Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage and Place Programme is an area-based funding programme that aims to contribute to the development of vibrant and sustainable places in Scotland, through community-led regeneration of the historic environment. It supports the development and delivery of heritage focused schemes within conservation areas, or alternatively distinctive heritage areas with local authority recognition.
Key Criteria
The fund supports heritage‑led projects in conservation areas, or in other clearly defined historic areas that are recognised by the local authority. Schemes should be shaped by local priorities, developed through partnership, and closely connected to what communities want and need.
This fund supports programmes that bring together:
- Repair and reuse of historic buildings and places
- Training in traditional skills and materials
- Activities that help communities connect with, value and care for their heritage
Successful Heritage and Place schemes are built on strong partnerships, clear local need, and a shared vision for place.
If a not-for-profit organisation is the lead applicant, they must:
- Demonstrate experience of managing similar projects and funding levels
- Work in partnership with the relevant local or national park authority
- Enter into a Joint Delivery Agreement for the development and delivery of the scheme
Community participation must be central to the design and delivery of the programme, with clear evidence of local engagement and support.
To be eligible for the Heritage and Place Fund, your scheme must meet the following criteria:
- Location: The programme takes place within a defined historic area of heritage significance that has local authority recognition.
- Strategic fit: Objectives align with the local authority’s strategic approach to place and regeneration.
- Demonstrated need: Clear evidence that repair and regeneration is needed within the area and that your scheme will focus on repair and resilience, traditional skills training and materials, community heritage engagement and future management and maintenance.
- Community demand: Identified interest and demand from the local community for the activities proposed.
- Funding need and match funding: A clear case for HES funding, alongside the ability to attract local authority funding and other match funding.
- Grant priorities: The project must deliver on the HES grant priorities. The priorities can be found on their website.
To apply, complete an Expression of Interest via the HES application portal. If successful at the EOI stage, you will be invited to make a Development Phase application.
