icecream
architecture

In 2024, icecream architecture were appointed by Fife Historic Buildings Trust to develop a programme of heritage interpretation, community activities and traditional skills training as part of the wider Buckhaven Heritage regeneration project. Our work supported funding proposals to Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage & Place Programme and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Working with the community, we explored how Buckhaven’s built, social and intangible heritage could become catalysts for learning, participation, skills development and community-led regeneration. This programme was developed alongside the client’s wider regeneration and capital works proposals to restore key historic buildings in the area, improve public spaces and support building repairs, connecting heritage activity with investment in the town.

Local participation was central to developing the programme. We worked with schools, community groups, charities, heritage organisations and education providers to understand barriers to participation and identify the stories and skills that matter locally. We tested ideas through 11 hands-on pilot activities including oral history sharing, sensory storytelling, zine-making, public art workshops, archive outreach and hands-on traditional building skills workshops. The pilots involved 264 participants and 39 local staff and volunteers, providing practical feedback on activities, audiences and opportunities for longer-term partnerships. 

This process established five themes for Buckhaven Heritage: Fishing & Industrial Heritage, Traditional Skills & Craft, Growing in Buckhaven, Co-operation & Community and Reinvention. Together, these narratives connect the town’s buildings and physical heritage with its memories, traditions and evolving identity and will be used to shape place-based interpretation and activity programmes for the next phase.

From pilots to a five-year programme

The research and testing informed an integrated five year Community Heritage and Traditional Skills Action Plan, proposing four community heritage and six traditional skills strands. Opportunities range from community memory gathering, events and improved access to local archives, to school-age skills introductions, vocational pathways, work placements and specialist training linked to future capital works.

A key focus was creating pathways into traditional building and repair skills, responding to identified skills shortages whilst maximising investment potential in Buckhaven’s historic buildings as a once-in-a-generation learning opportunity. The programme also includes community capacity building provision to help local organisations and volunteers participate meaningfully in delivery to ensure investment strengthens existing community activity.

icecream architecture also developed a new Buckhaven Heritage visual identity and branding pack, providing a shared identity for the future regeneration and community projects. Together, the project strands provide a framework for Buckhaven’s heritage to be shared, understood and shaped by local people for the duration of the heritage regeneration project and beyond.