Funding boost for Gracemount community hub
Funding of £167,000 has boosted plans to transform a rundown Edinburgh mansion into a thriving community hub.
Gracemount Mansion Development Trust (GMDT) is one of 11 community organisations across the country to share grants totalling £1.8 million in the latest round of awards by the Scottish Land Fund.
The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), helping communities to acquire and develop their assets.
Before its closure in 2018 on safety grounds, the 18thcentury building was home to Gracemount Youth and Community Centre – one of Scotland’s first and longest running youth groups.
Welcoming the move, trust chair Lindsay Aitken said: “The funds awarded will enable GMDT to purchase Gracemount House and surrounding grounds from the City of Edinburgh Council, as well as a significant contribution towards the essential works required to partially reopen Gracemount Mansion as a community hub in 2025.
“With further funding, the full reopening of Gracemount House will bring back a much needed and desired facility and resource for the community and beyond.”
Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “Over one million people across Scotland now live in communities where assets have been acquired with funding from the Scottish Land Fund. This is a remarkable milestone and displays just how large an impact the Fund has had on communities across Scotland.
“Community ownership is an effective way to revitalise local areas and improve the lives of residents. The latest recipients are no exception and I know that their projects will bring countless benefits to their communities.”