About Us

7 October 2024

New Learning & Outreach Framework Unveiled

Diversity, creativity and partnerships at centre of ‘Making Sense of Scotland’

A man and woman pose in front of a modern glass and metal building whilst holding a large board showing a photograph of children exploring a historic site. The board is printed with the words Making Sense of Scotland Outreach and Learning Framework. The sun is shining.

Martin O’Neill, Artistic Director at The Stove Network, and Katerina Brown, CEO at HES, at the launch of the new Making Sense of Scotland outreach and learning framework

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has today (Monday 7 October 2024) unveiled its innovative new outreach and learning framework, ‘Making Sense of Scotland’. Designed to forge deeper connections between Scotland's heritage and its people, the framework prioritises diversity, creativity and accessibility.  

At the heart of Making Sense of Scotland is a commitment to making Scotland's historic environment a valuable national resource for lifelong learning by reaching out to a wider audience base and establishing an extensive and empowering partnership network. Through a tailored offer of inclusive services, content and programmes, the framework aims to inspire, educate and empower learning audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and to break down barriers to access.

The framework includes eight key aims, each helping those using the framework to enhance their work, improve measurement and evaluation.  It will drive meaningful engagement through cross-sector collaboration, and in doing so, be more inclusive and accessible to all. The eight aims are:  

  • Access and Understand 
  • Learn and Reflect 
  • Inclusion and Diversity 
  • Skills and Expertise 
  • Ideas and Creativity 
  • Wellbeing and Have Fun 
  • Share and Collaborate 
  • People and Places

The Making Sense of Scotland framework provides a structured and tailored approach to connect with diverse learning audiences, from adult education and supporting additional needs, to schools, youth work, community outreach and more. At its heart is a mission to enable audiences to make sense of their heritage without boundaries, through creative and participative learning. The framework promotes a sensory based approach, which aims to empower and enable educators, learners and communities to make sense of Scotland’s historic environment so that it is relevant and accessible for all. Collaboration and inclusivity will be key in harnessing the opportunities of this framework, to inspire colleagues and educators to make the most of the historic environment as a national resource for learning.

A recent exhibition created by Inclusive Images in partnership with HES saw the Making Sense of Scotland framework in action and showcased the power of community-led storytelling. The project, ‘Picturing Our Past’, exhibited images from de-industrialised areas of the West of Scotland, which were put on display in Stirling Castle. A collaboration between local communities, cultural and heritage organisations, the project demonstrated the new learning and outreach framework’s ability to encourage creativity, inclusion, wellbeing and a sense of belonging  

Katerina Brown, Chief Executive at HES, said:  

“We believe that heritage is a powerful tool for personal and societal growth. Making Sense of Scotland is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to connect with and learn from Scotland's rich heritage. Learning doesn’t only happen in the classroom, but it can also happen visiting one of our sites, exploring the outdoors, by watching a film, reading a book or seeing an exhibition. ‘Making Sense of Scotland’ provides a framework to engage and empower learners by helping make sense of the abundant Scottish heritage all around us.  

“Working with cross-sector partners and key audiences, we believe this new framework is another crucial step in putting people and communities at the heart of Scotland’s story and helping to break down barriers. Following on from the framework, a new themed Making Sense of Scotland outreach and learning programme is due to launch in Spring 2025.”  

Angus Robertson, Culture Secretary, said:

“Scotland’s historic environment is a resource that belongs to us all, and the Making Sense of Scotland framework shows our commitment to ensuring it remains as inclusive, accessible, and relevant to everybody.

This initiative will help to break down barriers, increase creativity, and inspire lifelong learning for people of all backgrounds. We look forward to seeing the impact it will make in encouraging people to connect with our historic environment.

Martin O’Neill, Artistic Director, The Stove Network said:

“Making Sense of Scotland comes at a pivotal time for creatively led, inclusive engagement across the nation. At The Stove, we’re thrilled to be partnering with Historic Environment Scotland, aligning our shared values to foster deeper connections and greater opportunities for all.” 

The framework encompasses HES's extensive programme of existing learning services, such as Free Learning Visits and online resources. 

Notes to editors: 

  • The HES Outreach and Learning group sits within the Marketing and Engagement directorate and makes creative use of our historic environment through services and programmes including:
  • Supporting schemes and resources that remove barriers and provide inclusive access to heritage sites, collections and archives.
  • Learning programmes as part of formal education for early years, schools, further education, and higher education.
  • Informal learning activities for visitors, friends and families and communities
  • Targeted partnership projects and outreach programmes that support priority audiences including underrepresented groups, schools outreach and youth engagement, working with creative industries and education partners.
  • Commercial publications
  • The HES Commemorative Plaque Scheme
  • The Stove Network is an award-winning arts and community organisation based in Southwest Scotland. We use creativity to bring together people and ideas, inspire and support new community-led projects, grow opportunities and celebrate our local places and people. We believe art, community and creativity are a gateway to help understand our world and empower us to make the changes necessary to support and grow the ideas and experiences we need to map a fairer future for us all. Our vision is to help make Dumfries & Galloway a place where communities thrive through collaboration, enterprise and risk-taking.
  • The Stove Network were Commissioned by HES to lead Creative Caerlaverock, an innovative approach to creative learning, heritage and community arts working to realise and inspire new possibilities in working with the region’s historic locations. Through gatherings, activities, groups and residencies, this co-created project is seeking new relationships, understandings and links to our past so as to understand and connect with our future. From climate change to migration, Creative Caerlaverock is embarking on a creative journey through the records both real and imaginary, shaking-out new interpretations of the role heritage plays in our current outlook of the world.

About Historic Environment Scotland (HES) 

  • We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
  • Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
  • View our press pack and keep up to date by registering to receive our media releases. Already registered? You can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link, included in every email.

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For further information, please contact:

Ashley Liddle
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot

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