What is Dalkeith THI and CARS?

The Dalkeith Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) has been developed by Midlothian Council and Dalkeith Business Renewal.  The project is jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, Midlothian Council and Dalkeith Business Renewal.

The formal launch of the Dalkeith THI and CARS took place on Thursday 15^th April 2010 with a week long series of events.

The Dalkeith THI and CARS is a five year regeneration scheme now in its fourth year and has improved a number of historic buildings in the centre of Dalkeith through grant aid together with the enhancement of building frontages, shopfronts and improvements to the public realm. 

The project aims to conserve and improve the medieval core of the town in the High Street and has included work to it's key buildings as well as improving the public realm.  Of the four priority projects, repair and restoration work has been completed to 1-3 Musselburgh Road, The Tolbooth, the former Cross Keys Hotel and work is well underay on 1-3 High Street. A number of priority buildings have also now been completed.

A Townscape Heritage Initiative and Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme are jointly funded grant programmes that provide money for regenerating towns and enhancing the appearance of Conservation Areas through the repair of historic buildings and spaces.

How Does it Work?

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) gives a grant to a local partnership managing a “Common Fund”. This contains funds from HLF, Historic Scotland, Midlothian Council and Dalkeith Business Renewal.

The Partnership has agreed the priority projects and buildings within the Dalkeith THI and CARS and work is well advanced now on all the schemes.

How much money was available?

Initially the Dalkeith THI and CARS Common Fund amounted to £1.8m and with owners contributions this amounted to £2.5m.With additional grant aid from Historic Scotland and Dalkeith Business Renewal the common fund has increased to £1.9m, resulting in an overall investment of £3.0m.

Main Events Since the Launch

Since the launch of the scheme the following main events have taken place:

• May 2010 public consultation on the improvements to the High Street .
• October 2010 Midlothian Training Services, back to work adult group presented their findings on the proposed heritage trail for the town centre.
• January 2011 formation of the Dalkeith Heritage Trail Group.
• February 2011 High Street enhancement scheme started.
• April 2011 launch of the Dalkeith Shopfront Design Guide and the Dalkeith Youth Forum's DVD, "Dalkeith at a Crossroads" .
• June 2011 the Dalkeith Training Plan launched.
• August 2011 High Street Enhancement scheme practically completed.
• October 2011 Production of an Interpretative Strategy and Proposals for the Dalkeith Heritage Trail.
• December 2011 Presentation of certificates to the first set of trainees attending the training plan courses.
• December 2011 Opening event for the completed shopfront at 41 High Street, opticians. 
• June 2012 St David's High School, Dalkeith Campus takes part in the Schools Heritage Skills Awareness Training course.
• October 2012 Opening event for 1-3 Musselburgh Road .
• January 2013 Fiona Hyslop visits to announce next round of Scotland's CARS schemes and tours Dalkeith High Street viewing projects.
• February 2013 Reopening of the Tolbooth by the Duke of Buccleuch.
• February 2013 The "iwozheredalkeith" plaque scheme launched as part of the Dalkeith Heritage Trail.
• March 15th 2013 The opening event for 69-71 High Street (WHSmith) was held in the Arts Centre, Dalkeith.