BEFS Bulletin 388: Sector Resilience, Building Safety and Season’s Greetings

Fife Visitor Levy – Early Engagement Survey
In May 2024, the Scottish Parliament passed the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act, providing local authorities with the ability to charge a set percentage on overnight accommodation paid by visitors. To explore this further, Fife Council agreed to start a period of early engagement public consultation to understand whether and how a Visitor Levy should be implemented in the Fife Council area. Your views and opinions are important and the results will help inform the way forward in Fife.
*NEW* Closes 19 December 2025 

Call for Good Practices: Cultural Heritage as an Asset for the Green, Digital and Social Transformation
European Heritage Hub
The European Heritage Hub is seeking local good practices from cities and regions across Europe in heritage within the context of the ‘triple transformation’- green, digital and social transformation of society. The call is open to local and regional administrations of all sizes from across Europe, including Ukraine, Moldova, Western Balkans and the Caucasus region, as well as EEA, EFTA countries and the UK. Ten inspirational practices will be selected, with hosts eligible to organise onsite peer-learning visits in 2026-2027. Thematic areas include heritage and climate, tourism, digital technologies, communities, youth, values, peace, music, EU enlargement, and the Mediterranean. Applications must be submitted in English via the online form.
Closes 19 December 2025 

Compulsory Purchase Reform
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is carrying out a programme of work to reform and modernise Scotland’s compulsory purchase system. Following a commitment in the Programme for Government 2024/25, a consultation has been published on a comprehensive package of proposals and options for change; to make compulsory purchase simpler, more streamlined and fairer for all parties. The consultation has been informed by extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders, including a practitioner advisory group chaired by the Chief Planner and Roseanna Cunningham, MSP. A number of questions on compulsory sale orders and compulsory lease orders are also included in the consultation paper. Any questions about the consultation: CPO.Reform@gov.scot.
Closes 19 December 2025 

Future of Scotland’s High Streets
UK Parliament
In response to concerns about the evolution of town centres and high streets in Scotland, the Scottish Affairs Committee has opened an inquiry into their future. The Committee is aware of the common application of ‘in decline’ to describe many high streets, and would like to learn more about the potential of models with positive visions that could improve resilience, activity and community led regeneration. Views on how government can best support these emerging visions are also invited. The call for evidence is supported by a short survey.
*NEW* Closes 23 December 2025   

Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 – Thresholds Review
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is consulting on proposed changes to the goods, services, works, and community benefit thresholds within the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. These thresholds determine which procurement rules apply to public contracts in Scotland. The review considers increasing the goods, services, and works thresholds, and decreasing the community benefits threshold, to ensure they remain appropriate and effective.
Closes 8 January 2026  

Draft Circular Economy Strategy
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is committed to moving from a linear “take, make and dispose” economic model to a circular economy where materials and goods are valued and kept in use for as long as possible. This draft circular economy strategy sets out the rationale and benefits of a more circular economy within the wider economic framework and describes the overall vision to 2045 and the outcomes that they are working towards. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation.
Closes 13 January 2026 

Properties and Collections Strategy: Towards Sustainable Stewardship  
Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has published a draft Strategy document entitled: Properties and Collections Strategy: Towards Sustainable Stewardship. This draft Strategy explains how HES plans to care for the Properties and Collections in its care over the long term and why change is needed. Scotland’s historic environment is facing growing challenges, including climate change, rising costs, and a shortage of traditional skills. The Strategy explains how HES will respond to these challenges, make the most of opportunities, prioritise what matters most, and work with communities to protect and use the Properties and Collections in ways that benefit everyone.
Closes 23 January 2026 

Draft Climate Change Plan 2026-2040
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is consulting on its Draft Climate Change Plan for 2026-2040. The Plan sets out wide-ranging policies and proposals to address and adapt to the current and anticipated impacts of climate change, including by reducing carbon emissions, providing warmer homes, improving air quality, and supporting active travel. It features a road map of actions for the next 15 years and a sectoral annex on residential and public buildings.
Closes 29 January 2026 

The Future of Council Tax in Scotland
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) are seeking views on the future of council tax in Scotland. This consultation forms part of a joint programme of work seeking to build consensus on reforms to council tax, which has remained largely unchanged since its introduction over 30 years ago. The findings will help support informed public debate and further consideration in the Scottish Parliament.
Closes 30 January 2026 

Exploring the role of alternative clean heating solutions
UK Government
The UK Government is committed to decarbonising the way we heat our buildings to protect consumers against high energy bills due to volatile global fossil fuel prices, reduce the UK’s dependence on foreign sources of energy and combat climate change. In that process, the UK Government is committed to ensuring there is a good solution for every building and that consumers have access to a range of suitable low-carbon heat technologies. This consultation will be of interest to stakeholders operating in the heat sector, business representative bodies, households, non-domestic buildings, and those with a wider interest in the UK’s net zero ambition.
Closes 10 February 2026 

Measuring the Values of Arts, Culture, and Heritage
Heritage Strategies International
Heritage Strategies International is collaborating with Historic England in a research effort called ‘Developing Taxonomies for Arts, Culture and Heritage.’ The project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This international survey is a means to learn from experts and advocates in arts, culture, and heritage what might be measured, the importance (or not) of measuring values, and to learn what similar work on creating categories of values is being used elsewhere in the world.
No closing date specified 

 

 Consultation Responses

Community Rights to Buy: consultation analysis (Scot Gov 11/12/2025)

Compulsory Purchase Reform
BEFS welcomed the opportunity to comment on the Scottish Government’s 2025 consultation on compulsory purchase reform and noted the importance of mechanisms to sustainably bring derelict or vacant historic and existing built environment assets back into use. BEFS response to this consultation supported bringing legislation into a single statute, noted mixed views in the BEFS Membership on the creation of temporary possession, and provided practical suggestions to encourage early and effective engagement between local governments and owners. (BEFS 16/12/2025)

 

New report shows people don’t want new homes to be built at nature’s expense (RSPB 12/11/2025)

Icon Launches Call for Posters for Icon26; taking place on 24 & 25 June 2026 at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh (Icon 26/11/2025)

Scottish Tourism Alliance: UK Budget a ‘Major Setback’ for Scottish Tourism (STA 27/11/2025)

Princes Street at a Crossroads; Heritage, vision and the future of Edinburgh’s grand boulevard (The Cockburn Association 28/11/2025)

Soundmapping project to create community sound art on the Forth & Clyde Canal (Scottish Canals 02/12/2025)

Historic Environment Scotland Interim Chief Operating Officer appointed (HES 02/12/2025)

Turning ambition into action: housing and climate resilience as the grand challenges post-COP30 (RICS 08/12/2025)

Bar-L’ joins the A list: Late 19th and early 20th century phases of historic Glasgow prison are listed at Category A (HES 10/12/2025)

Hotels, Homes and a Changing City: Balanced development can protect Edinburgh’s character and benefit residents (The Cockburn Association 11/12/2025)

Scottish Tourism Alliance: Holyrood Election Manifesto: Share your Story (STA 11/12/2025)

Cross Sector Consortium inc. Edinburgh Napier University: Timber Reuse Survey (ASBP 12/12/2025)

Snap a photo of Edinburgh and win a year’s membership (HES/EWH 12/12/2025)

New strategy for Scotland’s protected historic places (HES 15/12/2025)

UK’s first national inventory of intangible cultural heritage invites community nominations (The Heritage Alliance December 2025)

 

Publications

Planning and Architecture: Planning and the Housing Emergency Delivery Plan – Actions Update (Scot Gov 28/10/2025)

Public Procurement and Property: Updated guidance on Community Benefits in procurement (Scot Gov 13/11/2025)

Public Procurement and Property: Updated Climate Literacy eLearning on the Sustainable Procurement Tools (Scot Gov 20/11/2025)

Planning and Architecture: Update on Elected Member Training (Scot Gov 25/11/2025)

SPICe Spotlight: Climate Change Plan: policies, proposals and sector summaries (SPICe 01/12/2025)

Amending the visitor levy (Scot Gov 02/12/2025)

Correspondence between Creative Scotland and The Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee regarding independent review report (Scot Parl 02/12/2025)

Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee [Draft] Report (Scot Parl 02/12/2025)

Correspondence between Ivan McKee and The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee and The Economy and Fair Work Committee regarding Visitor Levy Legislation (Scot Parl 02/12/2025)

Correspondence between The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee and Màiri McAllan  regarding cladding remediation programme (Scot Parl 03/12/2025)

Correspondence between Meghan Gallacher and The Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee regarding Desecration of War Memorials (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 03/11/2025)

Correspondence between Màiri McAllan and The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding Scottish Housing Regulator (Scot Parl 04/12/2025)

Cumbernauld New Town (70th Anniversary): Debate on S6M-19607 (Scot Parl 04/12/2025)

DCMS Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy 2026 to 2031 (UK Gov 04/12/2025)

Draft Climate Change Plan: online engagement platform (Scot Gov 05/12/2025)

Report tracking the work of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 2024-25 (Scot Parl 05/12/2025)

Independent Culture Fair Work Task Force Report and Recommendations (Scot Gov 05/12/2025)

National Islands Plan – Draft (Scot Gov 05/12/2025)

Energy Performance Certificates: guide (Scot Gov 08/12/2025)

Planning and Architecture: Publications declutter (Scot Gov 08/12/2025)

Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill – Fourth Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (Scot Parl 08/12/2025)

The general principles of the Building Safety (Wales) Bill and the financial resolution in respect of the Building Safety (Wales) Bill (Welsh Senedd 09/12/2025)

Correspondence between BE-ST and The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding Draft Climate Change Plan (Scot Parl 09/12/2025)

Correspondence between The Chartered Institute of Architectural technologists (CIAT) and The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding Draft Climate Change Plan (Scot Parl 09/12/2025)

Correspondence between The Existing Homes Alliance Scotland and The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding Draft Climate Change Plan (Scot Parl 09/12/2025)

Correspondence between Energy Saving Trust and The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding Draft Climate Change Plan (Scot Parl 09/12/2025)

Public appointment: Members appointed to Skills Development Scotland (Scot Gov 09/12/2025)

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) approved organisation status (Scot Gov 09/12/2025)

Culture Fair Work Taskforce minutes: November 2025 (Scot Gov 10/12/2025)

Culture Fair Work Taskforce minutes: October 2025 (Scot Gov 10/12/2025)

The Optimised Retrofit Programme: Oral Question (Welsh Senedd 10/12/2025)

Stage 1 report on the Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 11/12/2025)

Historical Interim Development Orders Debate (UK Parl 11/12/2025)

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill – Daily list of amendments (Scot Parl 11/12/2025)

Correspondence between The Regulatory Review Group and Màiri McAllan regarding Housing (Scotland) Bill (Scot Gov 11/12/2025)

Correspondence between Nesta Scotland and The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee regarding Draft Climate Change Plan (Scot Parl 11/12/2025)

Business Improvement Districts: Town Centre Renewal –?Question (House of Lords 11/12/2025)

Finance and Public Administration Committee Stage 1 report on the Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill (Scot Parl 11/12/2025)

Planning Obligations and Good Neighbour Agreements (Scot Gov 12/12/2025)

Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill – Daily list of amendments (Scot Parl 12/12/2025)

Funding secures theatre’s future (Scot Gov 12/12/2025)

Planning obligations and good neighbour agreements: guidance (Scot Gov 12/12/2025)

Academic Advisory Panel – Just Transition Plan in land use and agriculture: advisory note (Scot Gov 15/12/2025)

Housing Statistics for Scotland Quarterly Update: New Housebuilding and Affordable Housing Supply to end September 2025 (Scot Gov 16/12/2025)

Local authority total and vacant housing stock, Scotland, March 2025 (Scot Gov 16/12/2025)

Second Homes and Empty Properties in September 2025 (Scot Gov 16/12/2025)

 

Motions

 

Opinion & Comment

Blog: Housing taxes make Budget appearance (CaCHE 02/12/2025)

Public-sector procurement in Scotland is a mess – and architects are paying the price (Building Design 02/12/2025)

‘They rose out of the ground!’: Scotland’s brutalist beauties – in pictures (The Guardian 04/12/2025)

Public realm project named Scotland’s best building (Urban Realm 05/12/2025)

Rural Outer Hebrides home wins RIBA House of the Year 2025 (Dezeen 10/12/2025)

Which Scottish communities are sharing £280m of funding? (BBC News 12/12/2025)

Blog: You can have this Information but it will Cost You £630 (Land Matters 15/12/2025)

Blog: Owners Associations must reflect modern realities (The Broughton Spurtle 16/12/2025)

 

Events

SHBT – Heritage Retrofit: Historic Building Adaption for the Future
Date & Time: Wednesday 14 January 2026; 6-8pm
Location: Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG
Speakers: Chris Morgan, Chartered and ARB registered Architect and Director of John Gilbert Architects in Glasgow and Henrietta Billings, Director of Save Britain’s Heritage. Up the hill from the sea and city are the raw materials from which both its built heritage and wealth are hewn and mined: timber, coal, ore, stone. On the one hand, these materials represent the result of aeons, rather than the mere centuries of history. On the other, they are consumed over ever-decreasing durations, producing waste and degrading the environments they long predate. This session will debate how heritage preservation might engage with this process. It has long been argued that conservation must be a carbon-positive activity, but alternative thinking suggests that sometimes keeping what already exists may not be the most sustainable approach.

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – The Lost Royal Lodgings of Edinburgh Castle and the Birthplace of Britain
Date & Time: Thursday 15 January 2026; 6-8pm
Location: Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL
This talk, The Lost Royal Lodgings of Edinburgh Castle 1093 – 1617, and the Birthplace of Great Britain, is the culmination of an almost 40-year involvement in investigating the history and archaeology of Edinburgh Castle. Most recently this has been within the context of commissioned research from HES in writing a Statement of Significance for the later Palace in Crown Square. The ‘Birthplace’ subtext refers to the Royal Lodging subsumed within the 1617 Palace where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth on 19 June 1566 to the future James VI/ I, and with the Union of the Crowns in 1603 styling himself King of Great Britain and Ireland.

Development Trusts Association Scotland – Finance and Fundraising 2: Other Funding Methods
Date & Time: Thursday 15 January 2026; 11:30am-1pm
Location: Online – Sign up on Eventbrite
Part of the New Futures- Former Places of Worship workshop series. This workshop will focus on funding methods that communities may wish to undertake when bringing a former place of worship into community ownership.

Heritage Network – North UK Mills Group – January meeting
Date & Time: Tuesday 20 January 2026; 10-11:30am
Location: Online
An opportunity for organisations and individuals working with or interested in mill buildings to come together, network, and discuss. Owen Bushell will talk about the development of the social enterprise taking custodianship of the category A listed Bucket Mill in Finzean, Aberdeenshire. Owen will discuss some of the challenges the organisation faces in getting the machinery working again, developing skills training, and working towards producing historic turned buckets once again. Health & Safety considerations, space constraints and conservation (nature, object and building) conundrums will also be touched upon.

AHSS – Chris Bragg: Tensions in visual organ design in the 19th century UK
Date & Time: Thursday 22 January 2026; 7:30pm
Location: St Andrew’s West Church & Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JP
Note: Lecture will also be live-streamed via Zoom
Explore 19th-century UK organ design with Chris Bragg of Sowne of Organe. This lecture examines the Oxford Movement’s influence, evolving aesthetics, decorated pipes, and shifting liturgical demands. Explore how these changes have shaped organ building and continue to influence modern conservation efforts, striking a balance between historical integrity and contemporary performance and architectural contexts. Tickets available from Eventbrite or on the door: £6 / students £2 / season ticket for all 5 lectures: £25.

Development Trusts Association Scotland – Your Building: A Guide
Date & Time: Thursday 22 January 2026; 1-2:30pm
Location: Online – Sign up on Eventbrite
Part of the New Futures – Former Places of Worship workshop series. Former places of worship can present unique challenges in terms of facilities management and require a thoughtful approach to ensure the suitability of the building for its use. This workshop will cover the operational side of repurposing a former place of worship for community use.

IHBC Scotland Branch – Historic Building Legislation & Curtilage in Scotland
Date & Time: Friday 23 January 2026; 10:30am-4:30pm
Location: Sir Walter Scott Hall, Grassmarket Community Project, 86, Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QA
Update your knowledge on historic building legislation and curtilage in Scotland. This event will provide an introduction to heritage planning law and consider the extent of listing including curtilage, with leading expert Dr Charles Mynors. There will also be updates from HES on designations and heritage policy. The event is relevant to those working in the heritage, development, legal and planning sectors.

SHSMG – Promoting Scotland’s Past to Families with Children
Date & Time: Monday 26 January 2026; 3-4pm
Location: Online via Zoom
The Scottish Heritage Social Media Group’s January event features Julie Cumming, Marketing Manager at Dundee Heritage Trust, who has spent over three years attracting families with children to sites like Discovery Point and Verdant Works Museum. Julie will talk about what’s worked and what hasn’t, discuss her strategies for operating with little to no budget, and share her experience when it comes to collaborating with family influencers (including how she reaches out, creates a marketing plan, calculates Return on Investment, and considers the risks). This online event will conclude with a Q&A session.

Landscape Institute – Housing & Regeneration Conference
Date & Time: Thursday 29 January 2026; 8:30am-5pm
Location: Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS
The Scottish Government has set an ambitious housing target of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 as part of its Housing to 2040 Strategy, as a response to the national housing emergency. To explore how this can be achieved, the Landscape Institute (LI) is hosting national conferences across the UK in 2025 and 2026. This event will examine how a Landscape-led approach can support the delivery of Scotland’s housing ambitions while addressing the climate and nature emergencies, promoting wellbeing, and strengthening communities. It will explore how Landscape-led Planning and design can help to implement the Place Principle, support the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), and contribute to the just transition to net zero.
Reserve your place today: Early bird by 31 December 2025

Heritage Network – Heritage Futures Scotland
Date & Time: Friday 30 January 2026; 11am-4pm
Location: Discovery Point, Discovery Quay, Dundee DD1 4XA
A day of learning and networking designed for young people aged 18-30 interested in a career in the heritage sector. Hear from professionals working across the heritage sector, gain practical advice, explore local opportunities, and connect with others who share your interests. Whether you’re into museums, archives, historic buildings, or community heritage, this is your chance to learn more and get involved. This event is part of the UK-wide Heritage Futures series.

SEDA/HES – Stone Futures 4 – Amy Wilson and Geoff Squire: Stone Stories
Date & Time: Monday 2 February 2026; 1-2pm
Location: Online
Across the autumn and winter, Scotland East Region, Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA) and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) are excited to launch a new lunchtime CPD seminar series dedicated to one of the most enduring yet ever evolving materials in our built environment: Stone. From its role in the earliest architecture to its potential in a low carbon future, stone carries its story of resilience, craft and innovation. This series will open up fresh perspectives on how stone can shape tomorrow’s buildings whilst drawing from its rich history. Whether you’re a technologist, architect, designer, engineer or simply curious about the possibilities of this timeless material, these seminars are designed to inform, challenge and inspire. All seminars: 1pm on the first Monday of every month.

2026 SAVE THE DATES 

Europa Nostra – Secretary General Address
Date & Time: Tuesday 17 March 2026; tbc
Location: Edinburgh
Details to follow

STBA – Futurebuild 2026
Date & Time: 3-5 March 2026
Location: Excel, London
Details to follow

European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026
Date & Time: Wednesday 27 to Saturday 30 May 2026
Location: Nicosia, Cyprus
Details to follow

 

Training

Scottish Lime Centre Trust – A Guide to Winter Working with Lime
Date & Time: Wednesday 21 January 2026; 9am-12pm
Location: Charlestown Workshops, 2 Rocks Road, Charlestown, Fife KY11 3EN
Hints, tips and practical advice will help you extend your season working with lime mortars successfully. The reality is that contracting is a 365 days a year business and you don’t have the luxury of picking your weather windows. This half day course is aimed at anyone who works with traditional buildings or structures. The day will consist of a mixture of lecture and practical demonstrations.

The Engine Shed – Historic Bricks and Tiles
Date & Time: Tuesday 10 February 2026; 9:30am-1pm
Location: Hybrid – The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ and Online
Scotland has long been perceived to be a country built of stone. Yet, recent research shows brick and other clay products like terra cotta, faience and tiles have contributed significantly to our historic built environment. These three morning talks will explore how fired earth products have contributed to Scotland’s buildings for centuries and how these materials can be repaired and conserved. The sessions begin with a broad overview of brick clay products, their material characteristics and the development of industrial production in the 19th century, followed by a discussion on how bricks and tiles were used in a range of Scottish buildings, their physical properties and variable abilities to withstand weathering and decay processes. Consideration will be given to the repair process stages, reviewing traditional and current repair, restoration and cleaning techniques, and discussing sustainable sourcing of replacement materials. Cost: £45 for the in person morning learning experience; £30 for virtual attendance.

The Engine Shed – Stone in Scotland: Past, Present and Future
Date & Time: Tuesday 24 February 2026; 9:30am-4pm
Location: Hybrid – The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ and Online
Stone has been used to create Scotland’s historic built environment for thousands of years. These three morning talks will introduce you to the wide range of stone used in Scotland and share current best practice in stone repairs. There will also be a review of innovative methods of identifying and procuring new stone for conservation and newbuild projects. In the afternoon, the speakers will lead a walking tour around Stirling’s Old Town to discuss a wide range of stone conservation issues.A networking lunch will provide you with the opportunity to continue discussions and explore the Engine Shed. Cost: £85 for the in person full day learning experience; £30 for virtual attendance.

 

Vacancies

British School at Rome – Robert Adam Rome Scholarship in Architecture 2026-27
The Robert Adam Rome Scholarship in Architecture offers architects and scholars the opportunity to explore the tradition and evolution of classical architecture in Rome and across Italy, including its relationship to urban form. The scholarship provides a three-month residency at the British School at Rome (BSR), where the award-holder will pursue a self-directed programme of research. This may take many forms — from drawing, measuring, or design studies, to theoretical or historical investigations, or a combination of these approaches — all centred on the tradition and development of classical architecture. The award-holder will have privileged access to the BSR’s renowned Library and Archive, and will join its vibrant community of artists and scholars — benefitting from, and contributing to, the rich intellectual and social exchange that lies at the heart of life at the BSR. At the end of the residency, the scholar will produce a final report or portfolio with the specific aim of informing and inspiring contemporary architectural practice. Applications are welcomed from individuals whose backgrounds are underrepresented at the BSR. The scholarship includes a research and travel grant of £1000 per month; room and board at the BSR for 3 months (Jan-March 2027) and Italian language lessons on site. Applicants must be either UK or Commonwealth nationals, UK-settled residents, or individuals who have been working or studying in the UK for at least the past three years.
Closing Date: Monday 5 January 2026

Fife Historic Buildings Trust – Finance Officer
Salary: £32,000 per annum, pro-rata
Status: Job Share (16-20 hours per week)
Location: Kinghorn Town Hall, Fife (and homeworking)
Fife Historic Buildings Trust (FHBT) are recruiting a charity finance professional.
This is a job share role coordinating the financial activities of FHBT. Sound financial control underpins all the great work they do, and this is an opportunity to bring your experience to join a welcoming and high achieving team, and play your part in their work for people and historic places in Fife. FHBT are an independent charitable Buildings Preservation Trust formed in 1997. Their mission is to create viable futures for heritage buildings and their communities by inspiring and enabling visionary conservation projects.  Fife has a particularly rich and varied heritage with over 6,200 listed buildings and 48 conservation areas. They have helped deliver over £50m in historic environment regeneration projects in Fife, supporting town centres, businesses, tourism and local communities. Download the job description, including details of how to apply to join this fantastic team: Opportunities – Fife Historic Buildings Trust
Closing Date: 5pm on Monday 12 January 2026

BEFS – Net Zero Lead
Salary: £38,000 FTE
Status: 30hrs per week (4 days); permanent – subject to organisational funding
Location: The job is home-working based – the team all currently live in or within a relatively easy commute to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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. This role 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.

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. 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. Apply here.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Hazel Johnson: hjohnson@befs.org.uk

Closing Date: Saturday 31 January 2026

Planning Aid Scotland – Opportunities for chartered planners
Becoming chartered is a significant professional milestone, signalling competence and a commitment to public service. Planning Aid Scotland, the national charity working to widen access to planning, offers newly chartered planners a way to put these values into practice through its national planning Advice Service. Volunteers support members of the public with a wide range of planning questions, gaining direct experience that is often hard to find in day-to-day roles. The opportunity is flexible and open to all chartered planners. In return, volunteers receive professional training, access to a video archive, and ongoing support.
Get in touch to find out more at volunteer@pas.org.uk
Closing Date: Not applicable

Planning Democracy – Trustees
Planning Democracy are looking for new trustees to join their board. They are particularly interested in recruiting trustees who have skills in the following areas:

• Governance

• Communications (social media, online resources, website management)

However, they are also keen to hear from anyone who feels that Planning Democracy is an organisation they are interested in getting involved with. In return they are offering training opportunities, learning opportunities, experience in campaigning and advocacy, the opportunity to travel in Scotland and meet new people, as well as being part of a committed group of people.

If you are interested, contact Chair, Helen Todd on info@planningdemocracy.org.uk and they can then send you an application form and/or have a chat.
Closing Date: Not specified

War Memorials Trust – Trustees 
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.
Closing Date: Not specified

SHBT – St Ninian’s Manse
Location: Quayside Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6EJ
Size: 2,889 sq ft
Availability:March 2026
Tenure: Available as single tenancy or individual floors
With origins dating back to 1493, St Ninian’s Manse is thought to be the oldest building in Leith and is topped by Edinburgh’s sole surviving 17th century timber steeple. It formed part of the original entrance to St Ninian’s Chapel, which was mostly demolished during the 19th century when the site was converted to industrial use as a mill. From 1996 to 2002, SHBT restored both St Ninian’s Manse and the adjacent Quayside Mills, creating desirable waterfront office space whilst also preserving an important historic structure and a key part of Leith’s history. The manse now offers four floors of adaptable office space with period character, modern amenities, and five dedicated parking spaces. Brochure
Enquiries:info@shbt.org.uk

 

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