Who are Historic Scotland?

We are the government agency charged with the care and protection of the Built Heritage in Scotland. That includes:

• discharging statutory duties towards Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Listed Buildings;
• giving advice and financial support in matters to do with the Built Heritage;
• caring for over 300 properties of all shapes, sizes and dates which have been gifted to the state for the benefit of future generations.

What sort of properties do we look after?

From the first farmers to the last line of defence ... our sites represent over 10,000 years of human history. With a brief as big as that how do we approach the presentation of our sites? We use an interpretative philosophy and methods derived from our own experience and that of other practitioners such as Sam Ham.

Interpretation is about sharing our enthusiasm for our sites with our visitors so that they will find them interesting too. Through good interpretation we hope that they will:

• find their visit more enjoyable and rewarding;
• understand more about the site and its wider cultural context;
• develop their interest in the built heritage and support its conservation.

It's a team effort. The core of the interpretation team is based in the Ancient Monuments Division. Chris Tabraham (Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments) looks after the Interpretation Policy and Emma Carver (Interpretation Officer) implements it!