Scottish museums share £862k through the Repair and Adaptation Fund
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 by upgrading facilities and making essential repairs. Many of the awarded projects focus on environmental sustainability, with museums seeking to reduce their climate impact and improve operational efficiency.
Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture said:
“Scotland’s museums and galleries care for, and present, our nation’s many stories so that they can be understood and celebrated by future generations. The Scottish Government’s increased funding delivered through the Repair and Adaptation Fund underlines our continued commitment to supporting the sector to make the urgent changes needed to ensure the buildings, and their collections, are preserved for years to come.”
Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland said:
“We are pleased to support these capital investment projects, made possible by a welcome uplift from the Scottish Government in this year’s budget. This increase acknowledges the challenges faced by the museum sector in making sure Scotland’s collections are well cared for, and as we expected, demand for this round of the Repair and Adaptation Fund has been high.
“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. This essential work will help to maintain the internal environmental conditions required to preserve the museum’s nationally significant collections. Additionally, the museum will use part of its funding to conduct a building conditions survey to identify potential risks and further maintenance needs. Tarbat Discovery Centre and Stromness Museum will also 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. These works are part of their action plan for reaching operational net zero by 2030. Glencoe Folk Museum has received £100,000 to support a programme of improvements to enhance the level of accessibility for its visitors. This includes a new entrance way with a button-operated door, a new exterior path, and a hearing loop system throughout the museum.
Sue John, Director of Glasgow Women’s Library said:
“This crucial funding will enable us to proceed into phase two of our net zero plan, having already successfully completed phase one, entailing the installation of internal and external insulation. 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.”
Image: Glasgow Women’s Library Net Zero handbook.
Linda Fitzpatrick, Head Curator at The Scottish Fisheries Museum said:
“The Scottish Fisheries Museum is delighted to have received support from the Repair and Adaptation Fund. Our historic buildings add hugely to our visitors’ experience but are complex to maintain and operate. This award will enable us to secure their fabric and to upgrade essential systems to improve the safety and accessibility of our facilities.”
Image: Scottish Fisheries Museum.
Rachel Jackson, Museums Galleries Archives Operations Lead at Arbroath Signal Tower Museum said:
“Thanks to Museums Galleries Scotland we are able to undertake this project to replace the rotten sea-facing windows, a vital step in protecting one of Arbroath’s most important historic buildings and the collections within. The repairs will also enhance the visitor experience, ensuring that the museum continues to inspire for years to come.”
Image: Arbroath Signal Tower Museum.
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 currently 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.
