Seven distinguished churches are to have urgent and essential repairs carried out thanks to a funding package announced by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Historic Scotland.

From the first Roman Catholic church to be built after the Reformation to one of the best examples of a Modernist church built after the war, over £1.3million of funding will ensure that these fine buildings are once again wind and watertight providing a venue for worship and a hub for community activity.

The grants are the last to be awarded under the Repair Grants for Places of Worship. A new programme, Grants for Places of Worship, has just been launched to replace the former programme. The new scheme is designed not only to help address the backlog of urgent repairs, but also allows applicants to apply for funding for new works, such as kitchens and toilets, improvements to heating and electrical systems, and improved energy efficiency, so that these historic buildings are fit for the future and can be used and enjoyed more widely as community spaces.

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Commenting on the announcement, Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said: "Places of worship are such a key component of our rich cultural and architectural heritage across the country. It is important that we invest in their conservation and upkeep to ensure they continue to play a vital role for the congregations they serve and communities in which they are based.

"I am delighted that both Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund are making this funding available for these projects which will breathe new life into these churches through essential repairs and maintenance. I look forward to seeing the results this investment will deliver."

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "HLF is delighted to be able to help these congregations secure the future of their church. Scotland has an amazing variety of churches, each one reflecting the social history of its community as well as the architectural influences of the time. They are often the most distinctive building in the area providing a focus for civil and social activities as well as providing wonderful opportunities for people to get involved and learn about local history and heritage.

"We know that places of worship need money for vital repairs, but we also know that much can be achieved with relatively modest investment to help them reach out to new generations and become truly flexible places for communities. Our new joint places of worship programme will help people do just that."

(GK)