Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · 19h

Lawrence Weaver abandoned a career in engineering when offered a role at Country Life. As Architectural Editor he transformed its coverage.

📆 Mon 13 Oct, 6:30pm
📍 Edinburgh + Zoom
🎟 £6 / £2 students – book: buff.ly/9WGsNqw

Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · 3d

🍂 The Autumn 2025 AHSS Magazine is out now!

Packed with fresh perspectives on Scotland’s architecture + heritage.

✨ Members get access to the full archive of magazines.

👉 Read + join:

Autumn 2025 Magazine - Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland

This edition weaves together themes of gardens and designed landscapes, the urgent issue of church closures, and an unexpected thread of humour, explored through features ranging from Little Sparta…

buff.ly

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · 6d

Lawrence Weaver and the Romance of Scottish Architecture

📆 13 Oct 2025, 6:30 pm
📍 Edinburgh + Zoom
🎟 £6 / £2 students

Lawrence Weaver wrote 42 articles on Scottish architecture and deepened the dialogue about Lorimer’s work.

👉 Book now: buff.ly/9WGsNqw

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · 8d

Save the dates!
The AHSS Forth & Borders Winter Lectures 2025–26 are here 🎉

From castles & Lorimer to Georgian Edinburgh and the National Gallery extension – 6 fascinating evenings ahead.

📍 Edinburgh + Zoom
🎟 £6 / £2 students

👉 Full line-up + booking: buff.ly/fNObXQG

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · 20d

🎤 Niall Murphy opens our Winter Lecture Series with Glasgow 850.

Niall is an architect with 25 years of experience in heritage, conservation, and community issues in Glasgow.

📅 23 Oct | Glasgow + Zoom
🎟 £6 / £2 students / £25 season ticket

👉 Book: buff.ly/utZSXh5

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · 23d

📅 Save the dates!

The AHSS Strathclyde Winter Lecture Series 2025–26 is here 🎉

Glasgow 850, Greek Thomson, Organ Design, Ironwork, Adaptive Reuse – 5 lectures, Oct–Mar.

📍 Glasgow + online via Zoom
🎟 £6 / £2 students / £25 season ticket

👉 Book now: buff.ly/7xgV8er

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · 25d

Scotland’s first modern car factory — the Arrol-Johnston at Heathhall — is crumbling after years of neglect. This Category B listed industrial landmark could still be saved before it’s sold off. Will the council step in and secure a future for this site?

buff.ly/DSYhwZZ

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Sep 1

🎶 Black Tie Musical Evening at historic Druminnor Castle, Rhynie – Sat 6 Sept 2025.
Performances by the Garioch Fiddlers & Ian Thow (accordion) in a castle dating back to the 1400s. buff.ly/AcV0MZ1

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Aug 18

Scotland’s first modern car factory — the Arrol-Johnston at Heathhall — is crumbling after years of neglect. This Category B listed industrial landmark could still be saved before it’s sold off. Will the council step in and secure a future for this site?

buff.ly/DSYhwZZ

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Aug 15

🔔 Last chance to book!
Booking closes tomorrow for our full-day visit to Hospitalfield House on 30 Aug.

🌿 Gardens, interiors, chapel
🍽️ Lunch + tours included
🎟️ £45 – open to all!

📩 Email your completed booking form today buff.ly/riXRf6A

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Aug 7

From assessing planning applications to hosting site visits and supporting events, AHSS volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.

💙 Want to get involved?
Join us today → buff.ly/4AtA9gy

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jul 31

🎉 The Bernat Klein Studio has been saved!

A coalition of Scottish heritage orgs secured it at auction for £279,000.
This modernist gem by Peter Womersley will now be restored for public + creative use.

👏 Huge congratulations to all involved!

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jul 30

🌿🏛️ Explore the extraordinary Hospitalfield House & gardens on Sat 30 Aug!

Arts & Crafts design, a double-walled garden, lunch in the café & chapel tour—don’t miss this rare experience.

🎟️ £45 – all welcome
📅 Book by 16 Aug

🔗 buff.ly/f1qtZFE

Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jul 27

Modernist gem at risk! 🏛️ The Bernat Klein Studio by Peter Womersley is going to auction on Weds 30 July. A coalition led by @shbt-charity.bsky.social is raising funds to buy and restore the building.

Help save it by supporting the crowdfunder now: buff.ly/J4UpTX2

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jul 25

Pinkie House, Musselburgh — and one of the most jaw-dropping plaster ceilings we’ve ever seen 😍

Thanks to everyone who joined our visit!

Join our next architectural adventure 👉 buff.ly/rdGhD21

📷: @countryhousehistorian

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jul 19

Did you know one of Edinburgh’s most historic churches began life in a wool store?

Join our evening visit to Old St Paul’s Scottish Episcopal Church on 22 July, incl. St Patrick’s RC Church.

🎟️ £10, booking essential

buff.ly/SGLXYnl

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jul 10

📍 VISIT: Hospitalfield House, Arbroath
🗓️ 30 Aug 2025 | 11am–4pm | £45
🧁 Garden tour, house tour, lunch & chapel visit

Discover the vision of Patrick & Elizabeth Allan Fraser at one of Scotland’s most inspiring Arts & Crafts homes.

🔗 Book by 16 Aug: buff.ly/OrAPhRD

Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jul 8

🏰 Join us in Stirling on 19 July for a walking tour led by HES District Architect Jacqueline Mulcair!

Explore the Old Town & finish near Stirling Castle.
🕥 10:30am, Stirling Station
🎟️ £15, booking required
🥪 Bring lunch!
🔗 buff.ly/X7SlrOl

Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jul 3

💬 “I’ve gained so much through AHSS – connections, knowledge & access to amazing places.” – Sarah, member since 2003

From site visits to shaping planning decisions, AHSS helped Sarah build a career in heritage.

🔗 Join us → buff.ly/IRiIt1F

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jun 30

🔔 Don’t miss our Musselburgh tour this Saturday!

Explore Pinkie House & the historic town with guide Alastair Learmont.

📅 Sat 5 July, 10:15am
📍 Meet at Loretto gates, Linkfield Rd
🎟️ £15, booking essential
🚌 Buses 44/113/124

buff.ly/YOF2wp4

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jun 26

🧩 What does AHSS actually do when it comes to planning?

We review hundreds of applications a year—objecting when proposals threaten listed buildings or historic areas, and supporting when they enhance them.

📄 Learn more: buff.ly/moZzQsW

📸 Tom Parnell

Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jun 18

Heritage isn’t just about returning to a single historical moment—it’s about layers. The current design is one of those layers, and it matters.

🔗 Read more about our casework and join us in speaking up for Scotland’s historic places: buff.ly/NZvBuzC

Casework

www.ahss.org.uk

Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jun 18

“The existing façade introduces a subtle yet unique, playful character to George Street… its removal is unwarranted and purely for branding.”

The new design ignores Edinburgh Council’s own conservation guidance and removes character for commercial convenience.

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jun 18

But this isn’t just any 80s shopfront. It’s part of the building’s listed description.
Historic Environment Scotland records it as a significant architectural feature reflecting the shop’s historic use as an optician.

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Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland @theahss.bsky.social · Jun 18

The proposal would remove the 1985/86 portico and “spectacle order” Ionic columns—designed by Simpson & Brown—and replace them with a simplified, pseudo-Georgian façade.

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