The Scottish Government

Regional Priority Code

Built & Cultural Heritage Priorities

Relevant Packages

Shetland enjoys a rich heritage of buildings that form a vital part of the unique character of the islands. Historic buildings, ancient monuments and archaeological sites in all their variety of function, shape and appearance are visible reminders of the past representing, as they do, the social, economic and cultural history of Shetland. They are also able to bring economic benefits from tourism and preservation of traditional building and craft skills. They can be a catalyst for inward investment. With appropriate interpretation they also provide an invaluable educational resource that once lost can never be replaced.

Orkney's identity and landscape has been formed through 6 millennia of farming and fishing activities. The physical remains of past generations are a key to understanding and enjoying the present cultural landscape, where intangible attributes co-exist. The Inscription of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney as a World Heritage Site is a reflection of the richness of the islands as a whole.

15. Conservation and enhancement of the historic environment, with priority given to proposals that:

NIS15a

a. Enhance and conserve the most significant rural vernacular buildings, archaeological or historic sites Fand historic landscapes. Particularly proposals that:

5 & 6

for Shetland;

• enhance and conserve Scheduled Ancient Monuments, archaeological Sites of Regional Importance, important vernacular buildings and their settings.

for Orkney;

• enable the enhanced management and stewardship of archaeological or historic site types defined as significant in the World Heritage Site Research Agenda and Strategy
• enhance the management of archaeological and historic sites on land that is arable or improved pasture in Orkney.

NIS15b

b. Help to maintain local distinctiveness and promote local identity and pride of place through the management of vernacular rural buildings, archaeological or historic sites and historic landscapes. Particularly proposals that:

5 & 6

for Shetland;

• preserve and sympathetically manage vernacular rural buildings, archaeological or historic sites and historic landscapes to promote local identity and distinctiveness.

for Orkney;

• assist in the preservation and enhanced management of 20t hcentury military remains, redundant agricultural buildings and redundant churches and chapels in Orkney.

NIS15c

c. Contribute to the preservation and development of skills and employment opportunities through the management of vernacular rural buildings, archaeological or historic sites and historic landscapes. Particularly proposals that:

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for Shetland;

• maintain and develop traditional building and craft skills, especially where linked to employment or voluntary action, e.g. masonry, drystone work, traditional roofing and other associated traditional building skills.

for Orkney;

• maintain and develop traditional building and craft skills, especially where linked to employment or voluntary action, e.g. masonry, drystone work, traditional roofing and other associated traditional building skills.

NIS15d

d. Increase public appreciation and understanding of, and access to, the historic environment. Particularly proposals that:

3-6, 35 & 37

for Shetland;

• promote greater public appreciation of archaeological sites through access to, and interpretation, of monuments, buildings and the landscape, including Living History techniques, especially where networks of sites are linked to tell the story of a distinct area, group of people or era.

for Orkney;

• assist the public to appreciate archaeological sites in Orkney through improved understanding of the resource, interpretation and access, including access enabled through the inter-tidal zone.

NIS15e

e. Improve the viability of existing rural building stock, achieved by increasing the number and range of vernacular rural buildings that can be made viable or can continue to be viable for use. Particularly proposals that:

for Shetland;

• renovate, bring back into use or enable continued use of vernacular buildings in rural and particularly agricultural contexts, benefiting the appearance of the landscape, tourism, skills development, and economic development.

for Orkney;

renovate, bring back into use or enable continued use of vernacular buildings in rural and particularly agricultural contexts, benefiting the appearance of the landscape, tourism, skills development, and economic development.

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