McLellan Galleries and ‘smallest observatory’ among £7m investment plan sites

More than £7 million will be invested in town centres across Scotland to save at-risk heritage sites.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund cash will be split between Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street, Airdrie, Girvan and Tarbert.

Some £2.3 million will go to developing a culture and heritage district for Sauchiehall Street – one of the busiest areas of Glasgow.

The investment will preserve the historic McLellan Galleries, which will be used by The Scottish Ensemble, Glasgow Film and Articulate.

The Victorian Cameron memorial fountain will also be restored while housing, green space and building improvement programmes will be looked at.

Girvan in South Ayrshire will receive £2.5 million to be spent on a series of projects including the Stair Park bandstand, the Stumpy Jail steeple, the former Dalrymple Street bank and McKechnie Institute.

The National Lottery said the investment will improve accessibility and biodiversity, and increase local heritage learning and skills.

Airdrie in North Lanarkshire will receive £1.4 million to restore and redevelop Airdrie library and what the National Lottery said was “Scotland’s smallest observatory” based there.

Cash will also go to a shopfront improvement scheme.

In Argyll and Bute, Tarbert will see £850,000 which will include a project to return 10 vacant properties to residential use, repairing the fishermen’s store buildings on the quayside, restoring shopfronts and delivering community heritage events and traditional skills training for young people.

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This marks an exciting moment, with fantastic investments in places that connect communities with their heritage gems.

“From Glasgow’s iconic Sauchiehall Street, a place woven into decades of shared memories, to transforming the oldest public library in Scotland to celebrate the stories, people and places that shape us.

“Understanding how communities feel about their heritage is vital to meaningful regeneration and we’re proud to invest in four exceptional places where historic buildings will be restored and repurposed for everyone to enjoy, now and for generations.

“Thanks to National Lottery players over the last 30 years, we’ve invested over £1 billion in 5,100 projects in Scotland ensuring heritage is valued, cared for and sustained.

“These projects will boost wellbeing, create learning opportunities for young people and make heritage a powerful driver of local pride and prosperity.”

Katie Duffy, head of arts and music at Glasgow Life, said: “We’re very grateful for this £2.3 million National Lottery investment, which allows us to renew several of the street’s historic and cultural assets.

“Through careful regeneration, community-focused projects, and cultural programmes, we hope to bring new life to Sauchiehall Street while respecting its heritage and the role it plays in people’s everyday lives.

“This funding supports us in working with communities and partners, to ensure the significant value and contribution of the street to the city is realised over the coming decade and that it continues to have an impactful role in Glasgow’s cultural landscape.”

Councillor Alec Clark, depute leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: “This is fantastic news and I would like to thank the Heritage Fund. Their contribution is going to make a huge difference!

“Funding for the Girvan’s Story project gives us the opportunity to transform the town centre.

“We’re set to deliver significant improvements to landmark buildings and in tandem introduce traditional skills workshops to help boost employment opportunities.

“Community engagement has been key; we will continue to put the community at the heart of this long-term regeneration project.”

North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue said: “Our Rediscovering Airdrie project is helping to regenerate the town by protecting and celebrating its history, and the fantastic support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will allow us to continue to promote the people and places of Airdrie for the future.

“Airdrie was the site of the first public library in Scotland and a key part of our project is the development of the current Airdrie library, which is also home to the only public observatory held in a public library in Europe.

“The project will create a resource for all our residents, offering facilities and services at the heart of the town.”

Argyll and Bute Council leader Jim Lynch said: “I am delighted that we have been successful in securing this funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“We are committed to protecting Argyll and Bute’s historic built environment and this project places our heritage at the heart of community renewal, helping our local spaces thrive while protecting the character that makes Tarbert so special.

“By restoring and safeguarding these historic buildings, we’re not only preserving our past but also creating new opportunities for the community to flourish.

“Enhancing these much‑loved landmarks will support local pride, encourage sustainable use of our shared spaces and strengthen the village’s appeal for both residents and visitors.

“I look forward to seeing this project bring lasting benefits for people across the area – now and for future generations.”