The vision of the new body to emerge from the merger of Scotland’s two national heritage bodies primarily responsible for information and protection respectively – RCAHMS and Historic Scotland – has been set out, with the intention to create ‘an organisation more strongly positioned to build on Historic Scotland’s lead role in heritage tourism’.
The business case that Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, has recommended to the Scottish Cabinet includes an option for the creation of a non-departmental public body (NDPB) responsible for the existing functions of the merging bodies, including regulation.
Public consultation on the decision over the merger, and on the related Historic Environment Strategy, will follow over the summer. As part of that consultation, stakeholders and the public will have the opportunity to express their views about the purpose, vision and values of the new organisation.
RCAHMS & Historic Scotland write:
Speaking about the merger of their two organisations, Historic Scotland acting Chief Executive Ian Walford, and RCAHMS Chief Executive Diana Murray, said, ‘We intend to create an internationally recognised heritage organisation that celebrates the nation’s historic environment, acts as a guardian for historic properties and culturally significant archives, and provides leadership across the sector.’
‘By bringing our two organisations together, we will create a single body driven by passion for heritage, which thrives on knowledge, expertise and research, and which carries out its work for the benefit of Scotland’s people – now and in the future.’
‘The purpose, vision and values of the new organisation have been scoped out by the senior managers of both organisations, RCAHMS Commissioners and Historic Scotland Advisory Committee members, and have been informed by consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. At the same time, Historic Scotland has carried out a fundamental review of the Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland, ensuring the future of the wider historic environment is considered alongside the role of the new body.’
Speaking about the benefits of bringing the two organisations together, Diana Murray said, ‘RCAHMS holds heritage assets of national and international significance and is recognised as one of Scotland’s National Collections. Historic Scotland manages the historic properties and monuments that are in the care of Scottish Ministers, as well as a wide range of objects which enhance our knowledge and understanding of the historic environment.’
‘Together, these resources provide a rich and varied portrait of the heritage of Scotland and beyond. By taking an integrated approach to their preservation and presentation, there is an opportunity to showcase the best of Scotland’s historic environment to domestic and international audiences.’
The new organisation will aim to grow tourism expenditure associated with heritage in Scotland, currently estimated to support around 37,000 full time equivalent jobs, representing nearly £1.3 billion gross value added.
Speaking about the potential to maximise Scotland’s historic environment assets, Ian Walford said, ‘Merging Historic Scotland’s functions with those of RCAHMS will result in an organisation more strongly positioned to build on Historic Scotland’s lead role in heritage tourism. While RCAHMS does not have a tourism service, it can provide a complementary role through its surveying, research and online activities, which assist in interpreting Scotland’s places and past and in promoting heritage tourism. This combination will provide high quality and authentic visitor experiences, and contribute more fully to Visit Scotland’s long term strategy.’
Continuing to develop knowledge and understanding of the historic environment are also seen as key roles for the new body. Both organisations have specific areas of expertise in recording Scotland’s buildings and places – from aerial photography and laser scanning to GIS mapping – and both are involved in different ways in gathering new information and knowledge through field surveys, research and interpretation. To promote a sense of ownership at local level, it is intended that the new body will work more closely with communities – encouraging active citizenship and mitigating against the future cost of damage or neglect of the historic environment.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, explained that ensuring organisational sustainability is also crucial to the creation of the new body. ‘A merger provides the opportunity to examine all aspects of operations, seek out more effective and efficient ways of working, and prioritise the integration of future activities. In this way it will be possible to create a more resilient organisation better able to manage and celebrate the historic environment and to build on and protect the valuable skills, knowledge and expertise of its staff.’
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