BEFS informs, debates & advocates on opportunities & challenges facing Scotland's built environment. Historic Environment Scotland supported. 🔗 https://www.befs.org.ukhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mz3iwjyxpr2pJoin The Heritage Alliance for Heritage Debate 2026, bringing together leading voices in the sector to discuss how heritage can stay relevant today. This free, online event takes place on 18 November 2026 from 11am-1pm. Book your place: https://bit.ly/4kc8sf830 Oct 2026 09:50 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mz3iwjyxpr2phttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3myzifap3e42a55% of surveyors say skills shortages are reducing their capacity to meet demand, according to findings published in RICS Surveying Skills Report 2026. Explore the full report, and the implication for the built environment sector, here: https://bit.ly/4yq0gLR29 Oct 2026 14:35 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3myzifap3e42ahttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mywpckguvd2nBEFS was pleased to join RICS Scotland at the Enterprise Forum’s Scottish Business Reception on Tuesday, hearing cross-sector leaders and the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport share their vision for the Scottish economy.28 Oct 2026 12:00 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mywpckguvd2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3myucpi2azc24There are over 30 events and training opportunities coming up this October and November in BEFS Bulletin! From regeneration and sustainability to heritage science and building maintenance, there’s plenty to get involved in. See the full selection: https://bit.ly/4hYYjkP27 Oct 2026 13:10 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3myucpi2azc24https://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3myrmnpr4l42nBEFS is pleased to welcome the Scottish Castles Association (SCA) as a new Member! The SCA promotes the preservation, study and use of Scotland’s castles. They are currently developing a national archive of Scotland’s castles – learn more: https://bit.ly/4i4aJX926 Oct 2026 11:30 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3myrmnpr4l42nhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3myk3js3dhd2yMàiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, has responded to a letter sent by BEFS Places of Worship Forum requesting clarity on the future of Scotland’s Places of Worship pilot fund. Read the Cabinet Secretary’s full response: https://bit.ly/4zNGmvy23 Oct 2026 11:35 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3myk3js3dhd2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3myhendpt422k💬 From outdoor access to hyperscale data centres, upcoming Scottish Parliament consultations seek views on a range of issues. Explore new consultation opportunities in BEFS Bulletin 406: https://bit.ly/4hYYjkP22 Oct 2026 09:40 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3myhendpt422khttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3myf3vor7hg2jBEFS Bulletin 406 is out now! This edition covers new consultations, sector skills and funding updates: https://bit.ly/4hYHPJj21 Oct 2026 11:58 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3myf3vor7hg2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3myeqk4dwp72c🎧 Tune into Architecture & Design Scotland's podcast Value of Design; their latest episode explores the role of architecture in a world shaped by climate change, considering circular construction and material passports: https://bit.ly/4zaa8dp21 Oct 2026 08:35 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3myeqk4dwp72chttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mycdyerj3k23The Scottish Government has announced increased funding for Modern Apprenticeships. Providers of apprenticeship places will see a 10% funding rise in 2027-28 - an £8.8 million uplift applying to all types of apprenticeship frameworks. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4yFiHNO20 Oct 2026 09:45 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mycdyerj3k23https://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mya4qj3a732d💭 Would you like to learn traditional skills or access professional development in the built environment sector? Apply now for Glasgow City Heritage Trust's training grants, open until the end of March 2027: https://bit.ly/4dkiWVL19 Oct 2026 12:30 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mya4qj3a732dhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mxyibgbvcm2h🛠️ A new toolkit, released by Under One Roof in partnership with the University of Strathclyde, aims to help tenement owners form owners' associations to keep their buildings in good repair. Download it for free: https://bit.ly/4zi2Nss16 Oct 2026 11:35 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxyibgbvcm2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mxvqsyk2ih23📝 From traditional building maintenance to finance and fundraising, there are plenty of training opportunities coming up across the sector this October and November. See the details in BEFS Bulletin 405: https://bit.ly/4zESLlx15 Oct 2026 09:30 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxvqsyk2ih23https://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mxtod2xl7t2hIs commercial-to-residential conversion a new model for climate resilient city building? An article discusses key learnings from Canadian retrofit exemplars: https://bit.ly/4cLU60F14 Oct 2026 13:40 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxtod2xl7t2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mxquwliap62n💬 Share your views on HES's proposed updates to the Historic Environment Policy for Scotland, the national policy that guides decision-making affecting the historic environment. The public consultation closes on 3 December 2026: https://bit.ly/4B2XheM13 Oct 2026 11:00 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxquwliap62nhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mxo75dcu3w2iAs Heritage Careers Week (5-9 October) aimed to raise awareness of routes into the sector, HES’s latest Employers’ Skills Survey shows 8 in 10 heritage employers report skills gaps. Learn more about the skills gap and career pathways: https://bit.ly/4jKFe7012 Oct 2026 09:25 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxo75dcu3w2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mxguq253zq24BEFS has responded to the National Lottery Good Causes Funding consultation, highlighting positive outcomes produced by National Lottery Heritage Fund project funding and noting its importance in a challenging context for delivery costs: https://bit.ly/4htoSya09 Oct 2026 11:30 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxguq253zq24https://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mxeamufod322SURF, Scotland's Regeneration Forum, has revealed the shortlist for the 2026 SURF Awards! 15 projects have been shortlisted across 5 categories, with Derek Rankine, BEFS Head of Policy, a judge for the Improving Scotland's Places category. Learn more: https://bit.ly/47AiS0J08 Oct 2026 10:25 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxeamufod322https://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mxbxairr2r2zBEFS Bulletin 405 is out now! Featuring news from the SURF Awards, plans for a new Retrofit Centre and BEFS response to the National Lottery Good Causes Funding consultation: https://bit.ly/4zESLlx07 Oct 2026 12:31 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxbxairr2r2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mx75qgs6yv2gTour guides, archaeologists, blacksmiths, stone masons and more - they all make up Scotland’s historic environment sector. SHEA 2026 shows that the historic environment produces 84,000+ full time equivalent jobs across the sector. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3UyvAKm06 Oct 2026 09:50 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx75qgs6yv2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mx4nkiywys2h"Too many heritage buildings reach crisis before help arrives" - a key conclusion from a new report by BEFS Member Historic Houses, with recommendations relevant to Scotland. Read their exploration of 'at risk' heritage here: https://bit.ly/4rvSvSQ05 Oct 2026 09:55 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx4nkiywys2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mwv3lstv4y2mHow much vacant or derelict land is there in Scotland – and what has been done to bring it back to use? New statistics published by the Scottish Government reveal the extent and state of such land: https://bit.ly/3UOztuJ02 Oct 2026 09:45 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwv3lstv4y2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mwstj57b2s2k🏰 The Scottish Castles Association is developing a national record of Scotland's castles, aiming to create an evidence base for education, conservation and decision-making. The launch will be marked by a fundraising dinner on 18 November 2026. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4AEpfxi01 Oct 2026 12:15 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwstj57b2s2khttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mwqb3msfno2h🏠 SHEA 2026 shows that £6.6bn is needed to convert Scotland's pre-1919 homes to be more sustainable. Explore the full findings on repair and maintenance: https://bit.ly/3UyvAKm30 Sep 2026 11:40 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwqb3msfno2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mwnvwlj5os2jResearch funded by BEFS Member the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland will help record, analyse and preserve Scotland's medieval carved stones – some housed in churches earmarked for closure and sale, making this research timely. Read more: https://bit.ly/4yFH9OE29 Sep 2026 13:15 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwnvwlj5os2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mwlkrjjuft2jHES's Centre of Excellence for Canals and Traditional Skills will host a new facility for the retrofit of traditional buildings, backing Scotland's net zero goals through a research-led approach. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4ALZHi728 Sep 2026 14:50 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwlkrjjuft2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mwky2i3dxa2p🔧 £3.8bn in economic activity is attributable to the repair and maintenance of Scotland's pre-1919 buildings, supporting industry suppliers across the sector. Explore the findings in SHEA 2026: https://bit.ly/3UyvAKm28 Sep 2026 09:15 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwky2i3dxa2phttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mwdzeqpi7q2yAI Data Centres have sparked debate across Scotland. Now, BEFS Member The Scottish Civic Trust has produced a guide on the topic. Read more: https://bit.ly/3T2OyYU25 Sep 2026 14:50 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwdzeqpi7q2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mwdimdrleg2fScotland's Garden and Landscape Heritage is seeking a Trustee! If you have good knowledge of historic gardens, landscapes and the built environment, apply now to help protect this valuable aspect of Scotland's heritage. Apply by Thursday 15 October: https://bit.ly/3V5miWo25 Sep 2026 09:50 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwdimdrleg2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/thebefs.bsky.social/post/3mwbepqpmwn2s📋 Historic Environment Scotland is seeking views on future guidance for conservation area management, following updates on the withdrawal of PAN 71: Conservation Area Management and other planning publications. Have your say before 31 October: https://bit.ly/4cSrx1Q24 Sep 2026 13:35 +0000at://did:plc:nkrnakfobevbjechipe27rbt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwbepqpmwn2s