18 Jun 2025

BEFS Bulletin 377: SHEF, surveys, and sector news

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)

 

 

 

   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

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