National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022

Arts, Culture and Language

Strategic Objective 11 – To support arts, culture and language

We committed to invest in our cultural and historic resources, to ensure that islanders are encouraged to engage with, and participate in, arts and culture.

Implementation Route Map action

• Many continuing projects such as Ceolas, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, An Comann Gàidhealach, the Heritage Forum and centres such an Lanntair, Kildonan Museum, Taigh Chearsabhagh, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Urras Oighreachd Gabhsainn contribute to this objective.
• Working with partners, EventScotland will continue to raise Scotland's reputation as the perfect stage by supporting and securing a portfolio of events and developing the events industry. EventScotland will continue to maintain constant awareness/alignment with wider Scottish Government and VisitScotland initiatives that focus on the islands.
• 'Themed Years' present a unique collaborative platform for a number of partners to work in closer collaboration to achieve shared goals and generate stronger partnership working to deliver sustainable economic development in the linked sectors of culture tourism and events. The Scotland's Year of Stories 2022 Open Events Fund, administered by EventScotland, has been designed to support new, creative event proposals and programming that will provide high profile content, created especially in response to the 2022 Themed Year opportunity.
• The Scotland's Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund was deliberately designed to support organisations and community groups to take part in and celebrate Scotland's Year of Stories 2022, spotlighting the unique stories that matter to them with new, creative events, activities and programming. This recognises that it is important that local communities across Scotland are given the chance to tell their own story and discuss their experiences.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

There are a number of events, activities and initiatives in island areas which seek to invest in our cultural and historic resources, to ensure that islanders are encouraged to engage with, and participate in, arts and culture. This includes a range of festivals, arts centres and community trusts but also bodies such as Ceòlas, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, An Comunn Gàidhealach and the Heritage Forum.

Sponsorship, Funding and Historic Environment

As part of its commitment to the delivery of Scotland's Archaeology Strategy, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is grant funding Scotland's Islands Research Framework for Archaeology (SIRFA). The project began in 2018 and is managed by The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. SIRFA is coordinated by the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and Islands Archaeology Institute staff at Lews Castle College UHI, in partnership with local authority archaeologists at the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES), Shetland Amenity Trust and Orkney Islands Council.

HES is also grant funding research into the eroding medieval cemetery at Newark Bay, which is being undertaken by Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology (ORCA). This project is bringing together and publishing archive material from past excavations at the site, undertaking a comprehensive analysis of the human remains, including a DNA analysis, and training volunteers in archaeological recording techniques.

HES is also grant funding the University of Bradford and the Swandro Trust to excavate and record the eroding multi-phase archaeological site at the Knowe of Swandro on Rousay in the Orkney Isles. The site is being rapidly destroyed by the sea, and the investigation has focused on the excavation of a complex series of buildings, including a massive Iron Age roundhouse, which is built into an earlier tomb mound. Also in the Orkney Islands and as part of HES's day-to-day work, the post-excavation analysis of the Mayback Viking burials on Papa Westray is ongoing. This was a Historic Scotland human remains call off project from 2015. HES is releasing information on the investigation process as blogs and has had some media interest in the project so far. The next release will focus on the human remains. HES is awaiting the results of a DNA analysis from the Crick Institute before finalising this.

HES plays a role in the UK Government and Scottish Government assurance process, reviewing Islands Growth Deal projects/programmes, Strategic Outline Cases (SOC), Outline Business Cases (OBC) and Full Business Cases (FBC), for a wide range of projects, and facilitating input from HES colleagues and expertise across the organisation. HES also has representation on the Islands Growth Deal – Advisory Forum, as well as relevant programme and project boards, enabling HES to contribute strongly and develop wider project work regionally.

EventScotland

EventScotland's existing funding programmes offer opportunities for event organisers to apply for funding on the basis that it meets the programme criteria. Events are assessed on their merits, and EventScotland will look at ways the event will create a positive impact for the host region and Scotland as a whole.

Events are assessed in terms of their viability and event management experience as well as the five impact areas; Economic – Tourism and Business; Brand, Identity and Reputation; Media and Profile; Social and Cultural and Environmental Sustainability.

In 2022, EventScotland supported twelve events located in island communities from its existing National and International programmes, and the Community Cycling Fund including; Shetland Folk Festival, Orkney Food Festival, St Magnus International Festival, Tiree Music Festival, HebCelt, Shetland Wool Week; BWA Tiree Wave Classic, 50th Mull Rally; Fèis Ìle – The Islay Festival, Orkney International Science Festival, Spaceport Community Open Day, and Oban and Kerrera Big Bike Weekend.

EventScotland also has plans in place to support Tall Ships Lerwick as part of a portfolio of sporting and cultural events taking place across Scotland in 2023.

Scotland's Year of Stories 2022

Themed Years use key Scottish assets in tourism, culture and major events to deliver economic benefit across all sectors and, increasingly, community wellbeing. The most recent year, Scotland's Year of Stories 2022, engaged on a wide range of issues including culture, tourism, heritage, equality, literacy, creative industries and events.

Twenty-one events and festivals were supported through the £600,000 Year of Stories Open Events Fund. Supported events included SEALL's An Tinne, with events across the Isle of Skye, The Scottish Book Trust's Community Campfires events across the Western Isles including on Barra, South Uist, Eriskay, Benbecula and North Uist, Map of Stories events on Orkney and North Uist, Songs from the Last Page's touring event on Skye and Seanachas – a series of events presented to celebrate the Year by An Lanntair in Stornoway. The Edinburgh International Book Festival also delivered an engagement project with young filmmakers in Shetland.

The Scottish Government has supported 180 community-centred projects with £735K of partnership funding delivered through the 2022 Community Stories Fund, delivered in partnership with VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Supported events included 'Tìr Ìseal nan Òran (Tiree: Low Land of Song)' which took place on Tiree, 'Cliabh An T-Shenachais – The Story Creel' which was delivered on Mull and Iona, 'Sgeulaichean Siarach' and 'Ri tac an teine' which both took place on Lewis, and 'Object Stories' and 'Four Corners' which both took place on Uist, Events took place across Orkney, including the launch of the George Mackay Brown Trail in Stromness, 'Untold Orcadian Stories' and 'Orkney, Scotland and Norway: stories in music and verse'.

Dandelion

Unboxed was a major UK-wide programme, celebrating creativity and innovation, featuring ten large-scale commissioned projects designed to reach millions on-line and in person, bringing people together and showcasing creativity across the Four Nations.

Scottish Ministers appointed EventScotland as the Strategic Delivery Body for the commissioning and delivery of the Scottish UNBOXED project, Dandelion, which was funded by the Scottish Government through EventScotland. In total over 589,000 people took part in live, in-person events and hands-on schools' activities, across twenty-four local authorities.

This included every school in Na h-Eileanan Siar taking part in the Dandelion Schools Growing initiative – a huge nationwide experiment into how traditional growing methods compare with 21st-century techniques to shape the food production of the future. Each school was gifted a Dandelion Growing Cube – miniature 1m x 1m indoor farms equipped with growfelt, seeds and LEDs – as a legacy of the project alongside a wide range of creative Learning for Sustainability resources.

Dandelion's Unexpected Gardens sprang up from the Borders to the Highlands to the Islands as spaces to grow and places to gather. The Unexpected Garden in North Uist, led by Dandelion Partner Taigh Chearsabhagh, welcomed over 3,600 visitors and participants to its fifty-nine events ranging from film screenings, theatre on the beach, concerts, plant recording, musical veg workshops, potato printing, magic garden drawing and natural dye making.

Dandelion also supported forty-four local community organisations around the country to grow their own food and make their own creative Harvest events. From veg-growing community football teams to cook-ups in community allotments, apple harvesting and pressing, the chance to make seaweed fertiliser or get hands-on with jam and chutney-making – these rooted celebrations of Harvest sprouted across the country including harvest events in Orkney and Skyem organised by Stronsay Development Trust, North Ronaldsay Transition and Uigshader Living Forest.

In addition to the in-person attendances detailed above, Dandelion's digital and broadcast content allowed the programme to reach a broader audience who might not have been able to take part in events and activities in person, or the schools programme.

Dandelion's digital and broadcast content engaged with 869,960 people and premiered on 11 May 2022 with a specially commissioned film from Heisgeir in the Outer Hebrides, telling the family story of crofter and musician Padruig Morrison and one of Dandelion's Cubes of Perpetual Light.

We committed to support, develop and promote the creative talents of islanders, and ensure that the culture of Scotland's islands has a wide audience both nationally and abroad.

Implementation Route Map action

• Many continuing projects such as Ceolas, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, An Comann Gàidhealach, the Heritage Forum and centres such an Lanntair, Kildonan Museum, Taigh Chearsabhagh, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Urras Oighreachd Gabhsainn contribute to this objective.
• Working with partners, EventScotland will continue to raise Scotland's reputation as the perfect stage by supporting and securing a portfolio of events and developing the events industry. EventScotland will continue to maintain constant awareness/alignment with wider Scottish Government and VisitScotland initiatives that focus on the islands.
• The £322,000 Treòir | Voar | Virr programme is funded jointly by the National Transition Training Fund and through the Islands Programme, which supports delivery of the National Islands Plan. We know how challenging the pandemic has been for our artists and that while recovery has begun, with more creative and cultural opportunities opening up, there is still a long journey ahead and incomes are still affected. This programme helps artists, particularly those living on our islands, to contribute to the wider economic and social recovery for communities, which have been impacted by Covid-19 and Brexit.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

Islands Heritage and Culture Project

Our £240,000 Islands Heritage and Culture Project is a local authority partnership initiative that is actively safeguarding, supporting and promoting local heritage and culture. In each case the local authority, or a nominated local charitable body, is delivering initiatives that link to local development priorities and utilises local creative talent to widen the socio economic benefits derived through the celebration of the arts, language and dialect in island communities – all of which underpin our islands' culture and heritage.

Ongoing activity includes the Orkney Digitisation Project, an Angus Og Project being developed on the Isle of Skye, the Shetland Culture and Heritage Hub, the development of Outer Hebrides Heritage Trails, a focus on The Culture and Heritage of Arran and Cumbrae and a programme of cultural activity supporting Artist and Heritage Projects across the Islands of Argyll and Bute.

Orkney Digitisation Project

Orkney has a deep and expansive history, which is immediately apparent to visitors as they explore the archipelago, seeing everything from cairns and cathedrals to gun batteries. Orkney Islands Council's museum collection numbers roughly 130,000 items, illustrating all aspects of Orcadian history. More than 70% of this collection is archaeology, which is recognised as a Nationally Significant collection. A proportion is displayed at the Council's four museum sites, which attract thousands of visitors every year, and the balance is stored. Not all the stored items are displayable but instead should be viewed as a research resource.

The primary objective of this project is to improve digital connectivity, accessibility and awareness of Orkney Islands Council's collections, museum resources and visitor attractions, by building a new, engaging web site. The project is helping to populate website with content, which has included the identification and procurement of the equipment required to produce high quality media and then the creation of a robust digitisation policy to ensure a consistent quality and that the legacy is secure. With the aim of an enjoyable user experience, optimised to encourage repeat visits, and coupled with a more proactive approach to social media, this will generate more public engagement with the Museums Service and increase its profile.

Angus Og Project – Skye and Lochalsh Archives

Delivered by the Highland Archive Service in partnership with High Life Highland, The Angus Og Project will bring this exciting, unique and culturally important collection of cartoons back into the public realm by conserving, cataloguing and digitising the collection alongside producing an exhibition and workshops designed to bring Angus Og to a new and wider audience.

Angus Og was created by cartoonist Ewen Bain with his adventures based on the fabled Isle of Drambeg in the Utter Hebrides, a fictional island based on Bain's experience of life on Skye. Angus Og began in the Bulletin and was published in the Daily Record from 1960 through to 1989. There were 158 Angus Og adventures, and the collection of original strips has been donated by Ewen Bain's family to the Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre. The project supports investment in cultural and historic resources, ensuring that islanders are encouraged to engage with, and participate in, arts and culture.

Shetland Culture and Heritage Hub

This project is establishing and developing a cultural and heritage hub, and touring art exhibition programme. It is hoped that the project, delivered utilising a community asset based delivery approach, can become an important programme of heritage and cultural delivery, supporting Shetland's island communities through the delivery of socio economic benefits at an island-level. Community consultation helped inform project development and ensured that project delivery reflected the needs across island communities, and that each of the Shetland islands' heritage, culture, language and dialects are supported and developed in line with community aspirations and priorities.

Meetings with local stakeholders and an engagement session with volunteers provided an invaluable opportunity to share sector challenges. This included higher energy costs in buildings, Developing the Young Workforce issues, as well as retention and recruitment within small island communities. Discussions included the exploration of what format the network could take and what people need the network to deliver on their behalf and as part of a partnership framework approach. Islanders were encouraged to engage with their heritage and culture with collated comments and suggestions during engagement sessions, often written in local dialect, e.g.:

"Hit's a guid ting."

"Accessibility fir aabody."

"Maybe working tagedder a bit more."

"Rebrand volunteering in heritage. It's doing very interesting stuff in your free time!"

"Gie young fok da chance tae be involved, dey ir da future. Invite dem in."

Further developments have included engagement with a recently formed steering group, in partnership with UHI Shetland, and through a recently launched 'Shetlaen Language Plan'.

Outer Hebrides Heritage Trails

The Outer Hebrides Heritage Trail project, developed by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Heritage Service Team, links closely with the Outer Hebrides Heritage Forum (Comann Dualchas Innse Gall – CDIG). The project supports the development of proposals for themed and branded self-guided heritage trails from Barra to the Butt of Lewis – linked to identified economic drivers and existing CDIG venues and facilities that celebrate the unique heritage assets of the local areas, supporting a sustainable flow of visitors and spreading the economic benefits across local communities.

Engagement with community organisations was critical to better understanding what would assist in the development of the identified Heritage and Cultural assets of the Western Isles and the Outer Hebrides Heritage Forum have been pivotal in development discussions and in maximising the positive impact of the project.

The Culture and Heritage of Arran and Cumbrae

This project is focused on capacity building across Arran and Cumbrae and designed to use the existing, rich cultural and heritage assets of the islands in North Ayrshire. This includes work to identify synergies and opportunities for strategic development across the two islands in liaison with North Ayrshire Council's Heritage Team, Arts Team, Island's Officer and a range of local partners to understand priorities in each area and ensure that cultural and heritage practitioners across the islands are fully engaged and provided with support and guidance.

Key features of the project include the creation of opportunities for relevant practitioners across both islands, assisting with grassroots delivery, helping to build long term capacity and sustainability and the development of initiatives that strategically support cultural and heritage activity – including language. This is being achieved through the development of a network of cultural and heritage practitioners and organisations across the islands, by supporting young people to engage with cultural and heritage activity, and the development of associated learning opportunities.

Opportunities for the Argyll Islands and Increased Visitor Footfall

On an ongoing basis this project is supporting the development of heritage and cultural initiatives that simultaneously build arts, culture, heritage and language opportunities and engagement for island communities and a vision to increase visitor footfall. Delivered by Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly (CHARTS), a programme of cultural activity is supporting artist and heritage expert-led projects across the islands of Argyll and Bute. Development activity has been designed through a collaborative process, and supported through existing infrastructure, positioned to continually guide, inform and enhance the strategic development of CHARTS.

Committed to support all of Scotland's Indigenous languages and dialects in ways that are relevant to the communities where these are spoken.

Implementation Route Map action

• Island Communities Impact Assessments will support this process following the 2022 update to the Guidance and Toolkit.
• Quarterly meetings are established between the Gaelic & Scots Team, the Islands Team and Bòrd na Gàidhlig to support this process.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

There continues to be a significant volume of events, activities and initiatives in island areas which seek to support Scotland's Indigenous languages and dialects in ways that are relevant to the communities where these are spoken. In relation to Gaelic, this includes a range of festivals, arts centres and community trusts but also work undertaken by key bodies such as Ceòlas, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, An Comunn Gàidhealach and the Heritage Forum.

Treòir | Voar | Virr

The Treòir | Voar | Virr project was funded by the National Transition Training Fund (NTTF) (£212,000) and through the Scottish Government Islands Team resource budget (£110,000) to support delivery of the National Islands Plan.

Delivered by Fèisean nan Gàidheal the aim was to aid recovery in education, while supporting re-training and employment opportunities for creative freelancers through live, online, progressive arts-based cultural workshops that supported various aspects of island culture. This included a focus on Scotland's Indigenous languages and dialects, music, drama, dance, storytelling, craftwork, digital and visual art, offered to all primary schools in Scotland's islands. Overall, sixty-two individuals and seventeen businesses were supported. A showreel video can be accessed online.

NTTF offered Fèisean nan Gàidheal the opportunity to strengthen links with island schools, island-based freelance artists, the Islands Team at the Scottish Government and with staff at West Highland College UHI. Feedback indicates the project benefited all involved, creating employment and training opportunities for freelance tutors following an exceedingly difficult period.

Na h-Eileanan Tarsainn – Eigg, Muck and Rum Primary Schools, Highland

One strand of the programme was the Eileanan Tarsainn project, which aimed to protect and promote local Gaelic culture and storytelling, by giving students contemporary as well as historical context.

Nan Fee is a singer, drama worker and teacher and was paired with traditional musician and artist Gabe McVarish, who, like Nan, is based in Eigg. Both spoke very highly of the impact of the project on themselves and the local communities. Participants were encouraged to hear, learn and develop stories in their local environment. The class teacher of one primary school that benefited reported the following:

"Working alongside Nan and Gabe on the Treòir project was an incredibly enriching experience. Everyone always really looked forward to the sessions and the activities were always well-planned, engaging and a lovely, collaborative experience. There was so much variety for the children to engage with, and it was wonderful watching them grow in confidence and express their creativity. Storytelling in the classroom improved and this helped the children develop their skills in speaking and listening. They thoroughly enjoyed sharing their own ideas inspired by 'The Wee Bannock' and 'The Secret of Kells' and were especially proud of all the beautiful artwork and texts they created. Overall, the project was a fantastic opportunity. We all learnt a lot about storytelling and benefitted greatly from the richness of Scotland's heritage and culture."

Shetland Primary School – Da Voar Project

The Da Voar project aimed to promote the local Shetlæn language, by giving students contemporary context to the teaching of its history and development. The Head Teacher of one primary school reported the following:

"The Voar Project is a great success with our P4-7 class and teacher at Urafirth. The bairns are really involved and we all love seeing Jordan and Christina. They are both so knowledgeable and interesting and their visits always spark off lots of stories and information about Shetland from the bairns too. The online sessions have been very well prepared and resourced but when Christina and Jordan visit in person, that's when the project really takes off as they can respond more easily on the spot to the class's questions and ideas. Jordan and Christina have a lovely, relaxed style of delivery and take everything in their stride. I feel the class are benefiting hugely from the experience."

The tutors curated the programme as a means of time travel through the history of Shetland, the language and stories of the people. Christina Inkster is a Visual Artist and Community Social Care Worker from the Shetland Isles. Her experience of supporting communities both home and away has led her to the belief and basis of her practice that it is the artist's responsibility to protect, preserve and promote culture and diversity through contemporary art for it is existential to identity, sense of belonging and connection; all of which relate to, and impact on, health and wellbeing.

We committed to ensure that the commitments in this plan are informed by and aligned with the commitments in the National Gaelic Language Plan, working closely with Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Implementation Route Map action

• The Gaelic & Scots team has prepared the new Scottish Government Gaelic Language Plan. This is currently out for public consultation after which the final draft, outlining the Scottish Government's alignment with the National Gaelic Language Plan, will be prepared.
• We will continue to work closely with Bòrd na Gàidhlig as members of the National Islands Plan Delivery Group which was established to oversee implementation of the National Islands Plan.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

There are a number of events, activities and initiatives in island areas which seek to ensure that the commitments in this plan are informed by and aligned with the commitments in the National Gaelic Language Plan, working closely with Bòrd na Gàidhlig. This includes a range of festivals, arts centres and community trusts but also bodies such as Ceòlas, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, An Comunn Gàidhealach and the Heritage Forum. A revised version of the National Gaelic Language Plan will be published this year and it will continue to be important that both documents share priorities for Gaelic in island communities.

We committed to ensure that the effect on Gaelic language development is considered from the outset in island-specific policies and initiatives and that these link to statutory Gaelic language plans.

Implementation Route Map action

• Island Communities Impact Assessments will support this process following the 2022 update to the Guidance and Toolkit which now includes consideration of impact on Gaelic speaking communities.
• The new Scottish Government Gaelic Language plan with corporate service aims to ensure the equal prominence of Gaelic and encouragement to use Gaelic in communications.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

There are a number of events, activities and initiatives in island areas which seek to ensure that the effect on Gaelic language development is considered from the outset in island-specific policies and initiatives and that these link to statutory Gaelic language plans. This includes a range of festivals, arts centres and community trusts but also bodies such as Ceòlas, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, An Comunn Gàidhealach and the Heritage Forum. Another mechanism that will be important for this commitment is Island Community Impact Assessments and the Gaelic questions that relevant authorities are asked to consider.

We committed to work with public authorities and community groups in increasing the use and visibility of Gaelic in Gaelic speaking island communities.

Implementation Route Map action

• The Gaelic & Scots team has prepared the new Scottish Government Gaelic Language Plan. This contains corporate service and aims to ensure the equal prominence of Gaelic in Scottish Government logo and branding, the prominence of Gaelic signage in Scottish Government offices, and encouragement to use Gaelic in our public communications and corporate publications. Other Scottish Government agencies, such as Social Security Scotland, provide bilingual material relating to their services and discussions are ongoing with island-based Scottish Government offices to increase their Gaelic provision. A number of Gaelic development officers are located in island communities with the aim of increasing the use and learning of Gaelic.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

There are a number of events, activities and initiatives in island areas which seek to work with public authorities and community groups in increasing the use and visibility of Gaelic in Gaelic speaking island communities. This includes a range of festivals, arts centres and community trusts but also bodies such as Ceòlas, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, An Comunn Gàidhealach and the Heritage Forum. The use and visibility of Gaelic also features in the Gaelic plans of public authorities.

Work with relevant authorities to improve Gaelic provision for Gaelic speaking island communities in delivering their functions and services.

Implementation Route Map action

The Gaelic & Scots team has prepared the new Scottish Government Gaelic Language Plan. This contains corporate service aims to ensure the equal prominence of Gaelic in Scottish Government logo and branding, the prominence of Gaelic signage in Scottish Government offices, and commitments to use Gaelic in our public communications and corporate publications. Other Scottish Government agencies, such as Social Security Scotland, provide bilingual material relating to their services and discussions are ongoing with island-based Scottish Government offices to increase their Gaelic provision. The Faster Rate of Progress Initiative and COHI also have a role here and Gaelic is emphasised in these gatherings.

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

The commitments in Gaelic plans are important in improving Gaelic provision in island communities. There are also a number of events, activities and initiatives in island areas which seek to work with relevant authorities to improve Gaelic provision for Gaelic speaking island communities in delivering their functions and services. This includes a range of festivals, arts centres and community trusts but also bodies such as Ceòlas, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, An Comunn Gàidhealach and the Heritage Forum.

We committed to support approaches that promote the sustainable management of the historic environment.

Implementation Route Map action

• Our Place in Time: Scotland's 10-year strategy for the Historic Environment, sets out a vision of how our heritage can be understood, valued, cared for and enjoyed. The Strategy will be reviewed in 2022.
• Historic Environment Scotland will soon release a Green Recovery Statement, which sets out how the historic environment delivers as part of a 'Green Economy.'

Work is ongoing in relation to this commitment.

Historic Environment Scotland plays a role in the UK and SG government assurance process, reviewing Islands Growth Deal projects/programmes, Strategic Outline Cases (SOC), Outline Business Cases (OBC) and Full Business Cases (FBC), for a wide range of projects, and facilitating input from HES colleagues and expertise across the organisation. HES also has representation on the Islands Growth Deal – Advisory Forum, as well as relevant programme and project boards, enabling HES to contribute strongly and develop wider project work regionally.

Our Place in Time Scotland's 10-year strategy for the Historic Environment, sets out a vision of how our heritage can be understood, valued, cared for and enjoyed. The Strategy was reviewed in 2022 and a new strategy will be launched in spring 2023. The revised strategy will have three key priorities : Enabling the transition to net zero, empowering vibrant, resilient, and inclusive communities and places and building a wellbeing economy.

Climate and sustainability

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has been researching climate change mitigation, impacts and adaptation in Scotland's historic environment for many years. This includes publishing their findings and advice in INFORM Guides and Short Guides (for planners, owners and contractors), Refurbishment Case Studies and Technical Papers, HES guidance to Planning Authorities in their Managing Change series, comprehensive climate impact risk analysis of the Properties in Care HES look after on behalf of Scottish Ministers, the sector guide on climate change impacts, and their first adaptation plan, Climate Ready HES.

HES published their Green Recovery Statement in 2022, which sets out how the historic environment delivers as part of a 'Green Economy'. The statement outlines how making use of what we already have through the repair, reuse and retrofit of the existing built environment can support sustainable living and reduce carbon emissions. In addition, the maintenance of traditional buildings delivers good, green jobs and skills, and supports heritage-led regeneration to create resilient communities with a distinct sense of place. HES continues to work with Scottish Government, Heat in Buildings Directorate to support the sustainable journey of pre 1919 buildings to net zero.

HES leads the sector in climate change innovation and has pioneered the Climate Vulnerability Index, which has gained international recognition, to measure and assess the impacts on our world heritage sites. This means that Scotland will be the first country in the world to have a Climate Vulnerability Index assessment for each of our world heritage sites.

Conservation of our Heritage

Our historic buildings are vulnerable to climate change, especially those without roofs, which is accelerating. The level of decay we are seeing now, and the remedial work needed are beyond traditional routine visual inspection from the ground. This means that throughout 2022 and now in 2023, HES has been inspecting the condition of several properties throughout Scotland and are reassessing how we care for them in the future. This is a bold step, and we believe HES are one of the first heritage bodies addressing this issue that will be faced over time by most/many owners of older buildings across the world.

Communities

Historic Environment Scotland have a range of Community initiatives such as the HES Community Connections Programme which is a programme that delivers a range of exciting, collaborative projects showing how the heritage that matters to you has a vital role to play in supporting your community's recovery and renewal. The programme spans the whole of Scotland. HES have created a short visitor leaflet on the Orkney Islands, outlining the main sights including breath-taking landscapes and World Heritage Sites. Other leaflets have been created for other island heritage attractions such as St Kilda.

Engine Shed

The Engine Shed is Scotland's dedicated building conservation centre, based in Stirling. Part of Historic Environment Scotland, it serves as a central hub for building and conservation professionals and the public. Our historic built environment is a finite and unique resource, yet its care calls for conservation skills that are in short supply. The learning and visitor resource is helping to encourage a greater understanding of traditional building materials and skills – and inspire future generations to continue to care for Scotland's built heritage. Much of the Engine Sheds resources are available online and accessible for all. As part of the 'Scottish 10' the Engine Shed has undertaken detailed 3D scanning of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney monuments which has given us incredible recordings of the Viking graffiti at Maeshowe and of faint Neolithic artwork at Skara Brae.