BEFS Bulletin – Bumper Edition of Parliamentary News, Publications and Events

BEFS NEWS

Historic Environment Scotland published its Annual Operating Plan 2023-24 setting out priorities for the coming year to support economic recovery, tackle ongoing challenges brought by COVID-19 and climate change, and to deliver real public benefit. The focus for the 2023-25 period will include Wellbeing; Inequality and access; Managing Heritage Assets (including High-Level Masonry, Properties In Care Strategy); A stronger, fairer, greener economy; Sector recovery and Net Zero.

The Scotland + Venice Partnership is gearing up for the 18th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2023 in Venice, Italy. The A Fragile Correspondence exhibition investigates how a closer relationship between land and language can help architecture be more attuned to the environment in which it operates. The exhibition explores alternative perspectives and new approaches to the challenges of the worldwide climate emergency as well as highlighting cultures and languages that have a close affinity with the landscapes of Scotland. This short film reflects on the exhibition’s themes, introducing the contributing cultural heritages and locations across Scotland.

Scotland’s Churches Trust welcomed the news from the Church of Scotland General Trustees that they are introducing a new internal category of “Historic Signature Churches” into their portfolio, which might see some further safeguarding of notable churches that would otherwise have likely been subject to disposal.

BEFS welcomes the appointment of six new Honorary Fellows to the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS); honoured in recognition of their significant contribution to Scotland’s cultural, academic, business or political life. The new RIAS Honorary Fellows are: Sue Evans MBE FLI, Dr Will Maclean MBE RSA RSE, Sir Geoff Palmer, Dame Seona Reid FRSE, Steve Evans & Gail Evans.

The long awaited Scottish Household Survey (SHS) 2021 has been published.
The key findings report, and accompanying data tables cover a range of topics: housing, neighbourhoods and communities, environment, volunteering, culture and heritage; noting the trust placed in applicable institutions. Highlights of the findings have been released with the caveat that whilst the 2020 and 2021 survey results are not comparable to 2019 or earlier, the 2021 survey will be broadly comparable to 2020.

The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee (LGHP) has been convened to consider evidence on Damp and Mould in Social and Private Rented Housing. Evidence already provided by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Shelter Scotland highlights the extent of the issues caused by damp and mould, stressing the need for legislation on a new common housing standard to be prioritised.

And finally, Vernacular architecture and buildings have always employed traditional construction techniques and craft skills, using local, natural materials. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is looking to recruit a Vernacular Building Craft Fellow to learn and use traditional building construction by sourcing natural materials and building using traditional construction methods, working with The Scottish Crannog Centre team to support the building of a new Crannog and ‘Iron Age Village’.

 

NEWS RELEASES

European Heritage Hub and European Data Space for Heritage discussed at Alliance 2023 Spring meeting in Brussels (Europa Nostra 21/03/2023)

£3.5 million boost for Scotland’s historic environment (HES 24/04/2023)
National Trust for Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Scottish Civic Trust amongst those receiving funding from Historic Environment Scotland

Visitor numbers to Cadw sites on track to full recovery post-Covid (Welsh Gov 24/04/2023)

Society Grants Add Colour to Scotland’s Past (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 25/04/2023)

Enriching Scotland’s architecture scene: RIAS names six new Honorary Fellows (RIAS 26/04/2023)

Future of Scotland’s first National Park up for discussion as consultation gets underway (Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park 26/04/2023)

Climate action hubs: apply to set one up (Scot Gov 26/04/2023)
A national network of climate action hubs is being set up to support communities to take forward climate action in their areas.

Now open: areas of Caernarfon Castle that have not been accessed for centuries, thanks to £5 million investment (Welsh Gov 26/04/2023)

Funding Success for Society Projects! (Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 27/04/2023)

 

OPINION & COMMENT

How cartographers of the early Ordnance Survey mapped the length and breadth of Britain, capturing elements of the cultural heritage (The Economist 06/04/2023)

UK insulation scheme would take 300 years to meet government targets, say critics (The Guardian 09/04/2023)

Museums and Chill – How Architecture Shapes The Museum Experience – podcast (ICOM 14/04/2023)

Scotland’s move toward a Passivhaus standard (E&T 14/04/2023)

A Fragile Correspondence – Scotland + Venice (A&DS 14/04/2023)

Retrofit mustn’t ignore the tragic health impacts of damp and mould (Architects’ Journal 19/04/2023)

Future of heritage sector comes under the spotlight in Inverness (The Press & Journal 20/04/2023)

Heat Pumps in the UK – State of the Conversation (CaCHE 21/04/2023)

Spotlight on traditional building skills (DnG24 21/04/2023)

Climate crisis poses risk to Scotland’s World Heritage site (The Herald 23/04/2023)

Designing for people’s lives (A&DS 25/04/2023)

Charles Rennie Mackintosh heritage leader’s concern over buildings (Glasgow Times 28/04/2023)

Bid to force purchase of empty properties for Scotland’s homeless (The Herald 02/05/2023)

Black’s Blog: A new minister… a new beginning? (Scottish Housing News 03/05/2023)

 

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Questions marked with a triangle (?) are initiated by the Scottish Government to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament. Questions in which a member has indicated a declarable interest are marked with an “R”.

Debate on VAT: Building Repairs and Maintenance (Retro-fitting)
UK Parliament – Lords Chamber
Date: 19 April 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 05/04/2023
S6W-15640
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider introducing an equal right of appeal in the planning system.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 April 2023

Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/04/2023
S6W-16777
To ask the Scottish Government what specific steps it is taking to address the reported long-term decline in the number of local authority-employed planners, in light of such planners having a significant role in delivering the ambitions of the new National Planning Framework.
S6W-16778
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce planning apprenticeships, and, if so, when.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 April 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/04/2023
S6W-16871
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to the question S6W-12216 by Neil Gray on 24 November 2022, whether the National Partnership for Culture will continue to exist, following its meeting on 14 December 2022, and, if so, when it will next meet.
S6W-16874
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its work to “carry out cross-portfolio engagement to scope where culture may be able to link into the Place Standard tool”, as outlined in its response to the National Partnership for Culture recommendations.
Current Status: Answered by Angus Robertson on 20 April 2023

Evelyn Tweed, Stirling, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 20/04/2023
S6W-17459
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on when an updated version of the revised Planning with People: Community engagement and participation guidance will be published.
Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 21 April 2023

Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 06/04/2023
S6W-16889
To ask the Scottish Government what additional support will be made available to support the construction of social housing when the Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard is introduced.
Current Status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 24 April 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 06/04/2023
S6W-16870 R
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-09920 by Mairi Gougeon on 18 August 2022, whether it will provide an update on how much funding (a) it allocated to and (b) was distributed to successful grant applicants from the Croft House Grant scheme in 2022-23.
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 25 April 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 17/04/2023
S6W-17083
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in providing the powers to local authorities to introduce a Transient Visitor Levy.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 25 April 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 18/04/2023
S6W-17137
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects (a) Kisimul Castle, (b) the Bonawe Historic Iron Furnace and (c) Kilchurn Castle to reopen to the public.
Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 25 April 2023

Sue Webber, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 19/04/2023
S6O-02138
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Historic Environment Scotland sites that remain closed.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 26 April 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 18/04/2023
S6W-17028
To ask the Scottish Government what its most recent assessment is of the allocation of resources to Community Planning Partnerships in each local authority area.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 26 April 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/04/2023
S6W-17261
To ask the Scottish Government whether the consequences of climate change were factored into the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 26 April 2023

Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/04/2023
S6W-16779
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will clarify what role local authorities will play in an area-based approach to heat decarbonisation, and what additional support it will offer to local authorities for the preparation and delivery of their Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies.
S6W-16781
To ask the Scottish Government when it will communicate to the public its ambition for homes to aim to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least C from 2025.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 27 April 2023

Foysol Choudhury, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 06/04/2023
S6W-16420
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to ensure that only accredited contractors carry out masonry repairs.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 27 April 2023

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 12/04/2023
S6W-16994
To ask the Scottish Government when property valuation will next be reviewed for the setting of (a) domestic and (b) non-domestic rates.
Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 27 April 2023

Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/04/2023
S6W-16773
To ask the Scottish Government when it will provide a comprehensive roadmap for the delivery of net zero in key areas, as set out in the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee report, The role of local government and its cross-sectoral partners in financing and delivering a net-zero Scotland.
S6W-16774
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to establish a local government-facing climate intelligence unit to provide specialist help to local authorities in areas where there may be a lack of in-depth specialist knowledge, and, if so, when such a unit will be established.
S6W-16775
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to ensure that there are larger, fewer and more flexible challenge fund streams for net zero-related projects at a local level that are better configured to support a holistic and place-based response to climate change.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 April 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 17/04/2023
S6W-17075
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-13155 by Patrick Harvie on 10 January 2023, whether it will bring forward its proposed Housing Bill prior to the summer parliamentary recess.
Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 28 April 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/04/2023
S6W-17276
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on preparing detailed sectoral transition plans.
Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 28 April 2023

Foysol Choudhury, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 06/04/2023
S6W-16419
To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to mitigate the dangers of falling masonry, in light of recent occurrences of high winds.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 2 May 2023

Miles Briggs, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 13/04/2023
S6W-17023
To ask the Scottish Government, regarding the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme, what plans it has to review the definition of “long-term vacant”, which is currently 15 years for derelict properties and land.
Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 2 May 2023

Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 18/04/2023
S6W-17154
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on how many homes have been returned to use with support from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership since 2022, and whether it can provide a breakdown of the information by local authority area.
Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 2 May 2023

Paul Sweeney, Glasgow, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 18/04/2023
S6W-17168
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that the Scottish Training Federation has warned that thousands of young people across Scotland have been “left in limbo” as no new modern apprenticeships will be available “for the foreseeable future”, as a result of delays in Scottish Government funding to Skills Development Scotland, which is reportedly resulting in employers putting their recruitment plans on hold, and training providers looking at laying off staff due to the shortage of work.
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 2 May 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/04/2023
S6W-17256
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to identify the skills needed in the construction sector to reach net zero targets on a geographical basis.
S6W-17260
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on identifying the skills required in sectors of the economy that are key to achieving net zero.
Current status: Answered by Lorna Slater on 2 May 2023

Sharon Dowey, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
S6M-07369
Date lodged: 06/01/2023
Impact of long-term, historical closures of sites managed by Historic Environment Scotland
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on 3 May 2023

Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 05/04/2023
S6W-16780
To ask the Scottish Government how the new National Public Energy Agency will work with local government on area-based delivery.
Current status: Answer expected on 4 May 2023

Liam McArthur, Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Date lodged: 06/04/2023
S6W-16888
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to enhance the financial support available to (a) individual developers and (b) community groups for Rural and Islands Housing Fund projects, in the event that the introduction of a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard adds additional costs to construction in rural and island areas.
Current status: Answer expected on 5 May 2023

Meghan Gallacher, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 12/04/2023
S6W-16397
To ask the Scottish Government what the impact on training providers has been of the reported apprenticeship freeze in early 2023.
S6W-16400
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to implement the 14 recommendations from the report, Impact of Scotland’s Developing Young Workforce Strategy on Employer Engagement, and, if so, whether it will provide a timescale for the implementation
Current status: Answers expected on 12 May 2023

Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 14/04/2023
S6W-17035
To ask the Scottish Government on what date it anticipates publishing its response to the results of the Scottish Highly Protected Marine Areas public consultation, after it closes on 17 April 2023.
Current status: Answer expected on 16 May 2023

Sarah Boyack, Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 19/04/2023
S6W-17254
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any green skills gap in each local authority area.
S6W-17255
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to identify the skills needed in the energy sector to reach net zero targets on a geographical basis.
S6W-17268
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on its aim for at least 124,000 homes to have low-carbon heating systems installed by 2026.
S6W-17269
To ask the Scottish Government, as of 13 April 2023, how many homes have low-carbon heating systems installed.
S6W-17277
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent ministerial appointments, what the membership is of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the Climate Emergency.
Current status: Answers expected on 4 May 2023

Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: 20/04/2023
S6W-17301
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to bring derelict and empty homes in rural and island communities back into habitable use.
Current status: Answer expected on 5 May 2023

Liam Kerr, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 27/04/2023
S6W-17174
To ask the Scottish Government what the average award per property has been for funding awarded from the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund, since the fund was established.
Current status: Answer expected on 15 May 2023

Mark Griffin, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 27/04/2023
S6W-16522
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its response to Freedom of Information request FOI/ 202200321870, what its response was to the recommendation contained in the Gateway Review documents that a “portfolio approach” to cladding remediation is required.
Current status: Answer expected on 15 May 2023

Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: 28/04/2023
S6W-17467
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is planning any future engagement with churches regarding the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land) Regulations 2021.
S6W-17468
To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with churches, regarding the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land) Regulations 2021, since 1 January 2023.
Current status: Answer expected on 16 May 2023

Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: 02/05/2023
S6W-17601
To ask the Scottish Government what proportion of Historic Environment Scotland sites are not equipped with CCTV, and whether it will provide a list of any such sites.
Current status: Answer expected on 17 May 2023

 

EVENTS

For further listings, please see our events calendar.

Glasgow City Heritage Trust – The Knight Map of Glasgow: Tracing the Transformation
Date & Time: Saturday 6 – Sunday 14 May 2023; 11am-5pm daily
Location: New Glasgow Society, 1307 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8TL
This exhibition will showcase GCHT’s new map by artist Will Knight, alongside the 1864 Sulman map of the city. Viewers will be able to explore how the city has changed in the last 150 years and ponder what will happen in the future, as well as have the opportunity to see the incredible detail of the map whilst learning about how it was created.

Historic Environment Scotland – Equalities Sessions: Apprenticeships in Scotland
Date & Time: Wednesday 10 May 2023; 12-1pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Join HES and Skills Development Scotland to learn about the Apprenticeship family in Scotland, highlighting the differences in the apprenticeships on offer, the benefits of each and how they are funded. This session will cover Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships, the benefits to the company and school pupils of a Foundation Apprenticeship, steps to be taken to look at introducing an apprentice to the business or using the apprenticeship schemes to upskill existing staff.

RSA Fellows’ MCICH Network: Built and Landscape Heritage – Terminology and Public Engagement
Date & Time: Thursday 11 May 2023; 6-7:30pm
Location: Online via Zoom
RSA Fellows and guests of any discipline or location across the public, private and third sectors, are invited to register for this event, one in a series of online discussions within the overall theme of “Heritage: Challenges, Opportunities and Solutions”, the subject of a future conference. Discussion will begin with brief perspectives from panel members followed by Q&A with the audience.

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – “Reapproaching Celts”
Date & Time: Thursday 11 May 2023; 6-7pm
Location: Hybrid format (in-person at Augustine United Church and livestreamed via Zoom)
Presented by Dr Rachel Pope FSAScot. The lecture will discuss newly published work by the author that provides an enhanced framework for our understanding of the European Iron Age on the Continent, via the development of new contextual method that works to combine archaeology (primarily status burial data) with Classical textual references, whilst also focusing on the distinctly regional nature of Iron Age social organisation.

Under One Roof Scotland – Maintenance and retrofit for tenement owners with West Lothian Council
Date & Time: Monday 15 May 2023; 12-2pm
Location: Howden Park Centre, Howden, Livingston EH54 6AE
Come along to a free and informative event hosted by Under One Roof and West Lothian Council, aimed at owner-occupiers and landlords who want to learn more about maintaining and managing their tenement flats. Topics covered will include: the basics of tenement maintenance; knowing your neighbours and how to find them; the issues with patch repairs; the importance of building insurance and tips for self-factoring your building. Additionally, there will be discussion on energy efficiency and retrofit, as well as changes to government regulations affecting owner-occupiers and landlords.

SURF – Exploring place-based regeneration initiatives: SURF Awards Shared Learning Workshop
Date & Time: Thursday 18 May 2023; 10am-1pm
Location: Clyde Community Hall, 41 Whitefield Road, Govan, G51 2YB
An opportunity to explore successful current approaches towards regenerating Scotland’s places with two winning projects from the ‘Improving Scotland’s Places’ category winner Living Alloa and ‘Community Led Regeneration’ category winner Bressay Development Ltd – Speldiburn highlighted in the 2022 SURF Awards process.

Under One Roof Scotland – Maintenance and retrofit for tenement owners with Perth & Kinross Council
Date & Time: Monday 22 May 2023; 3-5pm
Location: Civic House, 2 High Street, Perth, PH1 5PH
Come along to a free and informative event hosted by Under One Roof and Perth & Kinross Council, aimed at owner-occupiers and landlords who want to learn more about maintaining and managing their tenement flats. Topics covered will include: the basics of tenement maintenance; knowing your neighbours and how to find them; the issues with patch repairs; the importance of building insurance and tips for self-factoring your building. There will be discussion on energy efficiency and retrofit, as well as changes to government regulations affecting owner-occupiers and landlords.

RTPI – South East Scotland Chapter Annual Pub Quiz
Date & Time: Wednesday 24 May 2023; 6-10pm
Location: Frankenstein’s Bier Kellar, 26 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EN
The RTPI Annual Pub Quiz is back and the prestigious SES Chapter Pub Quiz Champions Trophy is up for grabs once more! Teams will be up to six people, and people without a team can be matched up. Thanks to Geddes Consulting for sponsoring the event with a bar tab and food. Book now!

SURF – Taking creative approaches to regenerate communities: SURF Awards Shared Learning Workshop
Date & Time: Thursday 25 May 2023; 10am-1pm
Location: Kinning Park Complex, Glasgow
This free SURF Awards workshop event provides an opportunity to explore successful approaches towards linking creative arts and culture into regeneration initiatives. The winning and highly commended projects from the ‘Creative Regeneration’ category highlighted in the 2022 SURF Awards process will provide commentary on their experiences and transferable learning.

Society of Antiquaries of Scotland – Archaeological Research in Progress Conference 2023
Date & Time: Saturday 27 May 2023; 9am–5:30pm
Location: Hybrid format (in-person at Augustine United Church and livestreamed via Zoom)
For this year’s ARP conference, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Archaeology Scotland are proud to present 12 talks covering exciting new research and best practice in archaeology from across Scotland. With special thanks to sponsor of the event: Forestry and Land Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, GUARD Archaeology Ltd, Association of Local Government Archaeology Officers, and the Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers.

SPAB – Scotland Finzean Watermills Working Party
Date & Time: Wednesday 7–Sunday 11 June 2023
Location: Finzean Watermill, Banchory AB31 6PP
The 2023 SPAB Scotland Working Party will once more be in Finzean, Aberdeenshire, and will have a carpentry theme this year; with thanks to Historic Environment Scotland for the funds to support this work. Work will be done for three full days (8, 9, 10 June) before the site closes on Sunday 11 June. There will be a celebration ceilidh on the final Saturday evening – an event not to be missed!
To book and for more information.

IHBC Annual School 2023: Swansea – Climate Change and the Historic Environment – Resilience and Performance
Date & Time: Wednesday 21 – Saturday 24 June 2023
Location: Swansea and Online
Heritage insights for everyone with a range of different school formats to appeal to anyone with an interest in heritage, culture and conservation. The school offers an opportunity to understand and interrogate new approaches to coping with climate change challenges, including: complying with standards, energy management, retrofit, fuel poverty and traditional buildings, meeting energy targets and protecting buildings. Book your place now!

 

TRAINING

Birse Community Trust – Two-day Lime Pointing Course
Date & Time: Thursday 18 & Friday 19 May 2023; 9am-4pm
Location: Finzean Old School (Aberdeenshire)
This two-day lime mortar workshop, aimed at beginners, will provide you with the practical skills and confidence to carry out your own mortar repointing works as part of repairs or more extensive renovation projects to traditional masonry structures and buildings. Led by tutor Andy Newcombe, a time served stone mason with 20 years’ experience working with and repairing traditional buildings.
Cost: £60 for the two days for BCT members / £80 for non-members Booking essential via BCT Office.

Birse Community Trust – Lime Pointing Taster Day
Date & Time: Saturday 20 May 2023; over two sessions – either 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm
Location: Finzean Old School (Aberdeenshire)
This course, aimed at beginners, will provide a taste of the practical skills required to carry out your own repointing works as part of repairs or more extensive renovation projects to traditional masonry buildings. The session will be led by tutor Andy Newcombe, a time served stone mason with 20 years’ experience working with and repairing traditional buildings. Cost: Free
Booking essential via BCT Office.

Culture & Business Scotland – Business Briefing: Employment Law & HR Update
Date & Time: Tuesday 23 May 2023; 12-1pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Barry Nichol, Director and a specialist in employment law at Anderson Strathern, will provide an essential employment law and HR update in this one-hour webinar, addressing important topics such as flexible and atypical working, family-friendly rights and the Fair Work Framework.

SPAB – Repair of Old Buildings Course (RC1 23)
Date & Time: Monday 22 – Friday 26 May 2023
Location: Museum of the Home, Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA
This popular short course has been presented by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings since the 1950s. Run over five days, this course delivers an intensive programme of lectures and visits to building repair projects. Presented by leading building conservation professionals, the Repair Course considers British and international approaches to the conservation of old buildings.

 

VACANCIES

Edinburgh World Heritage – Donor Engagement Manager
Salary: £29,840-£31,900 p.a.
Status: Part-time (0.5/0.6 FTE); permanent
Location: Edinburgh
Edinburgh World Heritage are seeking a Donor Engagement Manager to play a vital part in organisational core resilience, through ownership of international and corporate income targets, developing on a good early foundation in these engaging and impactful areas of work. This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a dynamic and energetic team striving to support a more entrepreneurial approach to securing a future as custodians of, and ambassadors for, Edinburgh’s outstanding world heritage. Further information on applications can be found here.
Closing date: 9am, Monday 8 May 2023

Historic Environment Scotland – Vernacular Building Craft Fellow
Salary: £21,052-£21,872 p.a.
Status: Full-time; 37 hours per week
Location: Perthshire, Kinross and Angus
This post will be part of a wider programme of Craft Fellowships across Scotland.
Vernacular buildings reflect local building traditions, they are created using local, natural materials, using traditional construction techniques and craft skills. Craft Fellows have the opportunity to gain practical experience, learn from experts in their chosen field or craft, increase knowledge of the wider conservation sector, expand their professional network and have access to a wide range of learning resources and opportunities from the Engine Shed, Scotland’s dedicated Conservation Resource Centre. This role involves working with The Scottish Crannog Centre team, to support the building of the new ‘Iron Age Village’ and Crannog at The Scottish Crannog Centre’s new site at Dalerb, and gain experience in traditional building construction by sourcing natural materials and building using traditional construction methods. The role will also provide the opportunity to learn about green wood working, thatching, and stone and turf wall building.
Further information and applications.
Closing date: Midday, Tuesday 9 May 2023

Heritage Trust Network – Heritage Trainee (Graduate)
Salary: Pro rata – £20,000 p.a.
Status: Full-time (37 hrs per week)
Location: Working from home or from an agreed shared workspace anywhere in the UK.
Heritage Trust Network is recruiting for a new post of Heritage Trainee (Graduate) for a fixed term of 6 months. This exciting post has been designed to help the successful graduate develop on-the-job skills, knowledge and networks to help them gain early-career access to the heritage sector. The post is perfect for someone who has recently graduated and has an interest in heritage and the regeneration of communities through the use of historic buildings, structures and spaces. Training and equipment will be provided. Job description and recruitment pack.
Closing date: Monday 15 May 2023

National Churches Trust – Church Support Project Manager
Salary: £37,000 p.a.
Status: Full-time; 3 years fixed-term
Location: Home or office-based
Are you an experienced Project Manager who wants to help keep churches well maintained, valued and in use? You could make a massive difference to the UK’s churches, chapels and meeting houses by joining the National Churches Trust team. The NCT are seeking a Church Support Project Manager to oversee delivery of a new National Lottery Heritage Funded Cherish project. Reporting to the Head of Church Engagement, the post holder will work full-time on a three-year fixed-term contract overseeing the project in Scotland, Wales and North-West England. There is the option of working at home or in the London office, but some travel will be required.
Information pack to apply.
Closing date: 10am, Friday 19 May 2023

The Cockburn Association – Chair
The Cockburn Association is seeking to recruit a new Chair to replace Professor Cliff Hague OBE, who retires from the position in May 2023 following 6 years of excellent service. In 2025, the Cockburn will celebrate its 150^th anniversary. The new Chair will help frame the celebrations of this significant landmark event, which will include a major civic reception and publication. A key objective of the Chair is to drive the development of the Cockburn ‘brand’, increasing the support base and reaching out to stakeholders across the city, existing and new.  The Chair will be expected to bring their own network into the Association where possible and act as a figurehead to members and supporters.
Further information and a role description is available from the Director, Terry Levinthal: 0131-557-8686

The National Trust for Scotland – Heritage Compliance Officer
Salary: £34,376-£38,027 (subject to experience)
Status: Full-time (flexible working possible)
Location: Hybrid working, available for meetings in Edinburgh
The National Trust for Scotland is looking to recruit a heritage compliance officer to help identify and manage the conservation and operations risks. This is a unique opportunity to work across all aspects of a major heritage organisation, liaising with colleagues in all disciplines.
All enquiries and applications should be addressed to: Diarmid Hearns, Head of Public Policy, Risk and Environment

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