Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs today, announced the latest rounds of Historic Scotland’s Building Grants funding at Riddle’s Court, Lawnmarket in Edinburgh, which forms part of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site.

She said: "I am delighted that Historic Scotland’s £4,061,535 grant funding for building repairs will regenerate 16 diverse and fascinating buildings, from the Leighton Library in Dunblane, Scotland’s earliest surviving purpose built library, to the iconic bridge at Brig o Doon in Alloway, immortalised by Robert Burns’ poem Tam O’Shanter, to the well-loved Kelvingrove Bandstand in Glasgow.

"It is vital that we preserve our historic environment, not only for future generations to enjoy, but also to attract visitors from around the world who come to explore our fascinating history and heritage.

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"The Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning and Conservation will be an excellent example of heritage regeneration of one of the finest surviving Scottish residences, dating from the late 16th century. It will become a conservation hub providing a platform for sharing resources and best practice advice, as well as practical training on traditional building skills."

Riddle’s Court comprises a series of buildings dating from 1590 set around a small courtyard off the Lawnmarket. It will receive £500,000 for building repairs which are part of a wider project to repair, restore and redevelop Riddle’s Court to become the Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning and Conservation.

John Campbell, QC, Chairman of the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust said: "We are absolutely delighted that the importance of Riddle’s Court is being recognised by this highly significant repairs grant from Historic Scotland.

"The first step on the road to the creation of the Patrick Geddes Centre for Conservation and Learning will enable us to start down the road to putting this historic merchant’s house into a better functioning condition, so that scholars, the whole conservation community, the public and visitors can appreciate and enjoy the buildings’ unique surroundings and presence right in the centre of the capital city, where Geddes once lived and worked."

(GK)