Scotland’s first National Conservation Centre to be launched

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced that Scotland's first National Conservation Centre for training young people in traditional building skills is to be established in Stirling.

The Government’s new Young Scots Fund will contribute £3 million towards the Centre, which will be based at two locations in Stirling, in a partnership between Historic Scotland, Stirling Council and Forth Valley College.
The Centre will be based in the Forthside area of Stirling in 2014 and will be based in a former railway engine shed, with a second stone masonry training facility at the Forth Valley College. The Centre will focus on reviving scarce technical skills and promoting best practice in conservation.
Fiona Hyslop said: ‘Scotland is a creative nation, and we want our young people to be the best they can be. Developing and nurturing their skills and creativity is crucial for the country’s economic future. To allow our young people to realise their potential, it is vital that we celebrate our emerging youth talent and provide opportunities for it to flourish.
 ‘That is what our Young Scots Fund will do. Over the next four years, it will provide £50 million of support focused on developing the potential of our youngsters in sport, enterprise and creativity.
 ‘The new National Centre for Youth Arts will be a fantastic resource for young creative talent, while our investment in the National Conservation Centre will help sustain and develop the traditional building skills needed to secure the future of Scotland’s historic environment.  It is also part of our strategy to halt the loss of such skills and expertise.’
 
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