Wednesday March 25th 2026
Granton Lighthouse
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced over £2.2 million in funding as part of the Scottish Governments Regeneration Capital Grant Funding programme to transform the derelict Granton Lighthouse into an arts and education hub.
The £2.278 million secured by the Edinburgh Council today is the balance of the funding required to complete the £4.171 million funding package, bringing the historic lighthouse in the north of the capital back to life and turning it into a vibrant community asset for locals and visitors.
Kate Forbes’ announcement will also another 32 projects across Scotland receive funding as part of the later round of the £36 million Regenration Capital Fund.
The restoration project is part of the wider £1.3 billion regeneration of Granton’s Waterfront area and will transform the historic building once used as a place to teach lighthouse keepers into a ‘flexible, accessible modern workspace’.
Following a visit to Granton Lighthouse Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:
“This investment will make a real difference to people’s lives – providing affordable homes, economic opportunities and community spaces the length and breadth of Scotland.
“Creating hundreds of jobs and training opportunities will boost family incomes and give children a better start in life.
“Granton Lighthouse is a beacon for its community’s future. Once derelict, it will become a vibrant creative hub as part of our commitment to support plans to regenerate Granton Waterfront into a thriving coastal community.”
This historic building will be fully refurbished to create a learning, enterprise and exhibition/cafe space. As well as restoring some original features such as the lantern, the outside space will be transformed into a social space for people to sit and relax and enjoy some greenery.
Once complete the art and community hub will be operated by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust, an Edinburgh-based social enterprise and arts charity that supports local artists.
Following the funding announcement, Chief Executive of the Trust, Rob Hoon, explained:
“Out of the Blue is delighted that the Scottish Government has granted regeneration funding for the refurbishment of Granton Lighthouse.
“We have been an integral part of the team planning the refurbishment of Granton Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is a significant landmark listed building loved by local people, who see an exciting opportunity for involvement in a new creative space, with opportunities for learning, a cafe, studios, music practice and recording.”
Alongside the government funding, the remainder of the budget required will be made up of £1.610 million of funding from the Heritage and Place Fund and £0.283 provided the Edinburgh Council themselves.
The Council explained that a planning application to carry out the work has been submitted and work could start as early as next year.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said:
“I’m delighted the funding is now in place to restore this historically significant building to be enjoyed by the local community for generations to come. The former lighthouse building is a strong visual reminder of the area’s history. It will now start a new chapter as it continues to be a place of learning and creativity as well as a focal point for the local community to meet. Arts and Education Trust Out of the Blue were selected as a suitable operator to lease the building following feedback from local people who told us they need a flexible, accessible work and events space for arts education.
“It’s also another great milestone reached for our £1.3bn regeneration of the wider area and follows our announcement at the end of last year that the Council had been successful in securing funding for this and several other heritage buildings. This includes funding to refurbish and restore structures such as Madelvic House, Granton Castle Walled Garden and the platforms in Granton Station Square, the latter of which are located beside the beautifully restored former Granton Station building.”
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