BEFS Bulletin 380: New beginnings, culture and consultations
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
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