Alistair Hardaker
Image: The exterior of Glasgow Women's Library (CC by SA4.0 Lirazelf)
Fund supports capital costs for resilience, accessibility, environmental sustainability and essential repairs across Scottish museum sector.
Museums Galleries Scotland has awarded £862,488 to 17 museum organisations across Scotland through the Repair and Adaptation Fund.
The fund was introduced earlier this year to address the need for capital funding in the sector and was made possible by a significant increase in capital investment from the Scottish Government.
The awards will support capital costs that directly increase the resilience and accessibility of museums, Museum Galleries Scotland said.
Projects include upgrading facilities and making essential repairs, and environmental sustainability.
Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland said the increased funding from the Scottish Government “ncrease acknowledges the challenges faced by the museum sector in making sure Scotland’s collections are well cared for”.
“This funding is key in allowing museums to effectively preserve Scotland’s cultural heritage and continue to benefit the communities they serve.”
The 17 funded projects include The Scottish Fisheries Museum, which will use its grant to replace the roof of its Grade A listed building. Tarbat Discovery Centre and Stromness Museum will carry out building condition surveys in order to plan for future repair and adaptation needs.
Glasgow Women’s Library will use its funding to adapt its roof in order to install PV solar panels that will generate renewable energy for the library alongside air source heat pumps.
Sue John, director of Glasgow Women’s Library said the funding will enable it to begin phase two of its net zero plan “This will contribute to Glasgow Women’s Library becoming sustainable in the decades to come, while also ensuring the safety and longevity of our unique collections.”
The 17 museums and galleries awarded a Repair and Adaptation grant are
Biggar Museum
Orkney Natural History Society Museum (Stromness Museum)
Museum of Communication
Tarbat Historic Trust (Tarbat Discovery Centre)
Portsoy Community Enterprise (The Salmon Bothy)
Scottish Maritime Museum
Dalgarven Mill
Inverclyde Council (Watt Institution)
The Whithorn Trust
National Trust for Scotland (Robert Burns Birthplace Museum)
ANGUSalive (Arbroath Signal Tower Museum)
Glasgow Women’s Library
Glasgow Life (Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum)
Scottish Fisheries Museum
National Mining Museum Scotland
The Tall Ship Glenlee
Glencoe Folk Museum
Round 2 of the Repair and Adaptation Fund is open for applications until 5th of November 2025. Accredited museums in Scotland can apply for grants of up to £100,000. Organisations with project costs over £100,000 can also apply to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for match funding.
