The Architectural Heritage Fund

23/06/2026

🚨 We have just published our June 2026 newsletter!

This issue includes:
- A round-up of the latest AHF news.
- A word from our CEO on the launch of our 50th Anniversary Fund.
- A project focus on The Glebe, led by Creative Regeneration.
- A look at positive updates from three other Scottish projects awarded grants from our Historic Environment Scotland Top 20% SIMD priority budget.
- Updates on our touring exhibition, including some details of the next leg, starting in Cardiff later today at the Norwegian Church Arts Centre.

Read it here: ⬇️
https://mailchi.mp/78866a04445e/ahf-june-2026-newsletter-6747052

Want to stay updated on the latest AHF news and have our next newsletter delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up to our mailing list: 👇
https://ahfund.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5b0d2481bc8ab987b88d76660&id=44765eeae8

📸 Pictured here is the local community celebrating the acquisition of The Glebe, Greenock. Credit: Andrew King.

23/06/2026

This next Project of the Week takes us back to the late 1980s, when the AHF first supported the revival of the most westerly farm in Wales, Lower Treginnis.

The farmstead contains a group of 19th-century buildings that were unused and had become dangerously dilapidated over time.

Today, following a successful restoration, the site is one of three farms owned and run by Farms for City Children - a charity that offers five-day farm residentials for children and young people, particularly from underserved communities across England and Wales.

While staying at Lower Treginnis, children and young people are ‘[immersed] in real work — caring for animals, growing food, cooking meals and understanding the rhythms of nature.’

Find out more: 👇
https://ahfund.org.uk/anniversary/lower-treginnis-farm

📸 Photos courtesy of Farms for City Children. Pictured here is:
1. Farmhouse at Lower Treginnis.
2. Young people at work on Lower Treginnis in 1989.
3. Young people caring for animals at Lower Treginnis.

22/06/2026

22/06/2026

22/06/2026

In the last 50 years, we have invested over £43 million in grant and loan offers to over 600 projects in Scotland.

We've funded a huge range of buildings, both in time - from medieval towers to Cold War radar stations - and in space - from the northern tip of Unst to the southern end of Galloway.

We've supported over 400 different community-focussed organisations to use historic buildings as a catalyst to deliver locally-led social and economic regeneration projects across every single local authority area in Scotland.

The AHF's 50th Anniversary celebrations and exhibition are now turning their focus to Wales... but if you've missed any of the previous 16 weeks of Scottish project highlights, then here they all are pictured together! You can read the full case studies for all of these Projects of the Week on our anniversary pages here:
https://ahfund.org.uk/anniversary/

Many thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting these anniversary events, and to Historic Environment Scotland and the William Grant Foundation for supporting us with crucial core and grant funding over many years to help all these amazing and inspiring projects, and without whom none of this would be possible!

Now: Off to Cardiff!

22/06/2026

New lending fund just launched in Wales 🚀

Our 50th Anniversary Fund is now open! Made possible by a generous contribution from Cadw, this Fund offers longer-term loans to support the purchase, conservation and sustainable reuse of historic buildings in Wales.

It will help charities and social enterprises to make a positive social impact by bringing historic buildings back into active use, securing their long-term future whilst delivering a range of benefits for local communities.

The Fund also offers flexible terms that can be tailored to the unique circumstances of each project and community group.

Go to our Funding Finder to see if you are eligible and find out how to apply now:
👉 https://ahfund.org.uk/what-we-do/fund/

-- Welsh translation below --


Cronfa benthyca newydd wedi'i lansio yng Nghymru 🚀

Mae ein Cronfa Dathlu 50 Mlynedd nawr ar agor! Gwnaed yn bosibl trwy gyfraniad hael gan Cadw, mae'r Gronfa hon yn cynnig benthyciadau tymor hir i gefnogi prynu, gwarchod a defnyddio'n gynaliadwy o adeiladau hanesyddol yng Nghymru.

Bydd yn gymorth i elusennau a mentrau cymdeithasol gyflawni effaith cymdeithasol cadarnhaol drwy sicrhau bod adeiladau hanesyddol yn cael eu defnyddio unwaith eto, gan ddiogelu eu dyfodol hirdymor ynghyd â chyflwyno ystod o fuddion i gymunedau lleol.

Mae'r Gronfa hefyd yn cynnig telerau hyblyg y gellir eu teilwra i amgylchiadau unigryw pob prosiect a grŵp cymunedol.

Ewch i'n gwefan i weld a ydych yn gymwys a dod o hyd am sut i wneud cais nawr:
👉 https://ahfund.org.uk/what-we-do/fund/



📸
1. Sker House, Porthcawl. Credit: Buildings at Risk Trust.
2. The opening of Bishop’s Park Outbuildings, Abergwili. Credit: Cliff Day from Ymddiriedolaeth Drws i’r Dyffryn / Tywi Gateway Trust.
3. Cardigan Market Hall. Credit - Owen Howells Photography for Menter Aberteifi Cyf.

16/06/2026

It’s time for our final Scottish Project of the Week for .

Situated at the heart of Portsoy is a group of historic harbour buildings dating from circa 1765, all of which are held in high affection by the local community.

The buildings have been bequeathed as a group for the North East Scotland Preservation Trust - NESPT to preserve and maintain in perpetuity, and the Trust is now working hard to bring them back into productive use ‘to ensure they are conserved for future generations to enjoy.’

Learn more: ⬇
https://ahfund.org.uk/anniversary/portsoy-harbour-buildings

Missed any previous Projects of the Week this year? Check out the timeline on our Anniversary page, which includes a round-up of all the projects highlighted so far in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.
👉 https://ahfund.org.uk/anniversary/

📸 Pictured here is:
1. The Old Harbour in Portsoy.
2. The annual Boat Festival on the Old Harbour. Credit: North East Scotland Preservation Trust.
3. The exterior of the Marble Warehouse, one of the historic buildings on the Old Harbour. Credit: North East Scotland Preservation Trust.

15/06/2026

📣 New grant announcement!

We are very pleased to have awarded a Project Viability Grant to Old School Thornhill Development Trust. This funding will help the organisation to explore plans to acquire the former Thornhill Police Station and bring it back to life to provide key services in the area.

Located within the Thornhill Conservation Area in Dumfries and Galloway, the Category C
-listed former police station is highly valued by the local community for its long-standing civic function. No longer in use, it currently stands vacant and is at risk of deterioration.

Old School Thornhill's proposals for the building's future use include a childcare / nursery facility on the ground floor, with community-led affordable homes above.

Find out more: 👇
https://ahfund.org.uk/what-we-do/inspire/news/regeneration-of-thornhill-police-station

📸 Old School Thornhill Development Trust

11/06/2026

📨 Invite loading... You are invited to join us as we celebrate the opening of the next leg of our UK tour!

Join us at the beautiful Norwegian Church Arts Centre in Cardiff Bay for the launch of the 'AHF: 50 Years of Reimagining Heritage' exhibition in Wales.

During the event, we will be looking back on 5 decades of transformative heritage regeneration projects and looking ahead to opportunities for the next 50 years.

Confirmed speakers include:
- Alan Francis, AHF Trustee, President of the Royal society of Architects in Wales, and Director of Gaunt Francis Architects.
- Carole-Anne Davies, Chair of Gregynog Trust and former CEO of Design Commission for Wales.
- Gitti Coats, Director of HaverHub.
- Andrew White, Director of Wales at The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

📅 23rd June, 6-8pm
📍 Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4PA

Book your place today:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/anniversary-exhibition-ahf-50-years-of-reimagining-heritage-tickets-1988909118714?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

This exhibition is part of the AHF's 50th-anniversary celebrations, which are made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to players, the AHF is able to celebrate 50 Years of Reimagining Heritage and Transforming Communities across the UK.

📸 Norwegian Church Arts Centre. Credit: Thomas Husøy-Ciaccia.

11/06/2026

🔔 Funding news!

In West Calder, the former Co-op Bakery is being restored and redeveloped into the Scottish Co-op Discovery Centre. We previously supported this project with a Project Development Grant in 2023.

Today, we are thrilled to announce that we have now awarded a loan to West Calder and Harburn Community Development Trust - this funding is providing cashflow support during the delivery phase of the project, which is currently underway.

Learn more: ⬇️
https://ahfund.org.uk/what-we-do/inspire/news/securing-former-co-op-bakerys-long-term-future

A range of funds, including loan investment, are available for not-for-profit organisations across the UK who want to bring historic buildings back into use. For more information, please visit our website.

In Scotland, the Heritage Impact Fund is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and players, as well as Historic Environment Scotland.

📸 Pictured here is:
1. The exterior of the former Co-op Bakery in West Calder in June 2026. Credit: Matt Pearce.
2. Artist's Impression of the Scottish Co-operative Discovery Centre. Credit: Collective Architecture Ltd.