Overview

• Historic Environment Scotland has awarded about £75,000 to the Birse Community Trust to repair and conserve the Souter’s Shop under its Historic Environment Grants programme.
• The late‑Victorian workshop in Birse, listed Category A in 2000, is described as the only known example of its kind in Scotland with original tools, shoes and ledgers intact.
• Council records and surveys cite failing roof, timbers, chimney and glazing, with damp, beetle infestation and rodents putting the contents at risk.
• Volunteer training has started to pack and decant the collection and carry out basic conservation ahead of building works scheduled to begin in spring 2026.
• The project plans traditional‑skills repairs and will offer on‑site visits plus a virtual exhibition and online tour once the site is stabilized.