Priority 2: Empowering resilient and inclusive communities and places

Discover how people and communities are at the heart of Scotland's historic environment.

Our approach

Our Past, Our Future’s three priority areas for action have been identified through engagement and public consultation. Each priority has a set of three outcomes, making nine in total.

Explore the outcomes and the difference we want to make under Priority 1: Delivering the transition to net zero, below.

We will collectively work to deliver this priority throughout the five-year lifespan of the strategy. The more outcomes we achieve, the closer we will be to accomplishing our mission.

Outcome 4

Organisations that care for the historic environment have the right skills and are more resilient

This means ensuring that organisations who make up the backbone of the heritage sector have a viable and secure future.

Outcome 5

Communities have more opportunities to participate in decision-making about the historic environment

This means ensuring that communities have a say in what happens to our historic environment.

Outcome 6

The historic environment is more diverse and inclusive

This means ensuring that the historic environment is welcoming and accessible to all and is supported by diverse and inclusive organisations.

Read more about the priorities

Find out how we are looking to sustain and enhance the benefits of Scotland’s historic environment, to empower communities and organisations, now and into the future.

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

Case study: Montrose Playhouse

From social media dream to reality: the power of community

The Montrose Playhouse is a community funded project run by local volunteers as a registered charity. Its origins can be traced back to 2013 when a Montrose-born architectural designer uploaded speculative plans for a new cinema to social media. The site chosen was the derelict local swimming pool that lay empty after a modern facility was built nearby.

The social media post immediately garnered widespread local attention and sparked community discussions about reuse and regeneration of the site. A committee was formed and consultation began on the site’s future. Nine years later, they realised their dream of a cinema and wider cultural and arts hub.

The Montrose Playhouse is now open as an adaptable three-screen cinema with education and exhibition spaces, as well as a retail space and café bar.