HES welcomes continued Scottish Government support

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has warmly welcomed the Scottish Government’s continued support for the heritage sector, confirmed in today’s budget announcement.

The settlement recognises HES’s strong income growth and efficiency savings, and builds on the revised Framework Agreement introduced last year as part of Public Service Reform. This agreement gives HES greater financial freedoms to manage its commercial income, enabling the organisation to reinvest every penny into protecting Scotland’s historic environment, tackling climate change, supporting skills and jobs, as well as enhancing visitor experiences. As part of the five-year plan to reduce reliance on public funding by £10 million, resource funding will reduce by a further £2 million this year. This approach reflects HES’s commitment to sustainability and long-term resilience, ensuring Scotland’s heritage continues to thrive for future generations.

Sir Mark Jones, Chair of HES commented:

"We warmly welcome the Scottish Government’s continuing support for HES and the heritage sector through our unique funding framework. These greater freedoms allow us to invest more in safeguarding Scotland’s historic environment and delivering world-class experiences for visitors.”

HES looks after over 300 historic properties, and their associated collections across Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers, as well as providing outreach, educational and cultural activities. The organisation also provides a core statutory and regulatory function in Scotland’s planning system.

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.

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For further information, please contact:

Laura Ely
Historic Environment Scotland Communications Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot