Rothesay Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)

Rothesay Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)

Background and what we plan to do:

The delivery of a Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), which is a heritage led regeneration scheme for a selected area within the Rothesay Town Centre Conservation Area.

The Rothesay THI project seeks to focus on a core area of Rothesay Town Centre. This area is centred around Guildford Square and includes Watergate, West Princess Street, Bishop Street and Montague Street.

It includes:

• The regeneration of Guildford Square including the redevelopment of a key gap site.


• Regeneration of Watergate and includes bringing back into use the vacant building at 9 -13 Watergate.


• Improvement of West Prince’s Street including shop front improvements.


• Repairs to target buildings including 1-13 Montague Street, Duncan’s Hall, Guildford Court.


• Shop front repairs on Montague Street and Watergate Street.


• Community engagement.


• Training.


• Factoring and maintenance.

In recognition of the special built heritage value of the Rothesay Outstanding Conservation Area and the need for investment in the built fabric of the town centre the Heritage Lottery Fund, through its THI grants scheme, has awarded a Stage One Pass to Argyll and Bute Council. The Stage One Pass means that monies, namely £1.5 million of a predicted £2.5 million total expenditure has been earmarked by the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the project, assuming that a fully developed Stage Two application is developed, submitted and approved to secure the full grant. Full detailed proposals will require to be worked up over the next year as part of the Stage One development phase. The Council has now appointed a Project Officer for Rothesay THI to develop the project and submit the Stage 2 bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund by April 2010.