Guide to Conversion of Traditional Buildings

1. Summary

Scotland’s historic environment plays an important role in regeneration. Conserved buildings offer focal points, character, and identity to wider development initiatives. Reusing historic buildings supports Scotland’s economic, social, and cultural goals, continuing a long tradition of adapting inherited structures for new purposes. As conservation values have grown since the 19th and 20th centuries, building adaptations now aim to respect historic character while meeting modern needs. Conversions can drive regeneration, enable development otherwise discouraged, and trigger compliance with building standards that promote social benefits such as accessibility and reduced carbon impact.

This guide provides advice on applying the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 to the conversion of traditional buildings and those of traditional construction. This interim guide supplements, rather than replaces, the Technical Handbooks by addressing common problems where meeting standards could adversely affect historic fabric. It outlines conservation principles and practical approaches for resolving complex issues during conversions.

To support the implementation of the Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025, which take effect from 6 April 2026, this interim publication will provide guidance on fire safety standards only. This publication shall update and replace the fire safety guidance contained within the current Guide for Practitioners 6: Conversion of Traditional Building (Application of the Scottish Building Standards). A full publication of the new, replacement Guide to Conversion of Traditional Buildings documents will be published by June 2026.

The guidance contained with this interim publication is intended to support the application of the Domestic and Non Domestic Technical Handbooks which take effect on 6 April 2026 This shall include updates to reflect the implementation of Simon and Richard’s Law following the tragic fire at the Cameron House Hotel in 2017.

Reference to all other technical standards and supporting guidance, excluding those which relate to Section 2 Fire, should be sought from the current Guide for Practitioners 6 guidance before it is replaced in June 2026. Prior to the full publication of the new Guide to Conversion of Traditional Buildings, minor adjustments to the content of the interim guidance may be made to align with Part I and Part II of the new guidance.

Part I of the current Guide for Practitioners 6 should be referred to for understanding on the application of the interim publication, including the scope of guidance and its appropriate application as a technical guide. Part II of the current Guide for Practitioners 6 addresses individual building standards that are most likely to have an impact on the character and fabric of the building. Schedule 6 of Regulation

12 governs the approach adopted, where the separation of the standards into those that are defined as essential standards and those where the conversion shall be

improved to as close as is reasonably practicable inform the recommendations.