Scotland’s Proposed National Conservation Centre Gets £6.5 million Boost

Plans for a National Conservation Centre (NCC) for Scotland have taken a major leap forward with news that they have received financial backing to the tune of £6.5 million, £3.5 million from the ubiquitous Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), and a further £3 million from the Scottish government's Young Scots Fund.

Historic Scotland has also applied for a further £1.9 million grant from the European Regional Development Fund. It hopes that the centre will be used for training and research to develop the specialist skills required for preserving historic buildings.

Passing on conservation skills

There appears no doubt about one thing however, and that it will be housed in a former railway engine shed, in Forthside, from 2014.

The announcement was made by culture secretary Fiona Hyslop, who was visiting the area to inspect plans of the proposed refurbishment.  Ms Hyslop said: "Conserving our heritage for future generations, and developing the skills in our young people to do so, is a key focus for Scotland.
"This initial approval from the Heritage Lottery Fund is a huge boost for this important project.  Scotland has long championed the value of nurturing traditional skills and technical expertise so I am delighted that the HLF is backing our plan to help establish a world-leading centre for conservation."

Colin McLean, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, described it as a "visionary project" that would "transform the skills available" for ensuring the future of Scotland's traditional buildings.
"The National Conservation Centre will become a centre of excellence for the hundreds of thousands of historic buildings which form part of our everyday lives as shops, banks and homes," he said.

Councillor Johanna Boyd, Leader of Stirling Council, said: "Not only will the centre help develop the specialist skills necessary to preserve and protect our outstanding heritage for future generations, but it will also play a major part in the ongoing regeneration of Stirling's Forthside, and create great job opportunities for local young people."