Perth and Kinross has a deep, rich and varied human past as evidenced by the abundance and quality of sites of historic, architectural, archaeological and cultural significance. These include a diverse and extensive range of stately homes and palaces, listed buildings, archaeological sites, conservation areas and designed landscapes. The region’s historic buildings provide unique spaces in which to meet, work, and be inspired and therefore are an important part of the built, social and economic fabric of our daily lives.
“Historic streetscapes, individual listed buildings and protected landscapes create unique settings and the backdrop for our daily lives, forming and defining a sense of place, connection to and attachment with place and the past.”
Improving the condition and use of the built historic environment to create economic and social benefit is therefore of significant strategic importance to the Trust and over the years we have provided well in excess of £2 million of grant aid to conserve over 500 significant historic buildings throughout Perth and Kinross. This assistance has supported conservation work ranging from minor grants such as traditional sash and case windows to much larger awards such as that to the Royal Scottish Geographical Society for their relocation to the Fair Maids House, Perth.
The Trust has also carried out various Conservation Area enhancement schemes over the years, including those at Dunning, from 1992-4, Dunkeld and Birnam, from 1996-9 and at Abernethy, from 1993-7. The latter led to renovation of the 18th Century Mornington Stables to create the highly successful community-run Museum of Abernethy in 1996, now a key feature in the cultural offer of the area. Following the return of city status
in 2012, the Trust has been encouraging regeneration of historic buildings in the Perth and Kinnoull conservation areas through grant-aid.
With our office accommodation within the A-listed Lower City Mills in Perth, we continue to pursue and develop projects that return or enhance the use of historic properties and extend economic and social benefit. These projects may be the conservation / enhancement of a single property such as Lower City Mills or a Building at Risk, or the delivery of an area based regeneration programme such as Townscape Heritage or Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes.
