expressing concerns about the Visitor Levy (Scottish Tourism Alliance 23/05/2025)
2025 SURF Awards – Launch for Applications (SURF 05/06/2025)
UKRI Policy Fellowships 2025 – open for applications (UKRI 09/06/2025)
Grant funding targets heritage for all (HES 11/06/2025)
Accelerate to Zero Awards open for submissions (BE-ST 11/06/2025)
European Commission and Europa Nostra announce the winners of Europe’s top heritage awards 2025 (Europa Nostra 12/06/2025)
RTPI Scotland calls for a stronger focus on monitoring and analysis in the continued implementation of Scotland’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) (RTPI 18/06/2025)
Publications
Europeans’ attitudes towards culture (European Commission May 2025)
Comprehensive tools for understanding urban development and planning activities (City Scope June 2025)
AI Guide Survey: to make exploring history and culture accessible and personalised for everyone (Aurorion June 2025)
Research on access to culture in Scotland (National Galleries of Scotland 04/06/2025)
Left in the cold: Report outlining some of the harms experienced by people living in homes with poor energy efficiency (Citizens Advice Scotland 05/06/2025)
Housing Investment Taskforce: Report (CaCHE 10/06/2025)
Places, people, and possibilities of urban retrofit (Urban Retrofit 13/06/2025)
Reflections on the Housing Investment Taskforce (CaCHE 13/06/2025)
Tick tock for tenements (CaCHE 13/06/2025)
Scottish & UK: Governmental & Parliamentary Publications
Correspondence between the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee and the Economy and Fair Work Committee regarding the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 21/05/2025)
Correspondence between Colleges Scotland and the Economy and Fair Work Committee regarding the inquiry into skills delivery (Scot Parl 23/05/2025)
Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee: Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 29/05/2025)
A just transition for Aberdeen and the North East: Climate Action Minister’s statement (Scot Gov 03/06/2025)
Delegated powers in the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 (Scot Parl 03/06/2025)
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee: Official Report (Scot Parl 03/06/2025)
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee: Official Report (Scot Parl 03/06/2025)
Planning and environmental appeals: guidance for reporters (Scot Gov 03/06/2025)
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee: Official Report (Scot Parl 04/06/2025)
Economy and Fair Work Committee: Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 04/06/2025)
Home Energy Scotland (HES) Grant and Loan Schemes Contract administration and management: equality impact assessment (Scot Gov 04/06/2025)
Rural Affairs and Islands Committee: Official Report and Minutes (Scot Parl 04/06/2025)
NPF4 Planning Guidance: Policy 2 – Climate Mitigation and Adaptation (Scot Gov 05/06/2025)
Scotland’s cladding remediation estimates: June 2025 (Scot Gov 05/06/2025)
Cladding Remediation Programme update: letter from Minister for Housing (Scot Gov 05/06/2025)
Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill introduced (Scot Parl 05/06/2025)
Improving home energy efficiency – retrofit assessment review: policy report (Scot Gov 06/06/2025)
Affordable and social housing finance innovation – synthesis, reflection and implications for Scotland: international evidence (Scot Gov 09/06/2025)
City Region and Regional Growth Deals: response from Deputy First Minister (Scot Parl 09/06/2025)
Consultations related to next steps of the Heat in Buildings Bill: letter from Minister for Climate Action (Scot Parl 09/06/2025)
Housing Investment Taskforce report (Scot Gov 09/06/2025)
Historic Environment Records; written question regarding planning applications (UK Parl 09/06/2025)
Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill: letter from Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity (Scot Parl 09/06/2025)
New Clause 69 – Examination of applications for development consent. Planning and Infrastructure Bill Debate (UK Parl 09/06/2025)
Planning circular 2/2025: fees for applications (Scot Gov 09/06/2025)
Planning circular 3/2025: fees for local reviews and appeals (Scot Gov 09/06/2025)
PM unveils AI breakthrough to slash planning delays and help build 1.5 million homes (UK Gov 09/06/2025)
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee: Minutes (Scot Parl 10/06/2025)
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations Annual Conference 2025: First Minister’s speech (Scot Gov 10/06/2025)
Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund: progress report (Scot Gov 10/06/2025)
Wind turbine appeal decisions: statistics (Scot Gov 10/06/2025)
Buildings: Cultural Heritage written question (UK Parl 11/06/2025)
Carbon budget regulations and climate change plan timeline: letter to Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy (Scot Parl 11/06/2025)
Condition of Government property (UK Parl 11/06/2025)
Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill – clerks note (Scot Parl 11/06/2025)
Housing placed at the heart of Cabinet (Scot Parl 11/06/2025)
Housing (Scotland) Bill Stage 2: letter from Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (Scot Parl 11/06/2025)
National Planning Framework 4: Policy 22 (flood risk and water management) – Chief Planner letter (Scot Gov 11/06/2025)
Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill – clerks note (Scot Parl 11/06/2025)
Spending Review: Billions to back Scottish jobs (UK Gov 11/06/2025)
Spending Review presents challenges (Scottish Gov 11/06/2025)
UK Government announces 25 “trailblazer neighbourhoods” to receive long-term investment (UK Gov 11/06/2025)
BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 133 (Scot Gov 12/06/2025)
Correspondence between the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Economy and Fair Work Committee regarding the Visitor Levy (Scot Parl 12/06/2025)
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee report on the Environmental Regulation (Enforcement Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2025 (Scot Parl 16/06/2025)
Fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) annual review – clerks note (Scot Parl 17/06/2025)
Future Trends for Scotland – Findings from the 2024-25 Horizon Scanning Project (Scot Gov 17/06/2025)
Review of Architecture & Design Scotland Background Report and Summary Report (Scot Gov 17/06/2025)
Clerk’s note on Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill (Stage 1) (Scot Parl 18/06/2025)
Motions
S6M-17700
Submitted by: Alexander Stewart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date Lodged: 04/06/2025
That the Parliament acknowledges what it sees as the vital importance of Scotland’s towns’ and cities’ high streets, including in the Mid Scotland and Fife region; understands that Scotland’s retail industry employs almost 230,000 people of all ages and abilities in more than 22,000 shops, which collectively produce a turnover of £27 billion per annum; further understands that Scotland’s retailers have donated and raised over £100 million for Scottish good causes since 2016, whilst Scottish retail contributes around £525 million in tax revenue; believes that retailers wish to work with the Scottish Government to deliver net zero, thus building a more circular economy whilst creating a far healthier Scotland; notes the view that there is a pressing need for a visible and effective high street police presence, especially in relation to reports of rising rates of theft and shop worker abuse; further notes the calls from high street business owners for more investment into transport infrastructure, to give apprenticeship levy payers access to skills training on the basis of those contributions, as well as to review all public sector bodies to assess whether there are opportunities for the identification of efficiencies, and notes the calls from retailers to universally revitalise high streets, which, it believes, have the potential, if nurtured, to be accessible for all, in addition to being safe, diverse, vibrant and attractive places for both residents and visitors alike.
Status: Has not yet achieved cross-party support
S6M-17862
Submitted by: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour.
Date Lodged: 09/06/2025
That the Parliament agrees that the Lomond Banks planning application for a development at Balloch should be called in for determination by the Scottish Ministers; that any subsequent decision on the planning application should be made in a fair and impartial way that takes into account all relevant legal requirements and maintains the integrity of the planning process; believes that the significant public interest in this application and its location within a national park make it a matter of national interest, and asks that ministers assess the application’s compatibility with National Planning Framework 4, as approved by the Parliament in 2023, and with the statutory aims of the national park.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday 11 June 2025
Opinion & Comment
Alexander McCall-Smith: ‘A tartan nightmare, shallow and garish’ threatens Edinburgh; The Future of Edinburgh Series (The Herald 03/06/2025)
Labour MPs poised to rebel over planning bill amid concerns for nature (The Guardian 04/06/2025)
Scots have best access to culture in UK, but statistics indicate a class divide still exists (The Independent 04/06/2025)
Homeowners warned over green energy scammers (BBC Scotland 09/06/2025)
Mackintosh building to be turned into Catholic museum (BBC News 09/06/2025)
Damp and mouldy housing means too many people are left in the cold (Third Force News 10/06/2025)
Plans for Loch Lomond Flamingo Land resort stalled (BBC Scotland 10/06/2025)
Spending Review: ‘deeply concerning’ and ‘self-imposed injury’, arts leaders warn (Whats On Stage 11/06/2025)
Spending Review: Kirkcaldy town centre set for game-changing multi-million pound investment (Fife Today 11/06/2025)
Spending Review: £1.2bn Annual Investment in Skills and Training (FE News 11/06/2025)
These are the latest plans at the Glasgow School of Art. Really? (The Herald 16/06/2025)
SNP plan to cut £1bn of public sector ‘waste’ (The Herald 17/06/2025)
St Paul’s trains new craftsmen to save historic buildings (The Times 17/06/2025)
Events
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
The Cockburn Association – Campaigning For Edinburgh Book Launch
Date & Time: Thursday 19 June 2025; 7-9pm
Location: Laigh Hall, Faculty of Advocates, Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RF
Join The Cockburn Association for the launch of their new publication, Campaigning for Edinburgh. To mark the 150th anniversary of the Association in 2025, this publication outlines the many issues and campaigns in which the Association was involved. It reflects on Henry Cockburn’s legacy, who asked in 1849, “how will Edinburgh look in 1949, or 2049?”. The evening will include talks from the authors, an exhibit from the Faculty of Advocates’ collections on Lord Henry Cockburn, and a reception.
IHBC/RTPI – Finding the Balance: Built Heritage & Landscape Conservation in Development Planning
Date & Time: Friday 20 June 2025; 10:30am-4:15pm
Location: Dunkeld and Birnam
The neighbouring communities of Dunkeld and Birnam in Perthshire are locations for this training day. They benefit from multiple and overlapping heritage designations. This event will review the history of planning in Dunkeld and consider the challenges and opportunities facing today’s planners in allowing development while conserving their rich built heritage. Hosted by IHBC Scotland and RTPI Scottish Young Planners Network.
Under One Roof – Navigating Tenement Building Repairs for Landlords, with East Ayrshire Council
Date & Time: Tuesday 1 July 2025; 10-11am
Location: Online
Landlords in East Ayrshire are invited to a free one-hour webinar to learn about basic tenement repair and maintenance. Topics covered include: Understanding relevant legislation; understanding the Repairing Standard; the difference between individual, mutual and common repairs and; how to organise and pay for repairs with your co-owners and co-landlords.
NESTA – A policy plan for clean heat in Scotland
Date & Time: Thursday 24 July 2025; 12-1pm
Location: Online
With the 2045 net zero targets inching closer, the Heat in Buildings Bill due to pass through Scottish Parliament next year, a new Climate Change Plan required, and Holyrood elections coming up, there’s never been a more important time to act – and there’s no shortage of opportunities for change. NESTA would like to convene experts to deep-dive into Nesta’s new report A policy plan for clean heat in Scotland, exploring how Scotland can unlock policy action and provide clear direction for the clean heat transition. This event is for Scottish policymakers, clean heat installers, net zero campaigners, and all those interested in a compelling, workable solution to the clean energy transition across Scotland.
CaCHE – Reflections and Developments in Housing Research: What’s Next?
Date & Time: Monday 8 September 2025; 9am-3:30pm
Location: James McCune Smith Learning Hub, University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QW
The International Journal of Housing Policy is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and together with the UK Centre for Collaborative Housing Evidence (CaCHE) is hosting a symposium on Reflections and Developments in Housing Research: What’s Next? The seminar will situate its retrospective insights with an eye of the future direction of research. The occasion aims to be a celebration of the significant contributions of the housing research community and highlight the importance of continued research in shaping housing futures.
Heritage Network – Conference 2025
Date & Time: Sunday 28 – Tuesday 30 September 2025
Location: Bradford
Bradford City of Culture is the venue for the heritage networking event of the year; an exhilarating three days of tours, visits, presentations, discussions, socialising and networking.
Training
Heritage Network – Carbon Literacy Training
Date & Time: Tuesday 9 & 16 September 2025;10am-12:30pm
Location: Online
Carbon Literacy is a key way for organisations to gain an awareness of the causes and impacts of climate change and an understanding of carbon emissions. It provides a great foundation for individuals, teams and organisations to begin to take steps towards reducing their carbon emissions and become more environmentally sustainable. As a sector, this training will help to collectively make a difference through taking responsibility and committing to lowering emissions. The focus of Carbon Literacy is about empowering people to take action. To become certified as Carbon Literate you must pledge to undertake an individual and group action that will help you and your organisation to achieve net zero. The £15 (member) and £30 (non-member) charge for this course covers your Carbon Literacy Trust certification fee. If you have any questions, please email Samya Kelly.
Vacancies
National Trust for Scotland – Conservation Maintenance Surveyor
Salary: – £40,707 – £44,847 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Status: Full-Time, Permanent (40 Hours Per Week)
Location: Highland and Island region, but potentially flexible on an informal basis under Hybrid Working arrangements and requirement to attend sites regularly.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) are seeking a Conservation Maintenance Surveyor. This role is located in the Highlands and Islands regional team. As the regional building maintenance specialist, you will work closely with the regional Building Surveyor to advise and support Operations Teams, putting the Trust’s Conservation Principles into practice through focusing on planned and reactive maintenance of all built structures. In this role, you will be instrumental in shaping the way the Trust manages the maintenance of its buildings, helping to build maintenance plans for each building and dealing with backlog maintenance projects. This job will support the National Trust for Scotland Strategy by contributing to improving the condition of buildings, delivering best practice in built heritage conservation and maintenance management, and supporting the safe operation of sites. Reporting directly to the National Maintenance Lead this role has responsibility for supporting and undertaking the planning and delivery of sensitive conservation, maintenance and repair to NTS buildings and advising property operations teams on all aspects of buildings care. The role also assists operations staff to maintain public access to sites and buildings during essential building work. You will have experience of working in maintenance planning and management or demonstrable understanding of maintenance management processes e.g. through similar experience or trade background or experience of working in a role caring for historic buildings. The Trust are interested in speaking to people from a range of professional building and trade backgrounds, and would be happy to advise you whether your qualifications suit their needs. Any enquiries should be forwarded to: workforus@nts.org.uk. Please see this link for more detailed information on applications and the detailed job application.
Closing date: Friday 20 June 2025
National Trust for Scotland – Building Conservation Surveyor
Salary: £40,707- £53,128 per annum (dependent on experience and qualifications)
Status: Full-Time, Permanent (40 Hours Per Week)
Location: Broadstone Hub, 50 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9LD. Flexibility to include some working-at-home under Hybrid Working arrangements and requirement to attend sites regularly.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) are seeking a Building Conservation Surveyor. The Building Conservation Team delivers direct support to the regional management and operations teams, under the management and supervision of the Lead Conservation Surveyor and the Head of Building Conservation. Each Region is supported by a Building Conservation Surveyor and a Maintenance Surveyor, who between them support Trust property and conservation operations by delivering conservation maintenance activities to ensure that all buildings are fit for purpose, safe and welcoming for visitors, meet legislative standards of compliance and deliver the Trust’s charitable purposes. This role will be based in the Edinburgh and East Region of Scotland providing support to the regional team. A Building Conservation professional with at least 2 years’ post-qualification experience, you will be part of the team that supports the Trust’s operational regions in caring for and operating buildings. You will work with castles, cottages, museums, offices, bothies, residential and agricultural lets, and toilet blocks – old and new buildings are all part of the NTS portfolio. You will promote and deliver best practice in conservation, safe construction and maintenance management and support operational colleagues with guidance and advice. You will undertake surveys, diagnose defects, specify repairs, and manage projects to deliver conservation, improvement, repair, and maintenance works to the Trust’s built assets. Please see this link for more information on applications and the detailed job description.
Closing date: Sunday 22 June 2025
Edinburgh World Heritage – Energy Retrofit and Adaptation Specialist
Salary: £35,020 per annum
Status: Full time for a fixed term to 31 March 2026 (permanent contract afterwards subject to funding being secured); 35hrs per week
Location: Edinburgh EH8 8DD; hybrid working (min 2 days per week office-based)
Edinburgh World Heritage are looking for an Energy Retrofit and Adaptation Specialist to deliver innovative energy retrofit and adaptation pilot projects which preserve the historic and architectural significance of buildings in the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site. The role involves conducting targeted research, producing and disseminating guidance on reducing carbon emissions of historic buildings and improving their resilience against the impacts of climate change. This is an exceptional opportunity to play a key role in the conservation of the city’s rich heritage through developing sensitive and practical solutions to support the transition of historic buildings and to adapt them to climate change. More information and application process can be found here.
Interviews: w/c 21 July 2025 (expected to be on Tuesday 22 and/or Wednesday 23 July 2025 – may be subject to change)
Closing date: 12pm on Monday 14 July 2025
We are truly grateful for your continued support and engagement.
Thank you for the trust you have placed in us to deliver relevant and timely information about the built environment sector.
Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to colleagues, friends and family who are part of the sector, so they know where to go for staying informed about built environment sector news, vacancies, insights, policies.
If you would like to receive the bulletin as a bi-monthly email, you can subscribe here.
Your support helps us grow and improve our service to the existing Scottish built environment community. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Get The Latest Built Environment News, Policy Developments, Publications & Consultations
BEFS News
On a gloriously sunny day last week BEFS Director attended the Construction Skills Demonstration at the Scottish Parliament, organised by The Scottish Traditional Building Forum (STBF) and supported by Historic Environment Scotland (HES). The event took place on the 14th and 15th of May on the Landscaped Gardens and was sponsored by Gordon MacDonald and Alex Rowley. Pupils from Edinburgh, Stirling, South Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire received mini masterclasses in masonry, slate roofing, painting and decorating, electrical engineering, digital documentation – and more – with the event highlighting the many and varied careers in the construction sector. Attending MSPs had the opportunity to meet the apprentices and businesses delivering the demonstrations and hear about the importance of skills and training opportunities for the future of our built environment.
Another vital skills area: UK heritage bodies Cadw, Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland have joined forces, publishing a new handbook to support learners undertaking retrofit qualifications. The handbook provides an additional resource for those working toward the Level 3 Award in Energy Efficiency Measures for Older and Traditional Buildings. The publication supports a holistic approach to retrofit, providing learners with a robust understanding of building performance and pathology. Approximately 6.5 million buildings in the UK – 20%-30% of all buildings in England, Scotland and Wales – are of traditional construction, making these skills essential to meeting our net zero targets.
In an example of collaborative approaches to shared issues, over 20 of Scotland’s infrastructure organisations are working together to protect Scotland’s critical infrastructure from weather and climate related impacts. The ‘Climate Ready Infrastructure Scotland Forum’ was co-founded by Network Rail, Scottish Water and SP Energy Networks to build resilience against the growing impacts of climate change on Scotland’s infrastructure. The group aims to share best practice and advice, data and insights essential to ‘climate ready’ decision making, and work to better understand the climate-related risk interdependencies that exist between infrastructure systems in Scotland. The Forum also has longer-term aims of co-developing on-the-ground adaptation interventions in areas of shared climate-risk.
And last but not least, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has launched a consultation on its long-term strategy for heritage designation, seeking views on how the strategy can identify and legally protect Scotland’s most important historic sites and places. This strategy outlines HES vision for heritage designations by 2035, and highlights priorities for the next three years. Read the draft strategy and provide your feedback until 1 July 2025.
Parliamentary Questions & Answers
Please see our Link to Parliamentary Questions and Answers for recent questions regarding Data, Housing, Funding Plans, and Culture.
Consultations
Climate change duties – draft statutory guidance for public bodies: consultation
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is gathering views to help inform new Statutory Guidance for public bodies, to support them in putting climate change duties into practice. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘the 2009 Act’) places duties on relevant public bodies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to delivery of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan, and to act in the most sustainable way. Under the 2009 Act, Scottish Ministers are required to provide public bodies with guidance, to support them in putting their climate change duties into practice. Statutory guidance was originally published in 2011 and now requires to be updated. This consultation seeks your views on new draft Statutory Guidance which has been developed for this purpose, and which will replace the 2011 guidance. The consultation paper contains a full draft of the proposed Statutory Guidance. The questions in this consultation are intended to gather your feedback on the content of the guidance. Please read or refer to the guidance while responding.
Closes 23 May 2025
Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Parliament
The Economy and Fair Work Committee wants to hear your views on the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill as set out in its accompanying Financial Memorandum. The purpose of this Bill is to ensure that CWB is implemented consistently across Scotland as an economic development tool. The Bill proposes to do three things: It would place a duty on the Scottish Ministers to publish a CWB statement which sets out the measures they will take to facilitate CWB. It would require local authorities and ‘relevant public bodies’ to publish and implement a CWB plan for their area. It would require ‘specified public bodies’ to have due regard to CWB guidance when developing their corporate plans and associated delivery strategies. The Scottish Government would like to hear views as to whether the Bill might achieve its aims, on the public bodies proposed, potential unintended consequences, and about benefits to local communities.
Closes 23 May 2025
Heritage Science Data Service: User Needs Survey
National Heritage Science Forum
The National Heritage Science Forum (NHSF) is undertaking a User Needs consultation on behalf of Heritage Science Data Service (HSDS), as part of the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme. Heritage science is uniquely inter-disciplinary, covering disciplines including archaeology, conservation, materials science, art history, physics, robotics and computer science. The new HSDS provides core digital research services as part of the RICHeS programme, the UK’s Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science. If you create or use heritage science data as an employee, volunteer or student, you are encouraged to complete this survey. Your feedback will help shape and build the HSDS.
Closes 31 May 2025
Volunteer-involving heritage organisations survey
Historic Environment Scotland
Make Your Mark, a campaign to increase the number and diversity of heritage volunteers in Scotland, is running a survey with Volunteer Scotland and Our Past, Our Future, Scotland’s national strategy for the historic environment, to better understand volunteering in Scotland’s heritage sector. The survey is open to volunteer-involving heritage organisations and groups in Scotland and should be filled out by the person(s) who oversee the management/organisation of volunteers. Responses will inform what support is offered to volunteer-involving organisations, help advocate for needs within the sector, and help make heritage volunteering accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
*NEW* Closes 16 June 2025
Developing an Ecosystem Restoration Code for Scotland
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is seeking views on developing an Ecosystem Restoration Code (ERC) for Scotland as a new high-integrity market mechanism to attract responsible private investment into nature restoration and biodiversity projects. This commitment, outlined in the 2024 Natural Capital Market Framework, is being delivered via a Scottish Government-NatureScot partnership project. An Engagement Paper has been published summarising the results of the Discovery Phase and setting out key issues to be explored during co-development with stakeholders. Responses to the survey will be analysed, alongside evidence from Engagement Phase events, to inform a series of recommendations for developing/writing the ERC during the later stages of this project.
Closes 29 June 2025
Skills Survey for Historic Environment Employers
Historic Environment Scotland
HES is seeking input from employers, sole traders and organisations in the heritage sector about skills needs, gaps, and training provision. The survey aims to monitor the skills health of the sector and inform planning for support programmes. This follow-up to the 2023 survey will help track trends and prioritise actions outlined in the Skills Investment Plan for the Historic Environment (SIP) published in April 2024. HES particularly wants to hear from those working in archaeology, heritage architecture, conservation, museums, traditional building skills, and related fields. Results will influence the direction of the SIP over the next four years.
Closes 30 June 2025
ECHOES Consultation
European Cloud for Heritage Open Science
The ECHOES project is building a shared digital space, the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH), designed to support heritage professionals and researchers across Europe. To ensure this platform meets real-world needs, ECHOES has launched a consultation survey to better understand the priorities, challenges, and expectations of the cultural heritage community. The consultation is open to all cultural heritage stakeholders, including professionals, researchers, computer scientists/developers, umbrella organisations and institutions with a vested interest in the development and application of the Cultural Heritage Cloud.
Closes end of June 2025
Scotland’s protected historic places – consultation on a long-term strategy for heritage designation
Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is looking for your views on their strategy for how to identify and legally protect Scotland’s most important historic sites and places. Heritage designation is the system used to provide legal recognition and protection for historic sites across Scotland. More than 55,000 sites are currently protected in this way. The strategy sets out a long-term approach to delivering national-level heritage designations. HES is setting out their vision for designations in 2035, their mission, and priorities for the three-year period 2025-28. Download the strategy consultation paper.
*NEW* Closes 1 July 2025
Clean Heat Market Mechanism: revisions ahead of Scheme Year 2 (2026/2027)
UK Government
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has launched a consultation on the heat pump credit target for Year 2 of the Clean Heat Market Mechanism. It also explores views on proposals to name the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) the sole certification scheme for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism. The consultation seeks views on setting a Year 2 heat pump target level within the proposed range of 8-10% of relevant boiler sales.
*NEW* Closes 2 July 2025
Housing (Scotland) Bill
Scottish Government
This consultation seeks views on how powers within the Housing (Scotland) Bill could be used to exempt certain types of properties from rent control. It also looks into circumstances where rents could be increased above the level of the rent cap and scope for clarifying how joint tenancies in the private sector are ended. The Bill brings forward a package of reforms to help ensure people have a safe, secure and affordable place to live. It includes measures that provide a framework for a long-term system of rent control in Scotland. The consultation addresses three main areas: properties that should be exempt from rent control area restrictions; properties that should be subject to modified rent control area restrictions; and clarifying how joint tenancies in the private rented sector are ended.
Closes 18 July 2025
Rural Tourism in Scotland Survey
Historic Houses Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates
Member properties of Historic Houses Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates are invited to complete this survey to provide data for a major report on rural tourism in Scotland. The survey aims to gather evidence on the impact of rural tourism businesses on Scotland’s economy and address challenges and opportunities facing the sector. The report will feed into VisitScotland and the Scottish Government’s aims for growing tourism across Scotland in a sustainable way. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.
No closing date specified
ScotLand Futures
Scottish Land Commission
ScotLand Futures is a national initiative led by the Scottish Land Commission exploring what a fully reformed approach to land in Scotland could look like and how to make it happen. The initiative aims to think big, tackle challenges, provide certainty for the future, and find practical solutions to ensure land benefits everyone. The Scottish Land Commission wants to hear from people across Scotland, whether they live in a city, town, village or rural area, about what land reform means to them and what changes they want to see.
No closing date specified
Consultation Responses
Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill
As stated above, the Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee issued a call for views on this Bill, introduced to Parliament in March 2025. BEFS drew attention to Members’ particular interests around Community Wealth Building principles relating to vacant and derelict buildings, local procurement and workforce development. The response cautioned that significant progress towards aspirations for enhanced nationwide activity and consistency in Community Wealth Building would be difficult to achieve without wider investments in the built environment.
(BEFS 16/05/25)
Petitions
Submission on PE1885: Make offering Community Shared Ownership mandatory for all windfarm development planning proposals (Scot Parl 02/05/2025)
Submission on PE2150: Amend the Scottish Housing Regulator’s mandate or create a body to protect owners of ex-council properties (Scot Parl 08/05/2025)
News Releases
British Academy Report: Value of social and cultural infrastructure ‘risks being neglected in decision-making’ without new measurement framework (The British Academy 30/04/2025)
What does the volunteer cohort of the heritage sector look like in 2025? (Historic England 06/05/2025)
Climate Ready Infrastructure Scotland Forum (Adaptation Scotland 07/05/2025)
Industry Update: 2025-26 Programme for Government – Key Headlines for Tourism and Hospitality Businesses (Scottish Tourism Alliance 07/05/2025)
What would abolishing the UK government’s department for culture mean for the arts? (The Art Newspaper 07/05/2025)
Edinburgh appoints visitor levy forum chair (City of Edinburgh Council 08/05/2025)
Apply for Europe’s most prestigious heritage awards (Europa Nostra 08/05/2025)
Prosperity begins at home: Scottish housing policies for faster, fairer economic growth (David Hume Institute 08/05/2025)
The Open University Scotland 2026 Scottish Parliament Election Manifesto (The Open University Scotland 08/05/2025)
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and Leith Civic Trust Celebrate Community Partnership at Leith Custom House (SHBT 11/05/2025)
Bridging the retrofit skills gap (PBC Today 14/05/2025)
Dunbar backland support centre builds traditional skills (Urban Realm 15/05/2025)
Historic England warns of ‘significant barriers’ for disabled people in heritage sector (Arts Professional 15/05/2025)
Publications
Guidance for owners on the installation of solar panels, heat pumps or insulation in common parts of tenements in Scotland (Harper McLeod LLP March 2025)
A Brief Introduction to Semi-Detached Housing (Historic England 12/05/2025)
A Workforce Fit for the Future: Reforming Scottish skills and employability services to support growth (Our Scottish Future 12/05/2025)
Imagination infrastructures: Pathfinders: learnings from 2 years of supporting future-building practice (Joseph Rowntree Foundation 12/05/2025)
Sustainable infrastructure for a thriving Scotland 2025-30 Corporate Plan (Scottish Futures Trust 12/05/2025)
Scottish Futures Trust 2025-30 Business Plan (Scottish Futures Trust 12/05/2025)
A smarter approach to homelessness: Prioritising prevention in the 2025 spending review (Institute for Government 13/05/2025)
Housing Supply for a Growing Economy (Prosper 14/05/2025)
Scottish & UK: Governmental & Parliamentary Publications
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee: Housing (Scotland) Bill Stage 2 consideration (Scot Parl 06/05/2025)
Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Impact assessment (UK Gov 06/05/2025)
Public appointment: Chair appointed to the Board of Environmental Standards Scotland (Scot Gov 06/05/2025)
Public appointment: Members reappointed to the Environmental Standards Scotland Board (Scot Gov 06/05/2025)
Reforms to get Britain building will boost economy by billions (UK Gov 06/05/2025)
Programme for Government 2025 to 2026 (Scot Gov 06/05/2025)
Infrastructure investment plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: major capital projects progress update – February 2025 (Scot Gov 07/05/2025)
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee: Housing (Scotland) Bill Minutes (Scot Parl 07/05/2025)
The Final Countdown to election 2026: Programme for Government 2025-26 – Building the Best Future for Scotland (SPICe 07/05/2025)
Public appointment: Members appointed to the Board of Scottish Futures Trust (Scot Gov 07/05/2025)
Green Industrial Partnership: UK – Norway memorandum of understanding (UK Gov 08/05/2025)
Kinloch Castle Study: Final report (Scot Gov 08/05/2025)
Economy and Fair Work Committee: Scotland’s City and Regional Growth Deals (Scot Parl 09/05/2025)
New £1m fund to prevent homelessness (Scot Gov 12/05/2025)
Place Directors: factsheet (Scot Gov 12/05/2025)
Debate on ‘Impact of Churches and religious buildings on their communities’ (UK Parl 13/05/2025)
Community Rights to Buy: overview (Scot Gov 13/05/2025)
Housing Statistics for Scotland, 2023-24 (Scot Gov 13/05/2025)
Second homes in Scotland – facts, figures and policy (SPICe 13/05/2025)
Planning and Infrastructure Bill Debate: Clause 45 – Training for local planning authorities in England (UK Parl 13/05/2025)
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee Official Report (Scot Parl 13/05/2025)
Construction Skills for the Future Debate (Scot Parl 13/05/2025)
Planning Reforms: Energy and Housing Costs – Questions (House of Lords 15/05/2025)
Third marshalled list of amendments and third grouping of amendments on the Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 15/05/2025)
Scotland’s Housing Emergency – one year on (SPICe 15/05/2025)
Report on the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee’s inquiry into the housing emergency in Scotland (Scot Parl 15/05/2025)
UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement Report: trade in services, youth mobility, and touring artists; and opportunities to improve the UK-EU trading relationship (Scot Parl 16/05/2025)
Planning obligation appeals: form and guidance (Scot Gov 16/05/2025)
Wind turbine appeal decisions: statistics (Scot Gov 20/05/2025)
Compulsory purchase orders: register (Scot Gov 20/05/2025)
Affordable Housing Supply Programme: resource planning assumptions (Scot Gov 20/05/2025)
Opinion & Comment
‘Year of service’ would help young Scots gain skills – report (STV 12/05/2025)
Welsh thatching and ship figurehead carving added to UK crafts red list (The Guardian 13/05/2025)
Study reveals disability barriers for UK heritage employees (Museums & Heritage Advisor 14/05/2025)
50 years since Local Democracy Died (Land Matters 15/05/2025)
Poor building standards add £1,000 to energy bills of new homes (The Guardian 16/05/2025)
Motions
S6M-17598
Submitted by: Mairi Gougeon, Angus North and Mearns, Scottish National Party
Date Lodged: 19/05/2025
That the Parliament recognises Scotland’s islands’ invaluable contribution to Scotland’s economy, culture and identity; welcomes the investments that have accompanied Scotland’s first ever national islands plan; recognises the positive impact that the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 has had, but notes the need for further action to tackle island challenges; welcomes the extensive community engagement to develop the new national islands plan, and notes that measures to address depopulation and create community wealth should be key themes of the new plan; further welcomes the positive progress and impact of the Carbon Neutral Islands project, and agrees that the Scottish Government should continue to work towards prosperous and sustainable island communities.
Current status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on Wednesday 21 May 2025
Events
For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar
Upright Gallery – Architecture Reassembled
Date & Time: Saturday 31 May – Friday 20 June
Location: Upright Gallery, 3 Barclay Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 4HP
This exhibition brings together two artists, Ros Lawless & Charles Young, whose interest lies in the built environment – both real and imagined. Ros Lawless’ practice is influenced by her immediate surroundings, in particular architecture, which she uses to organise pictorial space and form. Charles Youngs’ work has its basis in architectural model making and draws on the forms of the built environment. He focuses on the relationship between invented structures and the built history of the existing city.
SURF – Awards Launch Event
Date & Time: Thursday 5 June 2025; 2-2:45pm
Location: Online via zoom
Join SURF to find out more about the 2025 SURF Awards process and the 5 Award categories. Attendees will hear from former SURF Award Winners with their top tips for a successful application. If you have ever considered entering (or re-entering) the Awards or want to know more about this year’s process and what is involved, or to hear directly from projects who have gone through the process, then this event is definitely for you. Find out more about the SURF Awards here and follow this link to book.
Architecture Fringe 2025: Reciprocity – Opening Party
Date & Time: Friday 6 June 2025; 6-9pm
Location: The Briggait, 72 Clyde Street, Glasgow G1 5HZ
The Briggait plays host to the opening party for this year’s Architecture Fringe. In celebration of a jam-packed two week long festival programme come along to an evening of exhibitions, conversation, music and performance. Glasgow-based community brass band Brass, Aye? will be bringing some singing, dancing and carnival vibes. Award-winning independent choreographer and dance-maker Janice Parker will be responding to the space through dance and resident DJ at Scandal Glasgow BELLAROSA will be on the decks with a hypnotic set weaving together beats from across the globe. The Full Festival Programme for the Architecture Fringe 2025 has been made possible through the support of Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding, Moxon Architects, Helen Lucas Architects, and Collective Architecture.
Under One Roof – Navigating Tenement Building Repairs for Landlords, with Dundee City Council
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 June 2025; 11am-12pm
Location: Online
Landlords in Dundee are invited to a free one-hour webinar to learn about basic tenement repair and maintenance. Topics covered include: understanding relevant legislation; the difference between individual, mutual and common repairs; and how to organise and pay for repairs with your co-owners and co-landlords.
IHBC – Annual School Shrewsbury. Heritage in Context: Value | Plan | Change
Date & Time: Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 June 2025
Location: Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, Frankwell, Shrewsbury SY3 8FT
And
Date & Time: Friday 13 June 2025; 9am-3:45pm
Location: Online
Join the IHBC for this year’s annual school in historic Shrewsbury, to explore the rich topic of ‘Heritage in Context’, and how context informs the way in which we understand, value, care for and change our historic environment. There will be a variety of opportunities to engage with the school, from the 3-day Full School which includes local tours and welcome reception for in person delegates, to the Friday Day School, available in person and online, and offering a fantastic programme of talks with expert speakers.
The Cockburn Association – Campaigning For Edinburgh Book Launch
Date & Time: Thursday 19 June 2025; 7-9pm
Location: Laigh Hall, Faculty of Advocates, Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RF
Join The Cockburn Association for the launch of their new publication, Campaigning for Edinburgh. To mark the 150th anniversary of the Association in 2025, this publication outlines the many issues and campaigns in which the Association was involved. It reflects on Henry Cockburn’s legacy, who asked in 1849, “how will Edinburgh look in 1949, or 2049?”. The evening will include talks from the authors, an exhibit from the Faculty of Advocates’ collections on Lord Henry Cockburn, and a reception.
IHBC/RTPI – Finding the Balance: Built Heritage & Landscape Conservation in Development Planning
Date & Time: Friday 20 June 2025; 10am-4:15pm
Location: Dunkeld and Birnam
The neighbouring communities of Dunkeld and Birnam in Perthshire are locations for this training day. They benefit from multiple and overlapping heritage designations. This event will review the history of planning in Dunkeld and consider the challenges and opportunities facing today’s planners in allowing development while conserving their rich built heritage. Hosted by IHBC Scotland and RTPI Scottish Young Planners Network.
Training
SPAB – Maintaining Scottish Churches
Date & Time: Wednesday 28 May 2025; 9:30am-3:45pm
Location: Lochgilphead Parish Church, Oban Road, Lochgilphead PA31 8NE
Are you involved in caring for and maintaining a place of worship in Scotland? Caring for a historic building can feel like a never-ending task, but thankfully there are some simple steps you can take to keep your building in good condition and reduce the likelihood of large repair projects further down the line. In this introductory one-day course, find out how historic faith building works and the practical steps you can take to look after it.
HES/Engine Shed – Level 3 Qualification in Energy Efficiency Measures in Older and Traditional Buildings
Dates & Times: Wednesday 28/Thursday 29 May; Wednesday 10/Thursday 11 September 2025
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 2-day course is accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and delivered by experts leading the way in energy efficiency for traditional and older buildings. The programme includes three modules: recognise the age, nature, and characteristics of older and traditional buildings; evaluate the appropriate options for introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings; make recommendations and give advice on introducing energy efficiency measures to older and traditional buildings. The cost of this is £495 for the two days.
HES/Engine Shed – Introduction to Building Conservation Week
Date and Time: Monday 2-Friday 6 June 2025
Location: The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling FK8 1QZ
This 5-day intensive course will be delivered by Historic Environment Scotland conservation professionals at the Engine Shed in Stirling. Through a series of lectures, activities and site visits, this series of informative and enjoyable days will explore the traditional building skills and materials used in conservation and repair projects throughout the Scottish built environment. The cost of this is £495 for the full week or £110 per day.
Frew Conservation – Repairing Historic Buildings: Traditional Masonry & Joinery
Date & Time: Monday 9 June 2025; 9:30am-4:30pm
Location: The Stables, Falkland Estate, Falkland, Fife KY15 7AF
Join building conservation specialists Craig Frew, Darren McLean & Jamie Ryan for an engaging one-day seminar and workshop focused on the repair of traditional masonry and joinery in historic buildings. Key Topics Include: Stonework conservation and repair; stone cleaning and paint removal; lime mortars, harling and limewash; repair & upgrading of traditional windows and doors; paints and coatings for exterior timber This course is Recognised by the Institute for Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) for CPD.
Heritage Network – Carbon Literacy Training
Date & Time: Monday 9 & 16 June 2025; 10am-12:30pm
Location: Online
Carbon Literacy is a key way for organisations to gain an awareness of the causes and impacts of climate change and an understanding of carbon emissions. It provides a great foundation for individuals, teams and organisations to begin to take steps towards reducing their carbon emissions and become more environmentally sustainable. As a sector, this training will help to collectively make a difference through taking responsibility and committing to lowering emissions. The focus of Carbon Literacy is about empowering people to take action. To become certified as Carbon Literate you must pledge to undertake an individual and group action that will help you and your organisation to achieve net zero. The £15 (member) and £30 (non-member) charge for this course covers your Carbon Literacy Trust certification fee. If you have any questions, please email Samya Kelly.
Planning Aid Scotland – Community Engagement Skills Training SP=EED
Dates & Times: Wednesday 18 June 2025; 10am-3:30pm (Edinburgh); Wednesday 1 October 2025; 10am-3:30pm (Glasgow)
Locations: The Crannie Community Hub, 9 Cranston Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BE & Edward House, 199 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3EX
Delivered by highly experienced trainers with over a decade of expertise in community engagement and training, these workshop offers practical, hands-on guidance using the SP=EED framework. This structured approach will give participants the confidence and tools to approach engagement with clarity and ease. The training focuses on key principles such as how to consult, engage and inform communities effectively. Whether you’re new to community engagement or looking to strengthen your existing skills, this training provides valuable insights and techniques.
Vacancies
SURF – Policy & Advocacy Manager
Salary: £32,500 per annum
Status: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week), working a 9-day fortnight
Location: Hybrid, with every Monday based at the Govan office
Join SURF as their new Policy and Advocacy Manager. Since its inception, SURF has operated from two basic principles: Successful and sustainable regeneration is only achievable when all aspects of physical, social, economic and cultural regeneration are addressed in a holistic approach and; The people who are the intended beneficiaries of any regeneration effort must be meaningfully involved in the process if it is to be successful in planning, implementation and maintenance. These are reflected in their support for the Place Principle, advocating for its equitable implementation. SURF are looking for candidates for this role who share these values and commitment to ensuring communities are at the heart of regeneration. The successful candidate will play a key role in analysing the impact of existing policies on community-led regeneration, identifying barriers to success, and generating innovative ideas to empower communities. Collaboration with SURF members will be essential to gather strong evidence, which will be used to influence decision-makers and shape policy development. This is a small, dynamic and friendly staff team, led by Euan, the Chief Executive, supported by Emma, the Events, Information and Communications Manager and possibly you. The Policy & Advocacy Manager will also work alongside Linda (Alliance for Action Facilitator, Peterhead), Zanne (Alliance for Action Facilitator, Girvan), and Alison (Financial Administrator). SURF is a Scottish Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee, a Scottish Living Wage Accredited Employer, and an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Please email the Application Form to euan@surf.scot
Policy & Advocacy Manager Job Description
Closing date: 9am on Monday 2 June 2025
Historic Houses – External Affairs & Communications Officer
Salary: £35,000 per annum + benefits
Status: Full time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday). Occasionally hours outside of these times may be necessary from time to time. Fixed term, 18 months.
Location: Based at Warwick House, 25-27 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PP. Historic Houses has a hybrid working policy, but strongly encourage regular office attendance. The role will also require travel to Historic Houses member places outside London. Historic Houses are looking for a bright, proactive External Affairs & Communications Officer with a passion for the special places they represent, a keen eye for a good story, sharp attention to detail and creative flair. If you’re energised by the opportunity to shout about the amazing things going on at Historic Houses member places, they want to hear from you! A genuine interest in heritage and culture is really important, as is your ability to craft a good story and create compelling content, whether that be in writing or on video. This is a new role for Historic Houses, which comes with a desire to enhance the public profile and campaigning activities. You’ll sit in the policy & public affairs team, but be working extremely closely with the marketing & development team. No two days at Historic Houses are the same, and this is a particularly exciting time to join a small, high-impact team, working hard to deliver for members and raise the profile of independent heritage across Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff and Stormont, having plenty of fun whilst doing so! Full Job Description. Please email your CV and a covering letter (outlining your suitability for the role with reference to the essential skills and experience specified above) to Sarah Roller, Director of Policy & Public Affairs: sarah.roller@historichouses.org. Please include contact information for two referees and details of your notice period (where applicable).
Closing date: 12pm on Wednesday 4 June 2025
We are truly grateful for your continued support and engagement. Thank you for the trust you have placed in us to deliver relevant and timely information about the built environment sector. Please consider forwarding this newsletter on to colleagues, friends and family who are part of the sector, so they know where to go for staying informed about built environment sector news, vacancies, insights, policies. If you would like to receive the bulletin as a bi-monthly email, you can subscribe here. Your support helps us grow and improve our service to the existing Scottish built environment community. Thank you for being part of our journey!
- Page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2