Rothesay is to get a £1.5million boost following the announcement this week of a new grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, as part of HLF's Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

The town will receive £1.5million in earmarked funding, with a further £50,000 of development funding.

The Townscape Heritage Initiative is a unique approach to urban regeneration and sustainable development using heritage as the catalyst. Run-down areas are regenerated by repairing and giving new uses to historic buildings, making them more appealing places to invest, work and live in. To date HLF has invested over £30million in 26 town centres across Scotland, levering many millions more in partnership funding and bringing real economic benefit to the towns.

The THI focuses on the heart of the town, Guildford Square, adjacent to the Rothesay's medieval royal castle. Numerous regeneration projects will be undertaken to improve the area making it a more attractive place for visitors to stay.

Commenting from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Colin McLean, said: "Looking after our heritage is an incredibly effective way of supporting community life generally. This is recognised in today's Government strategy for improving quality of place. Serious investment like this goes well beyond looking after the bricks and mortar of a building, bringing with it substantial social and economic benefits too.

"Our research shows that these schemes can really help turn local economies around, not only by improving how run-down historic towns look and feel, but also by prompting business start-ups and creating new jobs. This investment means that more town centres will enjoy the far-reaching benefits of this highly successful initiative.

"We are delighted to be able to work with Argyll and Bute Council in revitalising the historic core of Rothesay and Campbeltown. Today is a step towards a brighter future for these communities."

Argyll and Bute Council Leader Dick Walsh said: "This is excellent news, not only for Campbeltown and Rothesay but for the whole of Argyll and Bute. This funding represents a huge boost to plans for the regeneration of our town centres and complements capital investments already made or earmarked for future developments.

"Against all the odds, the economic future of our area is looking positive, and the council's decision to invest in that future during a time of recession is already beginning to bear fruit, attracting both public and private investment. Planning for the regeneration and development of our towns is now well underway and we are clear about what it is we are wanting to achieve and how we are going to achieve it.

"However, in planning for the future, the legacy of our architecture and its history must be preserved. Monies from the Heritage Lottery Fund will help us to ensure that the unique character of each of our towns is not lost."

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