The historic environment is one of our most precious assets. It contributes to our economy, to our cultural identity and to our sense of place. Without it, Scotland wouldn’t be Scotland.
Our historic environment supports more than 60,000 jobs – 2.5% of Scotland’s total employment. It contributes £2.3 billion to the national gross value added (GVA). There is tourism, obviously, but also jobs and work for local businesses in its care and restoration.
It was forecast that 3.76 million visits would be made to Historic Scotland sites in 2015–16. That’s 102,000 more visits than the previous year.
These are hard economic reasons why the historic environment is so important to Scotland. For many overseas visitors who come to Scotland to learn more about our history and heritage, our historic environment is what defines our nation.
It also contributes to our own cultural identity and sense of place.
The historic environment is all around us. Town and countryside are crammed full of character, which we can enjoy and engage with easily and every day. The places we live, work and visit tell us how people have shaped our society and landscape over time. These stories connect us with our roots.
Contact
Historic Environment Scotland
Longmore House
Salisbury Place
Edinburgh
EH9 1SH
Telephone: 0131 668 8600
Email: website@hes.scot