AN observatory, a route walked by pilgrims centuries ago and a cottage hospital are among projects to receive millions of pounds in lottery funding.
More than £7 million is being shared out amongst six different restoration schemes in a bid to preserve some of the country's best-loved historic features.
The Govanhill baths in Glasgow were closed in 2001 but reopened in 2012 as a community art venue, and will now be given £1.2 million to speed up restoration of the ladies’ and learners’ pools and the Turkish suite.
The former Steamie will also be turned into a theatre venue and community events space.
The City Observatory on Calton Hill in, Edinburgh, regarded as the birthplace of astronomy and timekeeping in the capital, will receive a grant of £1.3m to conserve and restore its original architecture and create a new-build contemporary visual art gallery space and permanent home for the Collective Gallery.
Around £1.5m is also being given to Inverness to revitalise one of its oldest streets. Academy Street, home to key historic buildings, will be subject to restoration work while funds will also be used to provide tourism and business training for shop owners.
Other projects receiving funding include Kirkcudbright Art Gallery, which has been given a grant of £931,200, the Davidson Cottage Hospital, Girvan, which is to be restored and turned into offices and studios thanks to a £1.39million grant, and the Fife Pilgrim Way.
The Way is a long distance walking route from Culross/North Queensferry to St Andrews, which follows much of the original routes walked by medieval pilgrims.
Dame Seona Reid, Chair of HLF’s Scotland Committee, said: “Heritage is firmly at the centre of shaping and improving local quality of life. In practical terms, heritage projects can provide training and education, encourage tourism and kick-start regeneration, but heritage is also important in emotional terms.
"Research shows that investing in heritage can make people happier about where they live, and enhance their sense of identity.
"Towns and communities across Scotland are realising that far from being a dead hand on development and regeneration, heritage can be the catalyst that encourages both. And let’s not forget that this important investment is only possible because of the National Lottery players.”
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