Boost for Edinburgh and Lothians community groups from the Scottish Land Fund

Three projects in Edinburgh and Midlothian are set to share in £392,611 following funding from the Scottish Land Fund. The money will allow the groups to take ownership of local assets and put them to use for the benefit of their local communities.

Amongst the groups receiving funding is Bruntsfield St Oswald’s Ltd, which has received £214,713 with which to purchase St Oswald’s Church and Hall in order to develop them into a community facility providing wraparound childcare and to serve as a meeting place for local groups.

Penicuik Community Development Trust has been given £130,000 to purchase the Pen-y-Coe Press building, which they have developed into Scotland’s only Papermaking Museum, complete with working vintage printing presses, which are operated by volunteers to provide printing services that create income for Trust activities.

And Colinton Village Enterprise SCIO has been given £47,898 to purchase a former coach house in Colinton in order to operate a community hub from the building.

These awards are amongst 29, totalling £3.6 million, shared by groups across Scotland in the latest round of grants from the Scottish Land Fund.

David Urch, Chair of Bruntsfield St.Oswald's: said, “We are absolutely delighted to hear that our application for funds to purchase St. Oswald's Church and Hall has been approved by the Scottish Land Fund. This money, together with additional funds for refurbishment, as well as the continuing hard work and dedication of our team, will breathe life into an historic building and bring it into local ownership. Its development as a vibrant community hub to provide genuine public and affordable space for childcare, youth clubs and services, learning and development opportunities for local primary school children, as well space for community groups and services for the elderly, will be well received and of great benefit to all in the Bruntsfield area.”

Lorraine O’Shea, Trustee, Colinton Village Enterprise SCIO, said: “It was wonderful to receive the very positive news of our successful Scottish Land Fund application. This important funding will allow us to purchase an asset for the community, a great way to end an otherwise difficult year and allow us to develop our plans into 2021 and beyond.”

And Revd. Nick Bowry, Chairman, Penicuik Community Development Trust, said: “The PCDT is grateful for the award of this grant from the Scottish Land Fund. This crucial funding will not only ensure the survival of our community hub in the Pen-y-Coe Press at the heart of Penicuik, but enable us to further develop our activities. We aim to preserve the memories and honour the heritage of old Penicuik through our Paper Making Heritage Museum and to support the nurturing of a new caring community for Penicuik in the 21st century. The events of 2020 have reminded us of the importance of a caring and resilient community.”

Land Reform Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham said: “The coronavirus pandemic has continued to set us all unprecedented challenges throughout 2020, acutely affecting local communities right across Scotland, and beyond.

“But despite these challenges – in fact, because of them - communities up and down the country are playing an increasingly vital role in maintaining and building our resilience, our spirit and local support networks.

“I commend the latest recipients of Scottish Land Fund grants for driving forward plans to support and enhance their local areas as part of our Green recovery, in what are clearly difficult circumstances. I am particularly pleased that, through what is the final round of funding for this year, the Scottish Land Fund is supporting such a high number of unique and diverse projects, and I look forward to these projects delivering on their ambitions in the new year.”

Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at HIE, said: “These successful projects announced today are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”

And John Watt, Chair, Scottish Land Fund Committee said: “The groups across Edinburgh and the Lothians that are sharing in £392,611 of funding are now in a unique position to take control of land and property assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come.”