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From 5 March 2025 to 2 April 2026, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on a proposal to list the former Lads’ Institute (27-29 Ratcliffe Terrace), Edinburgh.

The former Lads’ Institute at 27-29 Ratcliffe Terrace, Edinburgh was designed and built between 1906-07 by James Linton Lawrence and Victor ‘Spig’ Spiganovicz. The building’s notable Arts and Crafts design is representative of the style and is little altered. The interior also retains some good design features from the early 20th century. As a purpose-built Lads’ Institute, it is a rare example of its building type.

Only a very small number are known to have been built, most dating to the early 20th century. Lads’ Institutes were set up as recreational and sports clubs in the early 20th century to cater specifically to younger boys who were not settling into the school system. Only a few purpose-built premises for such organisations were ever built throughout Britain

Through Citizen Space, we invited members of the public to tell us if they agreed with the proposed designation and if they had further comments to make.

We consulted directly with City of Edinburgh Council as the planning authority and the owners, site developers and their respective agents.

Our selection guidance for designation and the policies we work to are published in the Designations Policy and Selection Guidance document. 

We received a total of 45 responses, including five written responses. There were 18 detailed responses to our online survey.

Around 98% of people who responded strongly agreed or slightly agreed with the designation proposal and around 2% strongly disagreed.

Several comments in favour of listing commended the building’s design, in particular the quality of the Arts and Crafts detail and styling. Some comments noted the building’s social historical value to the area and the historically important link with its philanthropist creator Victor ‘Spig’ Spiganovicz.

Responses against listing noted that the building had little architectural merit and that an accumulation of changes to the building had eroded the architectural interest, suggesting that recording rather than statutory listing should be considered.

There was a range of comments related to the building’s condition and economic factors related to future development.

We have considered the comments made to us in consultation and our view remains that the building meets the listing criteria interest. We have however updated the assessment to reflect some of the detailed comments about the interior and the setting. We have also added a statutory exclusion to part of the site.

We have taken into account the determining factors related to special architectural or historic interest and have found that that there are no policy or other factors that suggest we should not list the building.

We have now designated the former Lads’ Institute at Category C (LB52684). You can view the listed building record on our portal.  

We have published a consultation summary, the statistics and responses. Comments from the online survey are published in full (where we have appropriate permissions).

All of the relevant reports can be downloaded below:

• Report of Handling
• Consultation Summary Report
• Listing Map

From 29 January to 19 February 2026, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on a proposal to list the Ubiquitous Chip on Ashton Lane.

Built in 1893, it was part of a stable yard and workshop before its conversion to a restaurant in 1974. It contains two internal murals painted in 1977 and 1980–81 by the nationally important Glaswegian writer and artist, Alasdair Gray (1934–2019), who was a regular customer of the restaurant.

We think the building is important for the survival of the murals within their original context, their association with Gray, and their significance as examples of 20th century public mural art – which is becoming increasingly rare. The Ubiquitous Chip is also a representative example of a former stables and workshop building that contributes to its streetscape as part of a lane of buildings of similar date and character.

Through Citizen Space, we invited members of the public to tell us if they agreed with the proposed designation and if they had further comments to make.

We consulted directly with the owners and Glasgow City Council.

Our selection guidance for designation and the policies we work to are published in the Designations Policy and Selection Guidance document.

We received a total of 10 responses to our consultation on Citizen Space.

9 of those who responded to the online survey strongly agreed with our proposal to list the Ubiquitous Chip. One respondent strongly disagreed.

The responses to consultation did not raise any issues that put into question the special architectural or historic interest of the building under review.

After considering the comments received during consultation, we have updated our Report of Handling.

We have listed the Ubiquitous Chip at category C as 10–22 Ashton Lane (The Ubiquitous Chip) with murals by Alasdair Gray and Michael Lacey, excluding 6–8 Ashton Lane (The Wee Pub at the Chip), Hillhead, Glasgow (LB52670)

More information on our consultation can be found in section 4.3 of our Report of Handling, published on the Heritage Portal

We have also published a report that summarises our online consultation survey and shows the responses in full where we have the necessary permissions.

From 12 September to 31 October 2025, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on a proposal to list buildings at Tuathanas Tòrabol / Torboll Farm near Dornoch.  

Torboll Farm is a traditional agricultural complex, with the main buildings dating primarily to the first half of the 19th century. There are also earlier structures remaining, dating from the 18th or possibly 17th centuries. 

We think the site is significant as a a major surviving example of Agricultural Improvement period farm buildings. It has an important link to the history of agriculture and land ownership in Scotland, particularly the tumultuous period of Highland Clearances and improvement that took place across the region in the 18th and 19th centuries. The farm is directly linked to the Sutherland Clearances, an event in history that has had a significant impact on Scotland’s cultural heritage. 

We invited members of the public to tell us if they agreed with the proposed designation and if they had further comments to make.  We also consulted directly with the owner and the planning authority. 

Our selection guidance for designation and the policies we work to are published in the Designations Policy and Selection Guidance document.   

We received three responses to the consultation. The responses did not raise any issues that put into question the special architectural or historic interest of the buildings under review. 

After considering the comments received during consultation, we have listed the farm buildings at category B as: 

Tuathanas Tòrabol, Dòrnach, a’ gabhail a-steach taigh-tuathanais, ùirlios, taigh-deighe, stall, stàball agus lad muileann, gun gabhail a-steach bothan gu taobh an Iar làraich, muileann-sàbhaidh agus gach frith-thogalach eile / Torboll Farm, Dornoch, including farmhouse, walled garden, icehouse, steading, stable and mill lade, excluding four-bay cottage to west of site, sawmill and all other outbuildings 

We have published a Report of Handling for this case on our Heritage Portal.