Historic buildings on Edinburgh's Granton waterfront to be restored with £2.9m heritage funding
Historic Buildings on Edinburgh’s Granton waterfront are to be protected with new investment of £2.9 million.
Edinburgh council said the funding would bring the buildings back to life through restoring, upgrading and connecting them with the wider community.
The new money is made up of £1,346,389 from Historic Environment Scotland and £1,248,868 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Granton Lighthouse will see a full refurbishment, including major fabric repairs and improved accessibility. The work will create a new flexible, creative, learning, enterprise and community development space in the 19th century ‘C’ listed building , which will be operated by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
Madelvic House, once the headquarters for the UK’s first car factory, will undergo roof and window restoration, interior upgrades, and accessibility improvements. The ‘B’ listed building, which dates back to the 1890s, will then be used by local arts and heritage organisations.
The impressive Edwardian former Granton gasworks railway station building has already been beautifully refurbished and is occupied by social enterprise charity WASPS. But some of the new money will be used to upgrade the disused platforms and introduce a heritage arts installation along with green space that supports biodiversity.
And the council is working with the Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden to carry out structural restoration to the boundary walls and doocot. This will build on initial works the council has already carried out, helping to ensure its continued use as a community garden and food education hub.
As part of the funding, a dedicated Community Heritage Officer will also be appointed to lead a programme of heritage activities, including open days, exhibitions, walking tours, and volunteering opportunities.
The council said these events would be developed with local people and organisations to make sure they reflected the community’s interests, aspirations and the heritage they care about.
Interpretation boards will also be installed to explain the significance of the place and improve the visitor experience.
The work, which will be completed by 2030, is part of the Council’s £1.3 billion regeneration of the Granton Waterfront area.
Council leader Jane Meagher said a key aim of the project was to involve the local community in the plans for the listed buildings.
“Historic buildings play an important role in the identity and character of a place, and they are a fundamental part of our collective history and that is why it is so important to make sure that the people of Granton have a role to play in creating and enhancing that identity. This will ensure that a formerly neglected part of the city becomes a desirable place to live with a thriving community at its heart.
“As part of the restoration work we will deliver traditional skills training in partnership with Edinburgh College and local contractors will focus on construction and conservation skills that support career development and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the area’s heritage.
“This project, along with the recent refurbishment of the gasholder and creation of Gasholder 1 Park, demonstrates our commitment to celebrating the historical legacy of the area.”
Sir Mark Jones, chair of Historic Environment Scotland, said heritage had always played a pivotal role in shaping places and the historic buildings each helped to tell the story of Granton’s past. “By restoring and upgrading them, we’re ensuring they remain at the heart of its future - creating inclusive and accessible spaces for generations to come.”
And Caroline Clark, National Lottery Heritage Fund director for Scotland, said: “We are investing in Granton as a place that supports community, embraces cohesive and sustainable economic regeneration, and cultural connections with a genuine pride in place.”
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