Funding to secure jobs and future of Dundonald Castle visitor centre
The charity has received a share of nearly £2m.
Lifeline funding has been secured by Friends of Dundonald Castle which promises to safeguard jobs and the future of its visitor centre.
The tourist attraction in South Ayrshire was the home to Scots King Robert II, grandson of Robert the Bruce.
It is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The charity has now received £39,575 from the Historic Environment Recovery Fund. It is allocated by Scottish Government and Historic Environment Scotland.
As well as protecting its future, the funding will also enable the organisation to focus on increasing their digital presence and produce online learning resources.
Lauren Welsh from Friends of Dundonald Castle said, "It's been a really big change for us to now have to rely on money coming in in this way. But without it, it would be really difficult for us to continue to be there.
"It's so important to us. It's going to enable many of our key members of staff to continue to work during the pandemic and ensure that we're in a really good place to open again when we're allowed to do so.
"It's also lovely recognition for our whole team and our community. It says that we're doing something right and that they feel the need to support us and ensure we survive through these difficult times."
Alex Paterson, Chief Executive at HES, said: "By helping to protect jobs, reopen historic sites and maintaining investment in traditional skills training and apprenticeships, we hope to support the wider recovery of the sector and Scotland’s economy.
“While historic sites and visitor attractions have been impacted by the closure of sites throughout the 2020 visitor season and the loss of revenue, other organisations in the sector have also had to adapt the way in which they carry out their work, put crucial traditional skills training and educational activities on hold and look at new ways to generate income, and we hope that this funding will allow the recipients to prepare for the future.
“The historic environment sector provides countless benefits to local communities – including providing jobs and generating tourism spend - and it is vital that we support these organisations and ensure their important work can continue as we face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and seek to harness opportunities ahead.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland is internationally renowned for the quality and diversity of its historic environment. Our historic environment plays a crucial role in defining who we are as a nation, supporting wellbeing and sustainability within communities and promoting a positive image of Scotland across the world.
"I am pleased that a wide range of projects will benefit from Scottish Government funding as part of the Historic Environment Recovery Fund. The support delivered through this fund will safeguard our shared heritage for future generations, protect jobs and help to strengthen Scotland’s wider economic recovery.”
Hear all the latest news from across Ayrshire on the hour, every hour, at West FM. Listen on FM, via our West FM app, on your DAB radio, online at WESTFM.co.uk, or say ‘Play WEST FM’ on your Smart Speaker.