repair grants for places of worship

In 2002 Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund teamed up to provide grant assistance for repairs to Places of Worship considered to be of outstanding architectural or historic interest.

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from all faith groups and denominations. However, you must be a formally constituted religious organisation (i.e. governed by a set of rules known as the constitution).

We will only consider grants for urgent repairs that are needed to keep a Place of Worship structurally stable and weathertight. Most of these repairs are likely to be high-level work to roofs, towers, spires, high-level masonry and systems for getting rid of rainwater. However, we will also consider applications for other urgent repair work if historic fabric (the floor and walls of the building) is at risk of being damaged or if there is an emergency affecting the building.

Criteria for awarding grants

Assessment of applications is a competitive process and there are a number of criteria which have to be met before an award can be considered.

• The building must be listed to receive a grant from the heritage lottery fund.
• It must be used for public worship at least 6 times a year.
• Public access must be provided outside the usual hours of worship.
• The project must be for high-level structural repairs, or if other historic fabric is at risk.
• The repair work needs to have been identified in a recent condition survey.
• The estimated cost of the project should be more than £10,000 in total (including fees and VAT).
• Need for financial assistance from public funds must be demonstrated.

Grants may be awarded by Historic Scotland or the Heritage Lottery Fund, or both after we have made our own assessments of an application.

How and when to apply

Applications are invited twice a year.  You must make sure we receive your application by 28 February and 31 August.  

Application form and guidance notes

Pre-Application Enquiry Form [84kb]

Application Form [125kb]

Guidance Notes [134kb]

Categories of Outstanding Buildings [47kb]

Further information

If you need further information about applying for a grant please email hs.grants@scotland.gsi.gov.uk