HISTORIC Scotland has announced the latest round of Building Repair Grants, totalling £1.5 million - £370,000 of which will be used to restore the Haining mansion house in Selkirk.

In 2009, the Haining Estate was bequeathed for the benefit of the community of Selkirkshire, and the wider public. Since that time the Haining Charitable Trust have been working hard to develop a plan for the regeneration of the estate as a significant cultural and recreational destination for the South of Scotland.

The project was recently awarded a commendation in ‘Regeneration and Conservation’ by the Edinburgh Architectural Association. The funding will be used to undertake essential repairs to the mansion house. In announcing the funding, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said: “We are incredible lucky in Scotland to have a built heritage which is the envy of the world. By investing in these important buildings we are not just ensuring the protection of these vital connections to our past but also investing in projects which can play a prominent role in the future of their communities, by acting as cultural hubs or by creating jobs and attracting visitors – bringing vital revenue into local economies.” “The scheme demonstrates the Scottish Government’s determination that these buildings are not allowed to just gather dust or fall into disrepair. Rather they are to be protected, preserved, and made available for to all to enjoy.” The Building Repair Grants Scheme exists to give financial aid to owners of buildings of special architectural or historical interest, in order to meet the cost of high-quality repairs, using traditional materials and specialist craftsmen, to conserve original features.