The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is incredibly pleased to have been able to support two exciting projects now underway in Scotland with grant support and newly offered loans.
Images: The exterior of Carluke High Mill and a community information event at the Mill. Credit - Jo Robertson and The Carluke Development Trust.
Carluke High Mill, South Lanarkshire
The Carluke Development Trust is undertaking a huge restoration and redevelopment project that will bring the derelict Category A listed Carluke High Mill back into use. Dating originally from the 1790s, High Mill is the most complete windmill in Scotland, and a rare survivor. It was first in use as a wind-powered grain mill and converted to steam power in the 1830s. The site includes the partially collapsed circular mill tower, a brick kiln and loft, a brick chimney with boiler house, and the 19th-century Miller’s House and stable block.
The Trust will repair the derelict buildings and bring them back into use for a wide range of community and tourism focused activities, including converting the Miller’s Cottage into a learning and interpretation space. The land surrounding the site is already being used as a community garden, and this will be developed further as part of the masterplan for the mill.
The AHF first supported the Carluke project with viability and development grants, starting back in 2012. In 2023, the AHF was able to offer a loan of £100,000 from the Heritage Impact Fund to help the Trust manage cashflow for the project, which has received grant funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government.
The first phase of works is expected to complete in late 2024. Further phases of work on the site are planned and will include the repair of historic mill machinery and the development of new spaces for community use.
Image: An external shot of the Haining taken from across Haining Loch. Credit - Walter Baxter.
The Haining, Scottish Borders
The Haining Trust has completed the first phase of repair works to the Category A listed Palladian mansion house, the Haining. The Haining Estate is centred around this 18th-century mansion house and associated buildings, including the converted coach house and stable block, which were previously supported by the AHF with numerous grants and loans from 2010. The estate also includes the scheduled site of a 12th-century castle and Haining Loch, all within an openly accessible 160-acre parkland. The whole estate was bequeathed for the benefit of the people of Selkirkshire and wider by Andrew Nimmo-Smith in 2009, and is managed and run by a dedicated team of volunteers.
Working closely with Historic Environment Scotland, the Trust have almost completed the first phase of works, which has saved the building and brought the building fabric into a good state of repair, ensuring the structure is wind and weather tight. These works included repairs to the roof, ashlar stonework, rainwater goods, masonry, and windows, and the replacement of joinery where dry rot had caused substantial damage throughout the building.
The AHF has been able to offer the Trust a loan of £250,000 from its General Funds. This will allow completion of this first phase of urgent external repairs, and is part of a funding package of over £2.5m from Historic Environment Scotland, Wolfson Foundation, Pilgrim Trust, and the UK Government's Prosperity Fund, as well as crucial local authority support.
The renovation is part of an estate-wide development plan which will ensure the sustainability of the whole site, creating community spaces, workshop and creative business hubs, and meeting and function spaces; improving access throughout the parkland; and offering a range of activities and events for the local community to increase tourism to the site. The Trust hopes to reopen the building to the public in 2024.
AHF funding for Carluke High Mill:
Options Appraisal Grant - £7,211 (2012)
Project Development Grant - £7,940 (2014)
Project Development Grant - £17,500 (2018)
Heritage Impact Fund Loan Offer - £100k (2023)
AHF funding for The Haining:
Options Appraisal Grant - £15,000 (2010)
Project Development Grant - £22,000 (2011)
Project Development Grant - £15,000 (2021)
AHF Loan Offer - £250k (2021)
