Our Past, Our Future: The Strategy for Scotland's Historic Environment
Our mission is to sustain and enhance the benefits of Scotland's historic environment, for people and communities now and into the future
Our mission is to sustain and enhance the benefits of Scotland's historic environment, for people and communities now and into the future
Our historic environment is a national asset: it creates jobs, enriches our communities, and helps to tell Scotland’s story to the world. It’s a vital part of our transition to net zero and our mission to help local places to thrive. We want to sustain and enhance the benefits that our nation’s heritage creates, and ensure the historic environment is at the centre of national life.
This strategy adopts a mission-oriented approach. Solving the challenges and making the most of the opportunities facing Scotland requires multiple strands of activity across multiple partners and multiple sectors. The mission sets a direction of travel and helps to identify the actions needed to make effective progress on that journey.
Find out more about the strategy by following the links on this page. Information will be added to these pages as the strategy evolves, so please keep checking back.
Scotland will achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Find out how the historic environment will contribute to this target.
Discover how people and communities are at the heart of Scotland's historic environment.
Understand how our historic environment can help current and future generations to live well and our local places to thrive.
Our Past, Our Future is a strategy for everyone and will be delivered collaboratively and collectively. We need action across Scotland, from a range of different organisations, individuals, and stakeholders. Find out more about the strategy will be delivered.
Delivery
The historic environment is the physical evidence for past human activity. It connects people with place and with the traditions, stories, and memories associated with places and landscapes.
This strategy targets activity where the historic environment can deliver most benefit for the people of Scotland over the next five years. Through consultation and engagement, three priority areas for action have been identified, along with the outcomes we will work together to achieve. These are big, national-level challenge areas that require collective effort to deliver so we can realise our mission.
Our Past, Our Future has an overarching set of principles formed through engagement and public consultation. They are:
Scotland will be net-zero emissions by 2045. Find out how the historic environment will contribute to these targets.
Outcome 1:
Reduce emissions from the historic environment
Outcome 2:
The historic environment is more climate resilient
Outcome 3:
Improve pathways for the historic environment skills
Scotland’s historic environment brings colour and variety to our landscapes, inspires people and communities, and shapes the character and identity of our places.
Outcome 4:
Organisations that care for the historic environment have the right skills and are more resilient
Outcome 5:
Communities have more opportunities to participate in decision-making about the historic environment
Outcome 6:
The historic environment is more diverse and inclusive
Scotland’s historic environment can play a key role in building a wellbeing economy that operates within environmental limits and enables both current and future generations to live well.
Outcome 7:
The historic environment makes a responsible contribution to Scotland’s economy
Outcome 8:
The historic environment provides fair work
Outcome 9:
Increased engagement with the historic environment, with a focus on activities that enhance wellbeing
