It has distributed tens of millions of pounds in 2011 to projects across Scotland, from the large to the small.
The latest beneficiaries of the Heritage Lottery Fund, which hands out money allocated by Camelot, are 12 churches that applied for restoration grants, approved today by the fund and Historic Scotland.
The fund's stated mission is to sustain and transform a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from, and enjoy.
From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, it has worked with communities and organisations (who are expected to play their part by fundraising too) investing in every part of Scotland's diverse heritage. Since 1994, it has invested over £500m.
So where did the money go this year, and what are the top 25 all-time biggest grants?
Heritage Lottery Fund Activities 2011
Sir John Wilson Town Hall, Airdrie. HLF contribution - £500,000: The Edwardian building is being refurbished and two extensions are being added while original period features are preserved.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh. HLF contribution - £4.8 million: The gallery has just reopened after the first refurbishment in its 120 year history. Work included opening up inaccessible parts of the building and restoring galleries on the upper floor.
Reading Bus, Aberdeen. HLF contribution £42,000: The travelling literary project produced a book and iphone app that uses colourful characters to introduce children to the area’s heritage and landmarks.
Catrine Weir, Ayrshire. HLF contribution £660,000: Investment has helped to assure the future of what was once the largest water power system in the world.
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. HLF contribution £17.8 million: The museum reopened in the summer after significant restoration work. It has welcomed over 1 million visitors since then.
Lews Castle, Stornoway. HLF contribution £4.6 million: The Isle of Lewis landmark received a grant to help its restoration and conversion into a Gaelic language museum and archive.
Glasgow Allotments heritage project, Glasgow. HLF contribution £32,000: The project has been researching and recording the story of the city’s allotment and using this as a catalyst for other activities.
Auchtermuchty Common, Fife. HLF contribution £25,500: Funding means the go-ahead for a three year conservation grazing and grassland management plan in this rare lowland grassland meadow environment.
Patrick Geddes Centre, Riddles Court, Edinburgh. HLF contribution £2.4 million: The project will rejuvenate the medieval building, uncovering key historic features in the former merchant’s house
Dalmarnock Futures, Dalmarnock. HLF contribution £29,000: The grant will help residents of Dalmarnock to research and promote their local history ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Bumblebee Conservation, Stirling. HLF contribution £340,000: The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, based at Stirling University, will work to conserve a variety of endangered bumblebee species and habitats across the UK.
Lanarkshire Mining Project, South Lanarkshire. HLF contribution £284,900. Pits, Ponies, People and Stories is a project encouraging communities to ‘adopt a mine’ and research its history.
Banockburn, Stirlingshire. HLF contribution £3.8 million: The site of one of Scotland’s greatest battles will celebrate its 700th anniversary with a new state-of-the-art visitor and interpretation centre
Sea Eagles, Scotland-wide. HLF contribution £235,000: The SEEVIEWS initiative aims to secure the future of the species, monitor their progress and engage and educate the public.
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Black Five steam train, Strathspey Railway near Aviemore. HLF contribution £50,000: The grant means that essential restoration work on the operating train’s boiler, bearings and tender water tank can go ahead.
Dalmuir Park, West Dumbartonshire. HLF contribution £859,600: The grant will help restore and repair the century-old park, including its Edwardian bandstand and fountain.
Belleisle Park, Souty Ayrshire. HLF contribution £60,000: Work will conserve the park’s historic features including a stable block, walled garden and lodge house.
Cambo Estate, Fife. HLF contribution £84,000: The Cambo Institute aims to restore the estate’s dilapidated 18th century gardens, stables and coach house so they can be used for school and community activities.
Highlanders Museum, Fort George. HLF contribution £750,000: Based in the Fort George barracks, the museum facilities will be upgraded and a genealogical research and archive centre added.
Riverside Museum, Glasgow. HLF contribution £21.6 million: Designed by Zaha Hadid, the grant for this transport museum was the Heritage Lottery Fund’s largest ever in Scotland.
Abbotsford House, Melrose. HLF contribution £144,000: Work started in the summer on the construction of a visitor centre at Sir Walter Scott’s home.
Greenock and District Scouts, Greenock. HLF contribution £6,000: A local scout group produced a film about William Quarrier, the founder of Quarriers, to mark the charity’s 140th anniversary.
Coldingham Priory, Berwickshire. HLF contribution £237,500: Restoration work to preserve the ruined Benedictine priory was completed.
Pearce Institute, Govan. HLF contribution, part of £939,000 from the Townscape Heritage Initiative Fund. The Govan landmark has received a major upgrade, which included the cleaning and restoration of its celebrated ship sculpture.
Robert Burns Birthplace Musem, Ayrshire. HLF contribution £47 million: The Alloway museum opened in January, bringing together several sites connected with the poet’s life and work including the Auld Kirk and Auld Brig O’Doon.
The all-time top 25 in Scotland
£21.6m Riverside Museum and Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (2004-5
£17.8m The Royal Museum Project, Edinburgh (2005-6)
£17.7m The John Murray Archive, Edinburgh (2004-5)
£13.2m Kelvingrove New Century Project, Glasgow (1999-2000)
£10.3m Mar Lodge, Braemar (1994-5) £8.8m Glasgow Green (1997-8)
£8m Newhailes, Musselburgh (1996-7) £7.7m Botticelli, Virgin adoring the sleeping Christ child, National Gallery (1999-2000)
£7.6m Titian, Venus rising from the sea, National Gallery (2002-3)
£7.4m Playfair Project, National Galleries, (1999-2000)
£6.8m Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (1995-6)
£6.3m Dean Gallery, Edinburgh (1996-7)
£5.8m Burns Birthplace (2006-7)
£5.2m Newsplan, Local Newspapers in Peril (1998-9)
£5.1m New Shetland Museum, (2000-1)
£5.1m Stanley Mills, Perthshire (1997-8)
£5m McManus Galleries, Dundee (2004-5)
£5m Abbotsford Trust (2008-9)
£4.9m Summerlee Heritage Park, North Lanarkshire (2004-5)
£4.8m Scottish National Portrait Gallery (2007-8)
£4.8m Mackintosh Project, Glasgow School of Art (2005-6)
£4.5m Rosslyn Chapel (2006-7)
£4.3m Highland Archive Centre (2006-7)
£3.8m Mansfield Place Church, Edinburgh (1996-7)
£3.8m Kittochside Museum of Country Life (1996-7)
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