An Angus burgh has been handed more than £600,000 to regenerate its ageing centre.
Kirriemuir is among several sites picked for cash from the Scottish Government, as announced by culture minister Fiona Hyslop.
The local authority has been awarded £645,000 for improvements to historic elements of the town, which first appeared in records in 1201.
Funding will be delivered through Historic Scotland’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (Cars).
Infrastructure services committee convener Mairi Evans said the money “is great news for Kirriemuir.”
“We are delighted to have this funding, which will be used to repair and reinstate properties in the centre of the town and make it more attractive for local people and visitors alike,” she said.
“The council is looking to secure further funding of around £500,000 from its own resources to supplement the Historic Scotland grant.
“The council undertook extensive environmental improvement works in Kirriemuir town centre in 1993-94 but some of the natural stone paving is now beginning to deteriorate in places.
“We will take this opportunity to refresh The Square and do other public works.”
Efforts to restore the town follow the success of a similar project in a north-east neighbour.
Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative and its project manager Sarah Kettles have witnessed the completion of more than 30 building restoration and repair projects.
Last year, the scheme obtained a royal seal of approval when Prince Charles toured the Merchant’s House, which dates from 1575.
Councillor Evans added: “The Brechin Townscape Heritage Initiative proved very successful in revitalising and refurbishing the town centre and I’m convinced the Kirriemuir Cars will be equally successful.”
The money will fund improvements to properties in the town’s conservation area which are of architectural or historical interest and are wholly or partially vacant.
These include retail and residential property at 1-3 Roods, the warehouse at the back of Ogilvy’s Close, the former church property Glengate Hall and the vacant Airlie Arms Hotel in St Malcolm’s Wynd.
Small grants will also be available for shop front improvements and other external repairs, including repairs to historic features such as guttering and downpipes, windows and stonework.
Ms Hyslop said yesterday: “Our historic environment plays a key role in communities and this funding provides an opportunity to invest back into the historic fabric and back into the heart of communities.
“It also provides the opportunity to help stimulate economic regeneration, a key priority in today’s economic climate be that through a new end use or rejuvenating an existing facility.
“I am delighted to announce this funding, which will benefit communities the length and breadth of Scotland and will give more areas than ever before the opportunity to benefit from this investment.”
There have been four Cars application rounds since 2005. The Historic Scotland funding is available to provide financial assistance for conservation area regeneration and conservation initiatives.
There will be training as part of the initiative, as the local building trade will be able to improve its skills in dealing with historic properties and a Cars officer will be appointed to administer the project.