Trust warns history and heritage may be ignored in new national culture strategy

SCOTLAND’S historic buildings, landscapes and traditions are in danger of being ignored in a new national cultural strategy, according to the National Trust for Scotland.

The nation’s historic buildings, castles, hills and glens – and its traditions such as Burns Night – could be sidelined in favour of modern artforms, the Trust’s (NTS) head of policy has warned.

The government’s Culture Strategy is a key policy for the arts in Scotland, although as yet it is unclear when it will be published.

However, Diarmid Hearns, of the NTS, said he was disappointed that a recent report outlining the consultation process thus far “does not adequately reflect the importance of our cultural places, buildings, monuments and landscapes.” The NTS said “it is imperative that his crucial part of Scottish life isn’t ignored.”

Mr Hearns said that the engagement report drew a “preponderance” of views from the kind of arts backed by Creative Scotland, the arts funding body, and that built and unbuilt heritage also deserve to be addressed in the strategy. He said: “We hope it will recognise the value of place, of beauty, and the local character.”