More training opportunities in masonry conservation are to be offered in Scotland thanks to additional funding announced by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

In addition to the 14 year long and 50 short term training opportunities that will be available through the bursary programme, Historic Scotland is also providing training grants in other conservation skills of up to £2,000.

Culture Minister Michael Russell said: "It is especially important that at a time like this, support is given to ensure training continues. Scotland has been a world leader in design, engineering and traditional skills for generations and these grants and bursaries will give people the opportunity to learn the skills to maintain and conserve our outstanding architectural landscape."

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The HLF award of £436,800 follows on from the successful £1m bursary programme established in partnership with Historic Scotland in 2004 which has seen 16 full time and 40 short term trainees study masonry work and take up placements all over Scotland.

The Minister added: "I have been fortunate enough to meet some of the trainees who have already completed the programme and was struck by the passion that they have, both for working on historic buildings and learning the traditional skills that they would not normally have had the opportunity to study."

The new technical conservation grant created by Historic Scotland will give financial support to those looking for training in traditional skills areas other than masonry.

For more information on both the bursary programme and the technical conservation grants please visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/conservation-training-and-skills-development or telephone 0131 668 8947.

(GK/BMcC)