SFF Development round applications

New initiatives in heritage engagement through facility and programme development; maximising the unique role of St Conan's Kirk in promoting wellbeing in Lochawe, Lochaweside and Argyll

Applicant: St Conan's Church: Loch Awe

Project summary: This project proposes to unlock the full potential of the elaborate, A-listed building as the focal point of community activity in Lochawe and north Argyll. The project aims to improve the accessibility of St Conan’s Kirk, provide functional space for rural communities and provide facilities for visitors as part of the wider regional tourism strategy.

Decision: Award a development grant of £93,792 (71% of total costs) and potential delivery grant of £812,647 (67% of total costs)

Summerlee: new stories, new audiences, better lives

Applicant: North Lanarkshire Council

Project summary: This project aims to redevelop and revitalise Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life. It will deliver a range of capital works that will enable the museum to grow its collection and tell the stories of Scotland's industrial life from the post-war period through to deindustrialisation. It will use the new spaces created to engage a wider range of people in heritage, with a particular focus on disadvantaged groups which are typically excluded from heritage, using heritage as a way to better their lives and transform their life chances.

Decision: Award a development grant of £118,980 (69% of total costs) and potential delivery grant of £3,399,193 (54% of total costs)

SFF Second round application

Climate FORTH (Furthering Our Resilience Through Heritage)

Applicant: Royal Society For The Protection Of Birds

Project summary: By responding to local need and demand, this project aims to facilitate and demonstrate the transformative action needed to transition to a climate literate, ready and resilient place. Through collaboration and co-creation, pilot schemes will explore how new adaptive responses to change can safeguard, sustain and re-purpose our unique natural, cultural and built heritage assets.

Decision: Award grant of £1,054,832 (66% of total costs)

Grant increases

Silverburn Flax Mill – Heart, Mind & Soul Silverburn

Applicant: Fife Employment Access Trust

Project summary: This project aims to restore a derelict B-listed flax mill which sits at the heart of Fife’s ‘Levenmouth area Local Community Plan’. It aims to bring economic, wellbeing and employment training opportunities to the most deprived area of Fife and revitalise an important local asset. A significant grant increase is requested in response to significant increases in capital costs following unforeseen inflationary and material cost rises on a project originally budgeted in March 2019.

Decision: Award grant increase of £1,200,000 to make a total grant of £4,676,000

Scotland's Wildlife Discovery Centre

Applicant: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

Project summary: This project aims to improve the visitor experience at the Highland Wildlife Park, by creating Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre, a series of three interconnected hubs showcasing Scotland’s native wildlife and conservation work taking place across the Cairngorms. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) have requested a grant increase to enable completion of capital works and the delivery of the activity programme following cost increases.

Decision: Award grant increase of £500,000 to make a total grant of £2,400,000