Dornoch museum Historylinks' extension project awarded £30k 'Green Grant' to help reduce energy costs
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A COMMUNITY project to extend a museum in Dornoch has been able to enhance its environmental credentials after securing a £30,157 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
The £560,000 project to extend the Historylinks Museum is being taken forward by Dornoch Heritage SCIO, the community group that operates the attraction.
The HIE funding will support the £60,314 element of the project which focuses specifically on reducing carbon emissions and energy costs.
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This includes the installation of an air source heat pump and underfloor heating, high performance roof and wall insulation, and low energy UV glazing.
Historylinks Museum is a five star VisitScotland attraction. Its total collection has grown steadily over the years to more than 15,000 items, but less than 1000 of these have been on display at any one time owing to lack of space.
The extended facility will provide more exhibition space and help accommodate the growing number of visitors, as well as providing additional office and storage space and new toilets.
A new multi-purpose activity room will enable greater community involvement in heritage experiences.
The projected increase in turnover as a direct result of the project will also help the museum to become more financially sustainable and less reliant on donations and grants.
Karina Ross, senior development manager in HIE’s Caithness and Sutherland team, said: “This is a great example of another community-led initiative to improve a local asset and generate more income to invest in projects that benefit the community.
“I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to provide support to enhance the low carbon aspects of the project and look forward to continuing to work with the team at Historylinks Museum as the project develops.”
Alison Davies, co-chairperson of Historylinks, said: “Adding to our existing solar panels and recently installed renewable heating system in the existing museum, the Green Grant award has enabled our wonderful new extension, the Heritage Hub, to be as energy efficient and low carbon emitting as possible.
“As a community-led organisation, we feel proud and privileged to be part of the effort to move towards the country’s net zero target and we would like to thank HIE for supporting us in taking these important steps.”
Contractors GMR Henderson began work on the new extension last October and it is hoped it will be completed and ready for fitting out in April with an official opening in late summer.
