Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has published Heritage for All, its new Corporate Plan for 2022–2025.
The plan updates the previous Heritage for All to reflect the changes that have occurred over the last three years, while retaining an emphasis on delivering positive impacts for the people of Scotland. Heritage for All was first launched in 2019 and provided a new framework for HES’s work by focusing on five key outcomes.
- The historic environment makes a real difference to people’s lives
- The historic environment is looked after, protected and managed for generations to come
- The historic environment makes a broader contribution to the economy of Scotland and its people
- The historic environment inspires a creative and vibrant Scotland
- The historic environment is cared for and championed by a high performing organisation
Running through the plan is the ambition to make a positive impact for the people who live and work in Scotland, and for the millions of people who visit our country each year. Through the different components that make up Scotland’s historic environment, from tourism and skills to digital innovation and engagement, to research, planning consents and designations, HES will contribute to building a fairer, more sustainable future.
The refreshed Heritage for All, gives heightened focuses to key areas including post-pandemic recovery, community wealth building, and responsible tourism. Climate change is posing an unprecedented threat to historic assets in Scotland and beyond, and much of HES’s focus over the next three years will be on mitigating where possible and adapting to the impacts of the changing climate. The COVID-19 pandemic has also thrown the inequalities facing our society into sharp relief, and HES will be working to broaden participation and engagement in heritage to ensure that heritage really is for all.
The plan also sets out wider ambitions to create a more representative historic environment, champion skills, promote innovation, and build stronger relationships with local communities. HES will also build on learning developed during the pandemic to use digital platforms to provide more ways to share Scotland’s story, and the stories of the people and places who have shaped it.
Commenting on the publication of the plan, Dr Hugh Hall, Chair of Historic Environment Scotland said;
“In setting out our Corporate Plan for 2022–2025, we felt that Heritage for All was more relevant than ever, with the different ways in which people engage with, experience, and connect with heritage continuing to evolve.
The past two years have reshaped Scotland and there are key challenges that we individually and collectively need to address – such as combating climate change, promoting sustainable economic recovery, and supporting the resilience of Scotland’s communities.
“But there are also opportunities to be explored through being agile in our approach to Scotland’s heritage through digital innovation, knowledge sharing, partnerships and contributing to key agendas such as Scotland’s commitment to net zero through the reuse and retrofit of existing buildings.
“Through the publication of this new plan, we are expressing a renewed commitment to Heritage for All as well as reimaging our lead role for the sector and being responsive and adaptable to the challenges and opportunities ahead. We will maintain our focus on an outcomes-based approach to our work, so that the past continues to play an important role in building our future.”
The Plan is accompanied each year by an Annual Operating Plan which is published in the Spring.
The Annual Operating Plan sets out the route map for the organisation on a yearly basis and parameters to enable an agile approach to responding to the challenges and opportunities as Scotland and the world emerge from the pandemic.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- We are the lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment. We will lead on delivering Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, Our Place in Time.
- Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
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For further information, please contact:
Zoë Carpenter
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
Mobile: 07221 959 962
communications@hes.scot