War Memorials Trust
 

Small Grants Scheme in Scotland

Works to freestanding war memorials in Scotland are eligible for support under the Small Grants Scheme in Scotland, funded primarily by Historic Scotland.

The scheme can fund up to 75% of eligible costs with a maximum of £7,500 per project. There are no deadlines for submission and applications are accepted all year round. Decisions are made at the end of each month, EXCEPT October and November. Any applications submitted during October and November will be decided in mid-December.

This grants scheme will support works that aim to repair and protect the memorial’s historic fabric and maintain its commemorative function without damaging the overall appearance and setting or altering the features that give each memorial its historic or architectural character.

Eligible works include:

Conservation and repair of war memorials

  • Urgent and necessary repairs to the fabric including structural stabilisation 
  • Works to improve the legibility of eroded inscriptions 
  • Cleaning, where the surface build-up is damaging to the fabric and renders the inscriptions illegible 
  • Conservation works to hard landscaping part of the memorial’s design

Surveys

  • Condition surveys assessing the extent of damage and establishing appropriate restoration strategies
  • Fees of a conservation accredited professional adviser

Restoration

Reinstatement of lost elements when supported by historical evidence

Ineligible works include:

  • General maintenance costs 
  • Cleaning for purely cosmetic reasons 
  • Reconstruction/restoration not based on firm historic evidence 
  • Replacements at odds with the war memorial’s design 
  • New work, additions or alterations to the war memorial’s design and setting 
  • Any works that may be considered to be damaging or detrimental to the memorial 
  • Work already started and/or completed 
  • Creation of new war memorials

The scheme is open to anyone to apply, individuals or organisations. However if you are not responsible for the war memorial we do ask you to provide written proof that you have the custodian’s consent to carry out the proposed works.

Download a copy of the 'Small Grants Scheme in Scotland guidance notes'.

If you already have an idea of what works are required but they are not eligible under this scheme, you should check whether they could be funded under our Small Grants Scheme.

In order to clarify which grant scheme is right for your project and to receive an application form, you need to submit an 'Expression of interest form'.