HLF is making at least £1million available per year for six years until 2019. It will provide grants between £3,000 and £10,000 enabling communities and groups right across the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage and deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict.

Community groups including those from Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh are helping to launch the scheme by exploring what the legacy of the First World War means to them and sharing their stories and projects with others hoping to mark the Centenaries.

From how school children in Glasgow are uncovering the human stories behind the names on the city’s memorials, to the life story of James Mair of Longside who became a champion of disabled servicemen, to the heroic endeavours of the seven Hearts footballers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War, there are so many stories to be told, the legacy of which continues to impact and shape the lives of our communities today.

Sebastian Faulks CBE, broadcaster, novelist, author of Birdsong and member of the Government’s First World War Centenary advisory group, said: “HLF’s First World War small grants programme is an opportunity for every street, town or village to make sure they remember the cataclysmic events of a hundred years ago. It is a chance to learn and to commemorate in whatever way they choose.''

Colin McLean, Head of HLF in Scotland, said: “The impact of the First World War was far reaching, touching and shaping every corner of the country. The Heritage Lottery Fund’s new programme will enable communities across Scotland to explore the continuing legacy of this war and help young people in particular to broaden their understanding of how it has influenced our modern world.”

Successful projects will include:

• researching, identifying and recording local heritage;
• creating a community archive or collection;
• developing new interpretation of heritage through exhibitions, trails, smartphone apps etc;
• researching, writing and performing creative material based on heritage sources; and
• The new programme can also provide funding for the conservation of war memorials.

If a grant of more than £10,000 is needed for a First World War project, applicants can apply to HLF through its open programmes. HLF has already invested £12 million in projects – large and small – that will mark the Centenary of First World War.

If you have a project idea to mark the Centenary, an online application pack is available on the programme page or by contacting the HLF Scotland Team at scotland@hlf.org.uk or 131 225 9450.

Notes to editors

Examples of HLF funded First World War projects in Scotland:

The Hard Vrocht Grun
A project to explore and display artefacts and documents from Aberdeenshire and North East Scotland’s ‘hidden’ collections will uncover the area’s fascinating but little-accessed First World War history. The Hard Vrocht Grun, a phrase that refers to both the well-worked land of North East Scotland and the hard toil in the trenches of the Western Front, will work with schools and heritage groups to produce artworks and educational resources.

Aberdeenshire Council has been awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £23,900 to uncover little known stories relating to the war in its libraries, archives and museums. These may include the story of James Mair of Longside, who was severely injured but survived the war to become a champion of disabled servicemen, and the story of the Fraserburgh fishermen awarded VCs for their wartime activities.

Their names liveth for evermore – Glasgow 1914-2014
Across Glasgow, in parks, schools, churches, graveyards, cemeteries, office foyers and factory entrances, the names of the thousands of the city’s sons and daughters killed in conflicts around the world are memorialised. A project working with schools and community groups across the city aims to highlight the human stories behind the names. The memorial project, which is led by Historic Glasgow, Glasgow City Council’s local heritage and archaeology strategy, has been made possible by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £77,500. 

A website, app and learning resources to be accessed by visitors and the community during the World War One centenary year of 2014 will be produced. These will feature the results of genealogical research by trained volunteers, education staff and school groups.

Big Hearts Heritage Project
Heart of Midlothian Football Club in Edinburgh is one of the most historic football clubs in Scotland with a fascinating history stretching back almost 140 years, including the heroic story of the ‘seven’ players who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War. The Big Hearts Community Trust has been awarded £50,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to create an archive and stadium tour to celebrate this unique football heritage.

The Hearts Heritage Project will see items from the club’s historic collection displayed throughout the stadium, including players’ international caps, pennants, personal letters and photographs dating back to the club’s beginnings. An archive will also be created to store the items to professional standard, and local primary schoolchildren will be able to engage with the club through a variety of education workshops.

Further information

Shiona Mackay, HLF Scotland on 01786 870 638 or 07779 142 890.

Vicky Wilford, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6046/07973 401 937 or vickyw@hlf.org.uk