Scotland has a rich historic and architectural inheritance illuminating the nation's history and a constant reminder to all of the work and way of life of earlier generations.

What is listing?
Listing is a way of identifying and protecting such buildings ensuring that the historic and architectural interest is carefully considered before any alterations to the exterior or interior can be agreed.

Who administers the system?
Lists are compiled and maintained by Historic Scotland on behalf of the Secretary of State in accordance with the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

Historic Scotland is an agency within the Scottish Executive Education Department, directly responsible to Scottish Ministers for safeguarding the nation's built heritage and promoting its understanding and enjoyment.

The lists comprise a wide variety of structures - from tenement blocks to cathedrals.

Grading
The listings are divided into three categories to distinguish between different levels of interest:

Category A Buildings of national or international importance, either architectural or historic, or fine little-altered examples of some particular period, style or building type.

Category B Buildings of regional or more than local importance, or major examples of some particular period, style or building type which may have been altered.

Category C (S)Buildings of local importance, lesser examples of any period, style or building type, as originally constructed or altered; and simple, traditional buildings which group well together with others in categories A and B or are part of a planned group such as an estate or an industrial complex.

Buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed, as are most of those built between 1700 and 1840. Post-1945 buildings have to be exceptionally important to be listed. Normally a building has to be over 30 years old to be eligible for listing. Buildings less than 30 years old would normally only be listed if they were of outstanding quality and under threat. Buildings less than 10 years old are not listed.

Restrictions
Every listed building - with the exception of churches in use as such and buildings owned by the Crown - requires listed consent for any works of alteration which would affect the character of the building. It is an offence to demolish, alter or extend a listed building without listed building consent.

Before starting any work - even painting - you should consult your local planning authority. Listed building consent is in addition to any planning permission needed. For most owners, however, applications for both can be considered. Planning permission alone is not sufficient to authorise demolition.

Consent is also necessary for altering or extending any object or structure within the grounds of a listed building such as garden walls or gates as well as buildings ancillary to the principal building.

Certain of the developments relating to dwelling houses permitted by the Town and Country Planning General Development Order do not apply to listed buildings. Advice on such matters can be obtained from your local planning authority.

If you are granted listed building consent to demolish a building, either in part or wholly, the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments must be informed to make a record of it.

Grants
It is possible to get financial help for the repair of buildings of outstanding architectural or historic interest.

Historic Scotland provides financial assistance to private owners towards the costs of conserving and repairing such buildings. About a third of the agency's expenditure is in grants to private owners.

Local authorities may also award grants for any buildings of architectural or historic interest.

Appeals
If an application for listed building consent is refused by a local planning authority, or granted subject to conditions, the applicant has a right of appeal to the Secretary of State.

The procedure of appeal is almost identical to the procedure for appealing against a refusal of planning permission.

Where to obtain further information
A leaflet, Scotland's Listed Buildings, contains essential information relating to listed buildings and is available from Historic Scotland.

The lists are available for inspection in the relevant local authority offices. Also at:

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
Bernard Terrace
Edinburgh

Historic Scotland
Longmore House
Salisbury Place
Edinburgh