Outreach & Training
Supporting the built heritage of Inverness City Centre through learning, collaboration and skills development.
Inverness City Heritage Trust believes that heritage conservation is for the benefit of people, both those who live within our city and the increasing number of visitors who travel into the area.
Our outreach and training work ensures that those involved in caring for historic places are equipped with the skills, knowledge and inspiration they need to do it well. Whether you’re a property owner, student, contractor or community volunteer, our training and engagement initiatives are here to support you.
ICHT Events and CPD
Throughout the year, we host and support a variety of events aimed at building capacity across the sector:
Workshops and Masterclasses
Providing insight into building maintenance, and traditional building preservation skill such as lime pointing, sash window repair and other practical skills.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
A range of events for professionals, including surveyors, architects, planners and conservation specialists.
Community Talks and Tours
Showcasing heritage-led regeneration and raising awareness of historic areas and materials.
Heritage Open Days
Including participation in national events, we support access to historic buildings.
These sessions are designed to be hands-on, practical, and relevant to Inverness’s built environment. Participants often leave with new ideas, contacts, and confidence.
Supporting Traditional Skills
We believe the future of heritage depends on skilled hands. That’s why we actively promote:
- Apprenticeships and placements in traditional trades through project partnerships.
- Bursaries and travel support for young people accessing conservation training.
- Recognition and visibility for skilled craftspeople working on our funded projects.
Our projects aim to include opportunities for training and mentoring whenever possible. Whether it’s a roof renewal or a carved stone repair, we see each grant as a chance to develop heritage capacity locally.
One of our recent projects aims to develop a skills audit for the local area, helping to identify the skills held in our local community, and where development and training opportunities can be provided to develop a wider range of skilled tradespeople.
Resources & Guidance
We also produce and distribute clear, accessible resources for anyone involved in building care, including:
- Maintenance and Repair Guides, helping owners plan and prioritise action.
- Shopfront Design Guidance, supporting good signage, proportion and materials.
- Case studies that showcase successful repairs, creative reuse and lessons learned.
You can access these from our downloads section or request printed copies from the team.
Engaging Young People
We work alongside local schools, colleges and youth groups to:
- Deliver interactive heritage sessions.
- Introduce careers in conservation, trades and architecture.
- Inspire a new generation to value and care for traditional buildings.
If you are a teacher or education provider, please get in touch to discuss a visit or classroom collaboration.
Collaboration Opportunities
We welcome partnerships with:
- Trade bodies and colleges, to align training with industry needs.
- Heritage and community organisations, for co-hosted events or joint projects.
- Individual practitioners, who can share their experience or mentor trainees.
If you have an idea for a talk, workshop or outreach activity, we would love to hear it, please get in touch.
Measuring Our Impact
We evaluate each of our learning initiatives through participant feedback and longer-term follow-up, helping us:
- Track skills gained and career pathways influenced.
- Improve the delivery and relevance of future sessions.
- Demonstrate the wider social value of conservation.
Interested in running a workshop, attending training, or working with us on outreach?