ELEVEN rundown Scots churches are in line for a facelift in the New Year thanks to a £1.5 million funding boost.
The churches will use the money from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Historic Scotland to carry out urgent and essential building repairs.
The funding will ensure the churches are once again wind and watertight for parishioners and local community groups.
One of the churches to benefit is St Agnes in Lambhill, Glasgow – renowned for its Pugin architecture – which got £125,000 to go towards a new roof.
Parish priest Father Noel Barry said: "The roof is pretty much beyond its sell-by date and is in need of a considerable amount of work.
"We're working on having the work carried out in two stages and this money will go towards the first phase of that, although the total project will cost around £500,000."
Colin McLean, head of the Heritage Lottery fund said he was "delighted" to offer support to Scotland's churches.
He said: "Scotland has an amazing variety of churches, each one reflecting the social history of its community as well as the architectural influences of the time.
"They give each town and village a sense of identity while providing an important venue not just for worship but for a wide array of community groups.
"HLF is delighted to be able to help these congregations secure the future of their churches and hope that over the festive period visitors through their doors will take time to appreciate the history and heritage around them."
Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for Culture and External Affairs, also welcomed the news. She said: "Our churches play a key role in Scotland's history and heritage and sense of place.
"They are architecturally important places of worship, but are also at the heart of many communities where they offer meeting places for a wide range of activities. It is vital that we do all we can to ensure they are properly protected and maintained."
The churches in line for the funding were all selected for their unique architecture and features, which range from enamelled panels by artist Pheobe Traquair to the last remaining water-driven organ and bells system in Scotland.
St Mary's Episcopal Church in Dalkeith is home to the hydraulically blown organ – made by Hamilton and Miller of Edinburgh. It got £95,400 of funding.
The church, situated at the entrance to Dalkeith Country Park, needs its lead guttering and damaged timber and masonry repaired.
St Johns and Kings Park Church, also in Dalkeith, received £221,400 for a major overhaul of slates, flashing, drains, ridges and stonework.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Dunoon, which features a stained-glass arch window by Mayer and Company of Munich, received £247,400.
Sandbank Parish Church, also in Dunoon, has received £125,000 for roof repairs.
St John's Episcopal Church in Alloa was granted £250,000 for repairs to the roof and stonework. The Gothic church houses the Traquair panels, as well as high-quality stained glass and a reredos of Sicilian marble.
Cumbernauld Old Parish Church, which features two large stained-glass windows by prolific artist Gordon Webster, was awarded £111,800.
Limekilns Parish Church in Fife, built in 1785 and famed for its grand neo-Classical façade, received £205,000.
Cairneyhill Parish Church, in Fife, was given £152,700 to go towards new traditional lime harling in a bid to fix serious damp problems.
The Church of St James The Less in Penicuik, which features fine stained-glass windows, received £65,500 for repairs to the roof and tower.
St Mary's Of The Assumption in Dufftown is in a dangerous state and is rarely used because of dry rot. A total of £123,900 will go towards making the building safe for use again.
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