BEFS Bulletin 398 – Under Construction: Challenges & Considerations for the new Scottish Government

Publications

Pathways to Productivity (BE-ST March 2026)

Scottish Planner Issue 204: Scotland’s Rural Future (RTPI Scotland May 2026)

Urban retrofit in Canadian cities: The adaptive reuse of offices into housing as a dual response to housing affordability and the climate crisis (Urban Retrofit 06/05/2026)

Governing multi-occupancy buildings: learning from the international evidence base (CaCHE 14/05/2026)

Leaking church roofs to be fixed and heritage buildings revitalised as applications open for £48 million of heritage funding (UK Gov 20/05/2026)

Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report Update (UK Parl 20/05/2026)

Scottish Ministers Appointed (Scot Gov 20/05/2026)

Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (stained glass): written question (UK Parl 21/05/2026)

Opinion & Comment

For further listings, please see BEFS events calendar

Reviving the Trinity Stones – Exhibition
Dates & Times: Saturday 9 May – Sunday 28 June 2026; 10am-5pm
Location: Museum of Edinburgh, 142-146 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD
Medieval Edinburgh’s Forgotten Royal Masterpiece. This exhibition tells the story of the Trinity Collegiate Church, medieval Edinburgh’s forgotten royal masterpiece. Founded over 560 years ago, by Queen Mary of Guelders, the church was the most sophisticated and beautiful example of gothic architecture in Scotland. Discover how it was celebrated, demolished, forgotten and revived. Located on the ground floor with no booking required.

GCHT – From Well to Wellspring
Dates & Times: Saturday 30 May until Friday 18 September 2026; 11am-5pm
Location: Glasgow City Heritage Trust, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1LQ
In October 2025 the Glasgow collective Aproxima Arts, in collaboration with Professor Stephen Driscoll (Glasgow University) and David Sneddon (Clyde Archaeology), excavated the thirteenth-century St Mungo’s Well in Glasgow Cathedral. This was part of the five-year ‘Glasgow Requiem’ project aimed at exploring artistic connections to Glasgow’s medieval and pre-industrial history. Following excavation, Aproxima and artist Joanna Kessel installed a coloured glass mosaic designed by James Johnson on the Well’s interior. This exhibition, hosted by Glasgow City Heritage Trust, will cover the history of the well and showcase artefacts, such as dice, coins, and rings, unearthed during the excavation. Open weekly every Wednesday & Friday until end date.

New Future – The People’s Emergency Briefing: Glasgow and the Built Environment & Panel Discussion
Date & Time: Monday 1 June 2026; 6pm
Location: Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow G3 6RB
New Future, in partnership with Glasgow Film Theatre, Atelier Ten, Architecture Fringe and Architects Declare, present this post-election public screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing, followed by facilitated discussion with local councillors, newly-elected MSPs, and representatives from Scotland’s built environment sector. In November 2025, more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media gathered at Westminster Central Hall for a landmark national briefing delivered by leading UK experts. That briefing has now been adapted into a new public film, The People’s Emergency Briefing, designed for community screenings across the UK followed by structured local discussion. This post-election screening and panel discussion will be open to all, but with a specific focus on the implications for our built environment sector.

Under One Roof – Introduction to Tenement Maintenance
Date & Time: Tuesday 2 June 2026;12-1pm
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams
Together with conservation experts at Mill Architects and Edinburgh World Heritage, Under One Roof will explore the importance of maintaining tenement buildings and the unique repair issues historic tenements can face, and share our knowledge of how to work with neighbours to organise and pay for repairs in the shared, or ‘common,’ areas of your building. Edinburgh World Heritage will also explain how they can support tenement property owners during the repairs process with funding guidance and opportunities.

DTAS – New Futures Drop In: Fundraising
Date & Time: Tuesday 2 June 2026; 12-1:30pm
Location: Online
Part of the New Futures: Former Places of Worship workshop series. This event will provide a chance for community organisations looking to take ownership of a former place of worship to share their experiences of fundraising and learn about examples of different fundraising methods.

Chartered Institute for Archaeologists – Strategic Leadership Summit
Date & Time: Wednesday 3 June 2026; 9am–5pm
Location: The Kings Centre, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0ES
CIfA will hold its first Strategic Leadership Summit with the aim of bringing together leaders from across the profession to discuss some of the biggest issues facing archaeology today. The summit’s theme will be Strategic Approaches to Archaeology, and contributors will reflect on the UK’s major strategic vehicles for advancing the archaeological profession’s practices and delivering benefit. The ticket price includes lunch and free access to the post event recordings.

SURF – 2026 Awards Launch
Date & Time: Thursday 4 June 2026; 1-1:45pm
Location: Online
At this event you will hear more about the 2026 SURF Awards process and the 5 Award categories. Attendees will hear from former SURF Award Winners with their top tips for a successful application. If you have ever considered entering (or re-entering) the Awards or want to know more about this year’s process and what is involved, or to hear directly from projects who have gone through the process, then this event is definitely for you.

Under One Roof – Managing common repairs: East Lothian Council
Date & Time: Tuesday 9 June 2026; 12-1pm
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams
Do you own a flat in East Lothian? Join this free lunchtime webinar! Learn about the proper procedure for managing common repairs in tenement building, with discussions about how to understand your titles and responsibilities, and how to work with your neighbours to organise and pay for repairs together. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, where you can ask an expert speaker about your own repair issues.

European Heritage Hub – Cultural heritage as a resource for energy-efficient and inclusive renovation & affordable housing policies
Date & Time: Thursday 11 June 2006; 9am-12pm
Location: Online
The European Heritage Hub are hosting an event in Brussels (also via livestream) during the Festival of the New European Bauhaus, exploring how heritage-led approaches contribute to sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion during a time when climate, energy and housing crises are converging. It will bring together EU institutions, local and regional authorities, civil society organisations, architects, heritage professionals, financial actors and practitioners to examine how heritage-led approaches can contribute to the transformation of Europe’s built environment in the context of climate, energy and housing challenges.

Heritage Network – North UK Mills June Meeting
Date & Time: Thursday 11 June 2026; 10-11:30am
Location: Online
The North UK Mills Group aims to connect and support people and organisations who preserve historic mills, millwrighting skills and milling culture for future generations. Join online for this talk by Graham Brooks, Chair of Warwick Bridge Community Benefit Society in Carlisle, as he asks, ‘Can a watermill be operated profitably?’ Graham will outline the history of Warwick Bridge, including its renovation in 2019 and the setting up of the Community Benefit Society, before diving into the challenges it has faced over the last six years and plans for moving forward in 2026 and beyond.

Under One Roof – Managing Common Repairs: Inverclyde Council
Date & Time: Tuesday 16 June 2026; 12-1pm
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams
If you are an owner-occupier or a landlord in Inverclyde, join this free lunchtime webinar with Inverclyde Council, on managing common repairs. Under One Roof will be sharing expertise on how to identify problems in your tenement building, and explaining how to work with your neighbours to fix them. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with the Education and Training Officer, where you will have the chance to ask questions about your own tenement building.

Under One Roof – Damp and mould in tenement flats: East Lothian Council
Date & Time: Thursday 18 June 2026;12-1pm
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams
Awaab’s Law is coming to Scotland, changing the way that social and private landlords deal with damp and mould in their flats. If you are a landlord in East Lothian, find out how you can tackle the problem of damp and mould at this free lunchtime webinar. Learn about updates to legislation, and expert information on how to deal with damp and mould in common areas of your building. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A, where you will have the chance to ask an expert about your own damp and mould issues.

Historic England – Digital Emissions – should heritage organisations worry about them, and how can we lower them?
Date & Time: Thursday 18 June 2026; 1-2pm
Location: Online
In this webinar, Claire Marchetti, Carbon and Sustainability Manager for Historic England will discuss how the organisation is addressing the environmental impact of its digital activity. The webinar will look at the challenges identified, the technical changes underway, how to use procurement to support ambitions, and how staff are engaged in reducing digital emissions. There will also be a look at practical steps heritage organisations can take to reduce their digital carbon footprint while embracing the benefits digital ways of working offer, helping the sector move toward a more sustainable, low carbon future.

AHF – 50th Conference: Heritage – Radical. Reimagined. Revitalised.
Date & Time: Thursday 18 June 2026; 2-8pm
Location: St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE
The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is celebrating 50 years of transforming historic buildings and supporting communities across the UK. Join real estate professionals, heritage practitioners, social enterprise developers, policymakers, funders, and researchers as together they consider the potential for heritage-led regeneration to improve our communities in the next 50 years and beyond. This afternoon and evening event will bring together diverse voices and approaches to consider how heritage can help transform local communities and economies, shining light on proven models from around the UK and exploring policy changes that could supercharge adaptive reuse in the UK.

IHBC – Annual School 2026 Newcastle I Adaptive Reuse
Date & Time: Thursday 18 – Saturday 20 June 2026
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne (In Person and Online)
The IHBC Annual School in Newcastle explores the theme of Adaptive Reuse through inspiring tours, expert talks, and networking opportunities across this 3-day programme, starting on Thursday with CPD Study Tours of iconic sites including the Byker Wall and Ouseburn, followed by a Welcome Reception at the Baltic Centre. Friday’s Day School, available in-person or online features specialist speakers at the Grade II* listed Common Room, and an Exhibitor Hub. The weekend concludes with the Annual Dinner and Awards at the Royal Station Hotel, followed by study tours on the Saturday for Full School delegates.

Behind the Restoration – Meet the Architect & Engineer
Date & Time: Friday 19 June 2026; 9:30am-4pm
Location: Bannockburn House, Stirling FK7 8EY
This is a unique opportunity to step inside one of Scotland’s most ambitious community-led conservation projects and meet the professionals helping to save Bannockburn House. Throughout the day, guests will hear from the conservation architect, conservation structural engineer, and other specialists involved in the project. Each will share how they have approached the challenges of working with a fragile Category A listed building, the decisions that shape emergency conservation work, and what it is like to build a career in heritage, architecture, engineering, and traditional skills. The event is designed to be informal, engaging, and practical, with plenty of time for conversation, questions, and networking over coffee. Guests will also enjoy a guided Heritage Conservation Tour of Bannockburn House, exploring the building, its current condition, and the emergency works now underway. The tour will highlight how conservation professionals, volunteers, funders, and the wider community are working together to protect the house and bring its stories back to life. Courtesy of Stirling City Heritage Trust, the day will also include live traditional skills demonstrations, including stonemasonry and roofing, giving guests the chance to see conservation trades in action and understand the specialist craft skills needed to care for historic buildings.

DTAS – New Futures Workshop: Listed Building Consent
Date & Time: Tuesday 23 June 2026; 1-2:30pm
Location: Online
Part of the New Futures: Former Places of Worship workshop series. This workshop will clarify the situations were Listed Building Consent may be required and will provide an overview of the application process, specifically relevant to community organisations looking to take a former place of worship into community ownership.

Under One Roof – Navigating common repairs in tenement: Aberdeenshire Council
Date & Time: Tuesday 23 June 2026; 12-1pm
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams
If you own a flat in Aberdeenshire, and don’t know where to start with repairs and maintenance, join this free lunchtime webinar with Aberdeenshire Council, on managing common repairs. Under One Roof will be sharing expertise on how to identify problems in your tenement building, and explaining how to work with your neighbours to fix them. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with the Education and Training Officer, where you will have the chance to ask questions about your own tenement building.

Heritage Network – Sustainable Island Heritage
Date & Time: Friday 26 June 2026; 10am-4pm
Location: The St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
Join the Heritage Network in Kirkwall for an inspiring gathering bringing together community groups, heritage professionals, and local changemakers from across the Orkney Islands. An ideal opportunity for networking, the day will celebrate the incredible work happening across the region —showcasing innovative heritage projects, grassroots initiatives, and collaborative efforts that are preserving, sharing and reimagining Orkney’s rich cultural story. Confirmed speakers include Heritage Network members, Boloquoy Victorian Farm & Watermill, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, who last year announced Orkney as the second place in Scotland to benefit from its ‘Heritage Place’ investment initiative.

Under One Roof – Understanding mandatory owners’ associations: East Lothian Council
Date & Time: Thursday 2 July 2026; 12-1pm
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams
Working together with your neighbours to take care of your building can be challenging, but being part of an owners’ association can make the process much easier. At this free lunchtime webinar, learn about the benefits of joining an owners’ association, with expert advice on how to set one up in your own building, and explanation about the proposed changes to the law to introduce mandatory owners’ associations. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, where you will have the chance to ask an expert speaker your own questions about owners’ associations.

DTAS – New Futures Drop In: Involving Your Community
Date & Time: Thursday 2 July 2026; 1-2:30pm
Location: Online
Part of the New Futures: Former Places of Worship workshop series. This event will provide a chance for community organisations looking to take ownership of a former place of worship to share their experiences of getting their community involved. The Churches Advisors of the New Futures: Former Places of Worship programme will share top tips on how to ensure meaningful community engagement.

SPAB – Maintaining Scotland’s Historic Places of Worship
Date & Time:  Friday 10 July 2026; 9:30am-3:30pm
Location: Rhu & Shandon Parish Church, Gareloch Road, Helensburgh G84 8RP
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. This series of one-day courses, supported by Historic Environment Scotland, will explore the practical steps you can take to look after your building. All dates and locations can be found here

Save the date/Early booking open now/Applications invited

Edinburgh World Heritage – Head of Advocacy and Communications
Salary: £42,299 per annum
Status: Full-time
Location: Edinburgh
Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) is seeking an enthusiastic, insightful and forward-thinking individual to become their new Head of Advocacy and Communications. EWH is an independent charitable company. Working alongside City of Edinburgh Council and Historic Environment Scotland, they  are charged with looking after Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site; advising the City of Edinburgh Council on the impact of change on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the World Heritage Site. This relates to both the requirements of the World Heritage Convention and local plan policy ENV1. The Head of Advocacy and Communications will be responsible for the way they communicate the work and values of their organisation, and the importance of Edinburgh as a World Heritage Site.
Maximising the impact of their reputation, profile and engagement and articulating the social, economic and environment values that inscription brings to the city are key objectives of the role.
For further information and job description, please email Director@ewht.org.uk.
Closing Date: Friday 12 June 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

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.
Enquiries: info@shbt.org.uk

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