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Historic Environment Scotland

Nowadays, Historic Environment Scotland has become a topic of interest and debate in different areas. Its relevance ranges from politics, economy, society, environment, technology, science and culture. Historic Environment Scotland significantly impacts people's daily lives and decision-making worldwide. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to Historic Environment Scotland and its influence in various contexts, as well as its evolution over time. Additionally, we will discuss the role Historic Environment Scotland plays today and how it is expected to influence the future.

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Historic Environment Scotland
Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba

Longmore House in Edinburgh, headquarters of Historic Environment Scotland
Organisation overview
Formed1 October 2015 (2015-10-01)
Preceding agencies
TypeNon-departmental public body
JurisdictionScottish Government
HeadquartersLongmore House
Edinburgh, Scotland
Employees1,500+ (incl. volunteers)
Minister responsible
Organisation executives
  • Sir Mark Jones, Chairman
  • Katerina Brown, Chief Executive
Websitewww.historicenvironment.scot Edit this at Wikidata

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) (Scottish Gaelic: Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba) is an executive non-departmental public body responsible for investigating, caring for and promoting Scotland's historic environment. HES was formed in 2015 from the merger of government agency Historic Scotland with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).

History

The responsibilities of HES were formerly split between Historic Scotland, a government agency responsible for properties of national importance, and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), which collected and managed records about Scotland's historic environment.[1] Under the terms of a Bill of the Scottish Parliament published on 3 March 2014,[2] the pair were dissolved and their functions transferred to Historic Environment Scotland, on 1 October 2015.[3]

Historic Environment Scotland is a non-departmental public body with charitable status, governed by a board of trustees appointed by the Scottish Ministers. The body is charged with implementing "Our Past, Our Future", Scotland's historic environment strategy, and has responsibility for buildings and monuments in state care, as well as national collections of manuscripts, drawings and photographs. Beyond these collections, Historic Environment Scotland provides funding and guidance for conservation works and education across Scotland.[4]

Historic Environment Scotland's first Chief Executive was Alex Paterson from 2016-2023,[5] with his successor Katerina Brown appointed in September 2024.[6]

Canmore was an online database maintained by Historic Environment Scotland until 2025 when it was replaced by Trove.[7] Previously it was maintained by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. The National Collection of Aerial Photography is also now a sub-brand of HES.[8] The collections are primarily stored in John Sinclair House and plans for a new collection centre, Archive House in Bonnyrigg, were announced in July 2023 with completion by 2026 anticipated. These plans were suspended in July 2024 due to escalating costs.[9]

Properties

Historic Environment Scotland maintains more than 300 properties of national importance some of which are staffed and charge admission such as Edinburgh Castle, Skara Brae and Fort George. These properties have additional features such as guidebooks, books, visitor centres and other resources.

As a result of tactile masonry surveys beginning in 2021 70 sites were either closed or partially closed to the public due to perceived risk of falling masonry. Reopening of some was not anticipated before 2025.[10]

Historic Environment Scotland manages Holyrood Park and following a rock fall from Salisbury Crags in September 2018, closed public access to the Radical Road. Plans to partially reopen it were announced in September 2025.[11]

Departments

Historic Environment Scotland is split into several departments, some of which are still under the brand 'Historic Scotland', while others are under the 'Historic Environment Scotland' branding.

Site stewards

The site stewards are the employees responsible for working at the agency's site properties. At certain sites, such as Maeshowe in Orkney, the stewards are trained tourist guides, and are responsible for providing guided tours of the sites that require them.

Ranger service

The Historic Environment Scotland Ranger service operates at sites that do not have visitor centres, offering free guided tours of outdoor sites for anyone who is present. The Ranger service is made up of predominantly paid staff, plus a number of volunteers.

Monument Conservation Unit

The Monument Conservation Unit is Historic Environment Scotland's maintenance department, responsible for the upkeep of the agency's sites. The department is made up of construction workers such as labourers, joiners and stonemasons. Their tasks range from painting fences and pulling weeds, to constructing stone walls and wooden floors.

Membership

Membership under the brand name Historic Scotland is promoted by the organisation, with benefits such as free entry to all their properties and events for the duration of the annual membership, as well as half-price or free entry to properties in England (under the care of English Heritage), Wales (under the care of Cadw), and the Isle of Man (under the care of Manx National Heritage). Lifetime memberships are also available, and all members receive the quarterly magazine 'Historic Scotland'.

2025 Controversies

In September 2025 the Chairman, Hugh Hall, resigned before the end of his term amidst ongoing press reporting of infighting, racist language, financial impropriety and the misuse of corporate entertainment by senior leaders in the organisation.[12] On 22 September 2025 Sir Mark Jones was appointed Chairman, and on 27 October 2025 the Auditor General for Scotland announced its intent to publish a report relating to weakness in governance, financial arrangements and leadership instability within the organisation.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "A new lead public body for the historic environment" (PDF). Historic Environment Scotland.
  2. ^ "Historic Environment Scotland Bill". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  3. ^ McKenzie, Steven (30 September 2015). "Monuments body RCAHMS produces final report ahead of merger". BBC News. Archived from the original on 15 September 2016.
  4. ^ "About Historic Environment Scotland". Historic Environment Scotland.
  5. ^ "Statement from Alex Paterson | HistEnvScot". www.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Historic Environment Scotland appoints new CEO | Historic Environment Scotland". www.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Retiral of HES web services | Historic Environment Scotland". www.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  8. ^ "National Collection of Aerial Photography". www.historicenvironment.scot. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  9. ^ Hardaker, Alistair (29 July 2024). "Rising costs force Historic Environment Scotland to pause 'Archive House' project". Museums + Heritage. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Historic Environment Scotland needs two years to complete safety inspections". 13 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Plan to partially reopen Edinburgh's Radical Road". 4 September 2025.
  12. ^ "'Corruption files' spark investigation at Scotland's top heritage body".
  13. ^ "The 2024/25 audit of Historic Environment Scotland: Section 22 report". 27 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
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