Local residents, businesses and organisations in Orkney are being asked for their views on Orkney’s World Heritage Site as part of a community consultation on its future management.
Three drop-in sessions will be held across Orkney, offering locals the opportunity to have their say on the impact of the World Heritage Site within the community, and how they feel about the management of the site, both now and in the future. The dates for these sessions are:
- Tue 11 Feb 6-7:30pm at St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall
- Wed 12 Feb 3-4:30pm at Maeshowe Visitor Centre, Stenness
- Sat 15 Feb 2.30-4pm at Milestone Community Centre, Dounby
Residents and businesses will also be able to take part in the consultation by completing an online survey, which is open until Friday 21 February. Hard copies of the survey will also be available from Kirkwall and Stromness libraries, as well as the reception of the Orkney Islands Council offices at School Place, Kirkwall. Consultants will also be meeting with community organisations throughout the week to hear their views.
HONO ConsultationThe Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site is located in the West Mainland and comprises the domestic settlement at Skara Brae, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, the Stones of Stenness circle and henge and the Ring of Brodgar stone circle.
UNESCO inscribed the Heart of Neolithic Orkney in 1999 for the outstanding testimony the monuments bear to the cultural achievements of the Neolithic peoples of northern Europe.
The individual sites that form part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney are managed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The World Heritage Site is managed in partnership by HES, Orkney Islands Council, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the RSPB.
Alice Lyall, Deputy Head of World Heritage at HES, said:
One of six remarkable World Heritage Sites in Scotland, The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is also one of the richest surviving Neolithic landscapes in Western Europe.
“As well as supporting the local economy as a key driver for tourism to Orkney, we know the World Heritage Site also plays an important role in shaping local identity.
“It’s important that the public have the opportunity to have their say as we begin development of our new management plan for the site, and we’re keen to engage as widely as possible to find out what the World Heritage Site means to people in Orkney, and how best we can protect and promote the site for the future.”
The community consultation and engagement will inform a new five-year Management Plan for the World Heritage Site, to be published later in the year.
About Year of Coasts and Waters 2020
The Year of Coasts and Waters (#YCW2020) led by VisitScotland, will be showcased throughout 2020 and celebrated with a programme of events. Activities and ideas will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have had on Scotland, from the formation of beautiful natural features to the creation of our national drink - whisky.
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