Grant Lodge - Gateway to Moray (Moray Growth Deal)
Celebrating Culture, Heritage & Community in Moray
Welcome to the Cultural Quarter project. The project aims to increase tourism in Moray by providing a focal point to draw in additional visitors and signpost them to attractions right across the area, whilst providing an enhanced cultural and evening economy offering which will help attract and retain young people in the area.
Between 2025 and 2031, Moray Growth Deal funding will transform two of Elgin’s most significant category B-listed historic buildings.
- Phase 1 (2025–2027): Transformation of Elgin Town Hall
- Phase 2: Restoration of Grant Lodge
Redevelopment of these key sites within Elgin's new Cultural Quarter will raise the profile of Elgin and the region's wider offering.
Grant Lodge redevelopment
Once redeveloped, Grant Lodge will be returned to the heart of the community as a gateway to the park and the town, connecting on to attractions in Elgin and across the region. Grant Lodge will become the principal gateway to Cooper Park and a lynchpin for the Cultural Quarter with key connections to Elgin Museum, Elgin Cathedral, Elgin Library, Elgin Town Hall and beyond.
A place for celebration and relaxation, this new Culture and Tourism exchange will host activities while linking with interests, attractions, heritage sites, and experiences across the region.
The proposal is that Grant Lodge will provide the following facilities and functions:
- Restored heritage spaces with two sensitive contemporary extensions;
- Double height welcome room accessed from Cooper Park, an ideal meeting place for school trips, family outings, the tourist trade, learning, exploration and signposting.
- Gallery/exhibition space.
- Café/restaurant 40-90 covers.
- Private dining and meeting spaces.
- 2 events spaces with a park view 60-120 capacity.
- Spaces for activities, hospitality, retail, and private hire (talks, seminars and heritage/arts events, pop-ups, cooking demonstrations/tastings, corporate functions, meetings, weddings, celebrations)
- The stories of Moray will be woven throughout the building, with a focus on accessible, interactive stories and place-based content, Grant Lodge will be firmly rooted in Moray’s heritage, transforming it into a key destination to be enjoyed by locals and visitors near and far.
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National Lottery support helps move Grant Lodge redevelopment forward
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Plans to bring Elgin’s historic Grant Lodge back into public use have taken an important step forward thanks to new support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Moray Council has been awarded £212,427 to develop detailed proposals for the building. The funding will allow the council and partners to progress designs, carry out specialist surveys, consult with the community, and prepare a full business case for its future.
Once this development phase is complete, the council will submit an application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the capital funding required to restore and reopen the building.
Councillor Marc Macrae, Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “Securing this support for Grant Lodge marks a significant milestone in our ambition to protect and celebrate Moray’s heritage. Grant Lodge is an iconic building with a remarkable history, and for too long it has stood unused.
“This funding allows us to take an important step toward transforming it into a vibrant gateway to Moray, one that tells our story, supports tourism and creates a space the whole community can be proud of. I’m delighted to see this progress and grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for recognising the potential of this project within the wider Moray Growth Deal.”
Caroline Clark The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said, as part of a wider funding announcement: “To date the Heritage Fund has invested more than £60 million in projects across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray and we are delighted to add to that total with our support for these three projects.
“The Heritage Fund’s investment in the region has benefitted communities, tourism and the wider local economy. Creating opportunities for people of all ages to volunteer, to learn and train, and to get involved in heritage.
“Our investment will not only support new uses for these buildings it will help deliver the care they need to have a bright future as assets for the whole community.”
For further information please see below:
Grant Lodge: How lottery cash will help transform Elgin attraction
The National Lottery Heritage Fund: Home
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
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Grant Lodge (Phase 2)
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Concept designs from Page \ Park Architects are in development in consultation with the community and a variety of stakeholders. The vision is to create a beautifully restored heritage venue that celebrates Moray’s rich cultural identity while offering a modern visitor experience. Planning submissions are expected later this year.
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Grant Lodge Trust
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The Grant Lodge Trust have campaigned tirelessly to bring the much-loved Grant Lodge back to life. They are an important partner in the Cultural Quarter to support the advancement of both the capital project and the future sustainability of Grant Lodge.
The Trust welcome new members and volunteers with a passion for heritage and the community. If you are interested in becoming a trustee, please refer to their website for details on how to apply Grant Lodge Trust
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Phase 2 Working Group
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Did you know we have a dedicated working group for Phase 2 of the Cultural Quarter? This team brings expertise from across Moray’s Tourism, Creative Arts, Heritage, and Food & Drink sectors, offering strategic insights and advice to shape the project.
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Collaborating with regeneration projects
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Together we are coordinating with other regeneration programmes such as the Levelling Up Fund and the Elgin Neighbourhood Board to transform the region’s economy, infrastructure, and communities.
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Engaging with Young People
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The Cultural Quarter is always keen to engage with young people at every opportunity to obtain their views and opinions on the plans for the Grant Lodge redevelopment and how it will benefit them either through learning and education or work and apprenticeship opportunities.
Once such opportunity was at the Developing the Young Workforce Careers Fair in 2024 where we were able to attend 7 local high schools in Moray. Speaking to around 150 pupils of all ages across the schools we were able to inspire the next generation with information on future career opportunities in culture and heritage that they may have not previously considered.
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