building repair grants

Under the agency’s Historic Building Repair Grants Scheme, financial help is available to owners to meet the cost of high-quality repairs using traditional materials and specialist craftsman to conserve original features in buildings of special architectural or historic interest.

In return, owners must insure and maintain the building and allow some access to visitors.

Who can apply?

Financial help is available to owners in both the private and public sectors (home owners, trusts, commercial undertakings, local authorities) to meet the cost of high-quality repairs.

Applicants must be organisations or individuals who have a legal responsibility for the repair of a historic building. You will normally need to own the building, or hold a full repairing lease, which has at least 21 years to run.

Private owners who have purchased the property within the previous 12 months, will not be seen as a priority for Historic Scotland grant assistance.

Criteria for awarding grants

There are a number of criteria which have to be met before an award can be considered.

• The building must be of sufficient outstanding architectural or historic interest.
• The building must be at serious risk from neglect or repair.
• A need for grant for repairs to be undertaken must be demonstrated.

Assessment of applications is a competitive process that also takes account of any wider benefits that the repair project may provide, such as:

• benefits for communities
• promotion of quality and development of knowledge and skills

Grants are not available for routine maintenance and minor repairs, or for the repair or installation of services. Any work of addition, alteration or demolition also does not qualify for grant.

How and when to apply

We accept applications for grant throughout the year but consider them in 3 batches with closing dates of 31 January, 31 May and 30 September.

Ways to apply

Applications in PDF format can be downloaded from below. The downloadable Guidance Notes should be referred to when completing your form.

• Apply online

By post to The Investment and Projects Team, Historic Scotland, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1SH.

By online, fax or on disk - please note that we still require a signed hard copy of the Declaration page by post.

Application form and guidance notes

Application Form [pdf, 250kb]

Guidance Notes [pdf, 188kb]

Categories of Outstanding Buildings [pdf, 30kb]

Environmental Assessment [pdf, 49kb]

Notes for Guidance of the Professional Advisers [pdf, 108kb]

Advisory Standards of Repair: Revision C - 2007 [pdf, 140kb]

Grants Terms and Conditions [pdf, 100kb]

Feedback Form [pdf, 77kb]


Historic Scotland operates an ‘access to information’ policy. Any information that you send to us and any information provided to help process this application may become publicly available

Further information

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