2013-09-10 — /travelprnews.com/ — Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs is this week visiting sites in Argyll which will benefit from funding from Historic Scotland to carry out conservation works.
She will today visit the Picture House in Campbeltown, which is celebrating its centenary in 2013. Considered to be Scotland’s oldest continually working cinema, the Picture House received a Stage-1 Building Repair Grant award from Historic Scotland of £449,674 last year. The grant is part of a potential £2.3 million package which will fund an extensive restoration programme, due for completion in 2017.
Ms Hyslop’s visit to the Picture House follows a tour of buildings in Inveraray which will benefit from £970,059 of funding from the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) which will run from 2013-2018. Funding partners for the £2 million scheme include Argyll and Bute Council, the Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) and property owners.
Buildings which will benefit from repair works include the Temperance Hotel, Chamberlain’s House and Town House as well as Relief Land and Arkland. There will also be a small grants scheme running for other properties located within the Conservation Area as well as some training and educational activities.
Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland’s town centres are at the heart of our communities, and it is vital that their historic fabric is valued, maintained and protected. CARS repair grants assist vital restoration works to buildings across Scotland, and I was pleased to be able to see first-hand the historic buildings in Inveraray which are to benefit from funding. Inveraray has a charming, bustling High Street and its historic character is a vital part of that. I am delighted that this funding will help to preserve that character, to the cultural and economic benefit of the town.”
She added: “The Picture House in Campbeltown is considered to be the oldest continually run cinema in Scotland, and is one of just a few remaining early purpose-built cinemas in the UK. It’s also a vital resource for Campbeltown and is a well-used and much-loved building in the town. I am pleased to have the opportunity to visit it in its centenary year and am delighted that Historic Scotland has been able to play a key role in conserving it for future generations to enjoy.”
Argyll and Bute Council’s Lead Councillor for Environment, Development and Infrastructure, Councillor John Semple, said: “Inveraray is one of Argyll and Bute’s prettiest towns and the CARS scheme promises considerable improvements and regeneration of some of its key buildings.
“Campbeltown’s historic Picture House is a real local success story and the people who have worked so hard to retain it in its charming original form are to be congratulated.
“Both projects are very important not only to the local communities but to Argyll and Bute as a whole. I am very happy that Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, has been able to see these Argyll and Bute jewels during her visit to the area”.
Notes for editors
- Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament. For more information visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
- Register for media release email alerts from www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news. If you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email hs.website@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
- Historic Scotland around the web:
www.twitter.com/welovehistory,
www.facebook.com/visithistoricscotland
www.youtube.com/historicscotlandtv
www.flickr.com/groups/makeyourownhistory
- 2013 is the Year of Natural Scotland, inspiring our people and our visitors to celebrate Scotland’s outstanding natural beauty, landscapes and biodiversity as Scotland prepares to welcome the world in 2014 and beyond. Find out more about Scotland’s outstanding natural beauty atwww.visitscotland.com/natural
- Keep up to date with Historic Scotland’s regular Year of Natural Scotland blog by visiting: http://yearofnatural.historic-scotland.gov.uk/
For further information
Alice Wyllie
Communications and Media Officer
Communications and Media
0131 668 8603 or 07920 768 096
alice.wyllie@scotland.gsi.gov.uk