A NEW initiative in a Eyemouth aims to preserve historic buildings by teaching traditional skills.

The pilot project, launched by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT), hopes to tackle the shortage of traditional construction skills while providing career paths for local people.

The SHBT, one of the UK's largest building preservation trusts, has secured funding for a feasibility study from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

This study will identify buildings in Eyemouth that need repair and conservation, and develop a skills training curriculum for the town.

Owners of historic properties in the town are encouraged to participate in the project.

They can either submit their buildings or recommend others that would benefit from restoration.

Dr Samuel Gallacher, director of the SHBT, said: "Inspired by the National Trust for Scotland’s Little Houses Improvement Scheme and driven by the critical traditional building skills shortage in rural areas, this new model promises to both save historic buildings and provide aspirational and meaningful career paths for local people who want to learn and work in the area they grew up in.

"We are excited by the socio-economic benefits of this approach, helping to counter the negative impacts of unmaintained historic buildings in small towns and villages."

The SHBT is collaborating with two local consultants to carry out the feasibility study.

Adams Napier Partnership, a firm of chartered building surveyors and heritage consultants, will conduct building identification and condition assessments.

Their assessments will help identify historically significant buildings in need of repair, conservation, and restoration.

They will also engage in dialogue with owners about their willingness to participate in the scheme.

Kevin McClure, of Elements Scotland, will lead the development of the skills training curriculum.

A joiner and educator, Mr McClure will design a programme that addresses Eyemouth’s specific needs and celebrates its cultural heritage, while creating opportunities for skill-building.

Colin Tennant, head of technical conservation at Historic Environment Scotland said: "We welcome Scottish Historic Buildings Trust’s ingenuity and initiative to propose this fresh approach to dealing with some of our historic built environment’s most entrenched issues: skills and rural dereliction.

"Historic Environment Scotland is delighted to support this feasibility work and will be providing our knowledge and advice to help steer this important project."

A public event will be held in February to provide more information about the project.

Owners of historic buildings interested in the project can contact Jess Burrows, SHBT Project Officer, at jess.burrows@shbt.org.uk.