This five-year project, funded jointly by Historic Environment Scotland and Angus Council, aimed to promote a greater public awareness and appreciation of the built heritage within the conservation area, to contribute to the economic and social regeneration of Kirriemuir.
The conservation area varies in character to include not only the original medieval core of the burgh, but its later expansion to the west up Glengate, eastwards along Brechin Road, and the main thoroughfare northwards up the Roods.
The scheme ran from April 2013 until March 2018 with aims to:
- repair and reinstate the character and appearance of historic buildings within the conservation area
- restore or enhance the features which give the buildings their historical or architectural importance
- encourage or facilitate the re-use of vacant or partially vacant buildings
- promote greater public awareness and appreciation of the built heritage
- contribute to the economic and social regeneration of Kirriemuir
The project has invested over £1.1m in building repair works and public realm improvements within the conservation area, and developed traditional building skills training workshops and practice to raise awareness in the built heritage of “the wee red toon”.
The five-year heritage regeneration project has now concluded and all funding has been allocated. Highlights include:
- 48 buildings within the conservation area boundary benefitting from grant assistance of £845,000. The renovation of the Glengate Hall and 1-7 Roods have been flagship projects in the CARS with both listed buildings now occupied and removed from the Buildings at Risk register. Nearly £500,000 of grant funding has been spent on a further 46 buildings which have been repaired under the Small Grants Scheme.
- Public realm works of around £106,000 for enhancement works in The Square and other improvements.
- Over 80 people, building professionals, contractors and local residents have benefitted from our training workshops, some of whom have participated in hands-on repointing work to the boundary wall at Reform Street carpark;
- CARS has also supported Legacy projects in collaboration with local groups including the creation of a Wayfinding App, a Mosaic Mural by Dementia Friendly Kirriemuir and an update of the Heritage Trail.
The CARS Final Celebratory Event was held in Kirriemuir at the end of April 2018 to showcase the achievements of the project. All final evaluation reports and accounts have now been submitted to Historic Environment Scotland.
Outcomes
- Glengate Hall was the first priority project to receive grant funding for restoration/repairs to the external building fabric. The project also received funding for internal works from the Scottish Government via the Empty Homes Loan Fund. Refurbishment works to convert the building into nine apartments for social rent was completed, and the building occupied.
- The Airlie Arms Hotel is now under new ownership and has been renovated internally and externally to upgrade this listed building’s appearance within the town centre. CARS grant assistance was offered but declined by the new owners. Business doing well promoting local food and offering accommodation for visitors.
- The vacant and derelict building at 1-7 Roods has also been repaired externally under CARS grant assistance and the building refurbished internally to accommodate a barber’s shop on the ground floor with flatted accommodation above.