Delivery

Explore how we'll deliver the strategy collaboratively and how we'll communicate progress

Shared ownership

Our Past, Our Future is a strategy for everyone and will be delivered collaboratively and collectively. Our Past, Our Future is being facilitated by a small team hosted by Historic Environment Scotland, who will support and steer the strategy to achieve its ambitions.

Scotland’s Historic Environment Forum

Each year, Scotland’s Historic Environment Forum takes place. This is where leaders and policy-makers from the historic environment and other relevant sectors come together to take stock, discuss emerging and future issues, and set the strategic direction for the year.

You can watch a recording of Scotland’s Historic Environment Forum 2024 below and find out more by downloading the post event report.

SHEF 2024 Post Event Report

National Strategy Steering Group

The national strategy will be driven by the National Strategy Steering Group. The purpose of the Steering Group is to provide direction and oversight for the implementation of the strategy.

Membership will comprise invited senior leaders from a broad range of delivery partners, representing a diversity of interests and perspectives from the historic environment, other relevant sectors, and communities that are essential to the successful delivery of the strategy at national, regional and local level.

Currently, members of the Steering Group are:

  • Archaeology Scotland
  • Built Environment Forum Scotland
  • COSLA
  • Diversity Scotland
  • Heritage Trust Network
  • Highlands & Island Enterprise
  • Historic Environment Scotland
  • Historic Houses Scotland
  • Museums Galleries Scotland
  • National Lottery Heritage Fund
  • National Trust for Scotland
  • Scottish Government – Culture and Major Events Directorate
  • Scottish Government - Net Zero Directorate
  • Skills Development Scotland
  • South of Scotland Enterprise
  • VisitScotland
  • Young Scot

Reporting

We will be transparent in how we deliver the strategy by reporting on its progress annually.

Scotland’s Historic Environment Audit (SHEA)

Since 2007 we have been collecting data on the health of the historic environment and the impact of the resources used to manage and protect it.

Our Past, Our Future incorporates SHEA and will develop it to collect and assess more facts and figures to better report and understand Scotland’s historic environment.

Read more about SHEA

Together, we'll deliver the priorities of this strategy. We need action across Scotland from a range of different organisations, individuals, and stakeholders.

Get involved

We welcome organisations, networks, and individuals to signal where they could be involved in delivering or supporting this mission. Get in touch with the team at ourpastourfuture@hes.scot.

Sustainable Investment Tool

We know investment in our existing buildings and heritage contributes to positive outcomes for people, places and the environment. In 2023 the Sustainable Investment Tool - or SIT - was launched to help visualise the positive aspects of doing this well. The SIT is designed to help us understand our places and increase their potential and resilience. It will help everyone, from building owners and local authorities to funding providers and community groups, understand how to discuss and plan a sustainable future for Scotland’s historic environment.

Sustainable Investment Tool
A person in a hard hat and high visibility jacket holding a clipboard standing on scaffolding reviewing and old building

Read more about the delivery

Find out how we're using Scotland's historic environment to empower communities and organisations.

Download Our, Past Our Future
Two copies of the Our Place Our Future strategy, one open and one closed