Issue 39 Sept 23 - Journal - Page 81
Minister for Culture, Europe
and International Development
announces new strategy for the
future of Scotland’s historic
environment
The transition to net zero, resilient communities and places, and the wellbeing economy are at the
heart of the new five-year strategy
Christina McKelvie, Minister for Culture, Europe and
International Development, has today (28 June)
launched Our Past, Our Future, the new strategy for
Scotland’s historic environment sector.
and use the historic environment to improve people’s
wellbeing. It also has a strong focus on the transition to
net zero alongside a forward-looking ambition to empower
communities and build a wellbeing economy.
Led by Historic Environment Scotland, it was created
following a public consultation, in collaboration with 10
organisations* representing Scotland’s heritage sector including the Scottish Government, to create a new national strategy for those working in the public sector and
beyond.
Scotland’s historic environment plays a key role in the
country’s economy, sustaining 68,000 full-time equivalent
jobs and generating £4.4 billion per year pre-COVID
pandemic. These numbers are expected to increase by
an estimated 10,000 new jobs over the next decade to
maintain and adapt Scotland’s traditional building stock.
The strategy, which builds on the previous strategy ‘Our
Place in Time’, is intended to provide a roadmap for the
next five years and highlights the sector’s shared ambition
to make a responsible contribution to Scotland’s economy
The strategy also sets out the goal of further retrofitting
and putting Scotland’s traditional buildings back into use;
estimates put these buildings at representing 19% of Scotland’s housing stock, 33% of retail space, and almost 50%
of spaces used by the public sector.
Below, Ailsa Macfarlane (left), Director for Built Environment
Scotland; Christina McKelvie (centre), Minister for Culture, Europe Today’s launch event was held in Citation in Glasgow, a
and International Development; Alex Paterson (right), Chief Executive B-listed former courthouse built in 1844 which is now in
re-use.
Officer of Historic Environment Scotland.
