The Scotsman

Conservationists are calling on entrepreneurs to take over Scotland's abandoned churches and turn them into everything from petrol stations to bars in an effort to save them from ruin. Hundreds of rural churches and city steeples are under threat from the country's increasing Godlessness. Dwindling congregation numbers now pose the largest threat to Scotland's historic character and must be countered through innovative business planning, say conservationists. They pointed to a variety of successful church conversions, including bars and nightclubs, activity centres and the popular Oràn Mór arts venue in Glasgow. The call comes as Historic Scotland, which gives grants to maintain historic buildings, has said it has been inundated with applications from churches for funds for urgent repairs. In 2002, more than a third of its grant money went to maintain or renovate churches.