Cash awards for historic city groups

GLASGOW heritage projects have been boosted by a cash injection to help historic buildings reopen and continue their services.

Among the recipients of funding from Historic Environment Scotland are the Glasgow Women’s Library in Bridgeton, Govan Heritage Trust and Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust.

The money comes in two “streams” – with one allowing premises to reopen in line with public health guidelines amid the pandemic, and the other funding jobs or training opportunities provided by organisations.

All three organisations have been forced to curb their usual activities and have seen their incomes fall as a result of coronavirus restrictions.

The Maryhill Burgh Halls Trust, which puts on community events in its halls and hosts a museum on the history of the North Glasgow neighbourhood, received £18,985.

The Glasgow Women’s Library

– the UK’s only accredited museum dedicated to women’s lives – would usually benefit from donations from visitors and attendees of events celebrating and exploring female history and literature. The library was gifted £30,000.

Govan Heritage Trust protects the history of medieval gravestones discovered in the grounds of the Govan Old Church. The Trust is also behind plans to convert the church into offices and an events space. It was awarded £39,905.

A total of £1.9 million was given to various projects across the country, including a railway museum in the Spey Valley and an A-listed lighthouse in Shetland.

Historic Environment Scotland’s chief executive Alex Paterson said: “By helping to protect jobs, reopen historic sites and maintaining investment in traditional skills training, we hope to support the wider recovery of the sector and Scotland’s economy.”