A Glasgow cemetery which forms an important part of Scotland’s Jewish heritage, the City Observatory Complex in Edinburgh and an extremely rare locomotive turntable in Aberdeen are amongst the latest recipients of Historic Scotland’s Building Repairs Grants Scheme.

More than £1.6 million has been awarded in total, which will be invested in eight projects across the country to repair and restore historic buildings as well as helping to support an end use which is beneficial to the surrounding community.

Fiona Hyslop, the cabinet secretary for culture, Europe and external affairs announced the latest award recipients at Castle Mill Works, the former North British Rubber Company offices, in central Edinburgh, which itself has been awarded £500,000 as part of the scheme. The only surviving structure from what was at one point the city’s largest industrial site, occupying over 30 hectares and employing 3,000 people, Edinburgh Printmakers plan to restore the building to create a thriving visual arts centre and a hub for creative enterprises housing printmaking facilities, galleries and education resources.

Speaking from the site, Ms Hyslop, said: “This scheme helps to protect and promote, as well as transform and bring back into use, some of Scotland’s most historically and architecturally significant buildings.

“This magnificent former Victorian factory in Fountainbridge, is one of eight projects in total, throughout Scotland, to receive grant funding and aims to see this derelict building once again filled with purpose and a take on a new role as a creative arts hub.

“Across the country, historic buildings which played an important role in our past also have an important role to play in our future, with schemes such as these helping to tell a new chapter in the building and its surrounding community’s future.”

In October 2015 the new lead public body for Scotland’s historic environment, Historic Environment Scotland, brings together Historic Scotland and The Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments (RCAHMS’).

Chair Jane Ryder said: “As we move towards the launch of this new organisation it’s fantastic to see the continuing commitment from the Scottish Government to invest in schemes which protect some of the most at risk buildings in the country. By doing so they are enabling people to play their part in protecting the heritage on their doorstep as well as contributing to the nation’s extraordinary built heritage.”

Recipients of the funding are as follows:

The scheme welcomes applications three times a year, and is a competitive process which takes account of the wider benefits that a repair project may provide such as community engagement, promoting sustainable economic and rural development, reinforcing local identity and the development of traditional skills.

Applications are now being accepted for the next round of funding. More information and eligibility criteria can be found at http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/grants.