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Historic Scotland

Historic Scotland is an Agency within the Education Department of the Scottish Executive and is responsible for advising the Scottish Ministers on policy and issues relating to the historic environment (also referred to as the built environment or the cultural heritage).

It has particular duties in relation to Scheduled Ancient Monuments , Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas.

Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs)

These are Ancient Monuments that have been defined as being of National Importance and are protected in law from any disturbance. It has been estimated that of the 18,000+ monuments meeting the SAM criteria, about 7,200 have been given the legal protection of scheduling. c200 new sites are scheduled each year.

The legally protected area of a SAM is marked on a map, usually at a scale of 1:10,000, supplied by Historic Scotland to owners and tenants. They are legally obliged not to cause damage to these sites, and are expected to prevent others from damaging them. Details on the precise location and extent of SAMs must be obtained directly from:

Historic Scotland Map Room,
Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments,
Historic Scotland,
Longmore House,
Salisbury Place,
Edinburgh, EH9 1SH
Tel: 0131 668 8777

Copies of SAM information are held in both the local and national Sites and Monuments Records. (see separate entries under local authorities and the RCAHMS)

Summary information can also be found on the Historic Scotland website.

The following Historic Scotland document is a useful source of information:

  • Scheduled Ancient Monuments; a guide for owners, occupiers and land managers (PDF [917K])

Any proposals to alter the condition of a SAM - even if the changes are to benefit the condition of a site - can only be done after Scheduled Ancient Monument Consent has been given through Historic Scotland. This includes proposed actions that may be beneficial to the sites such as the insertion of fence posts under an agri-environment or forestry scheme. A special SAM consent form has to be filled in and sent to Historic Scotland. It will be considered by the relevant Inspector of Ancient Monuments before approval can be given. Usually, consent is given if accompanied by conditions to limit any damage to the site and its archaeological value. A site visit during or after the works is normal, either by the Inspector of Ancient Monuments or by one of the Monument Wardens who regularly monitor the condition of SAMs.

  • Concordance of Inspectors (AM), Monument Wardens & SEERAD Area offices (Word [64K] | PDF [27K])
  • Grants for Ancient Monuments (PDF)
    A guide to grants available for the preservation and management of ancient monuments

Guardianship Sites

Over 300 monuments are directly managed by Historic Scotland and known as Properties in Care. Some of these are state-owned, others remain under private ownership but are managed on behalf of the nation under guardianship agreements between their owners and Historic Scotland. These sites have the same legal protection as SAMs.

Listed Buildings

Around 50,000 buildings in Scotland are protected under Planning legislation as listed buildings, in three categories of importance. The list includes c1800 farm buildings. The legislation puts an onus on owners to maintain these buildings in good condition. Enforcement is carried out at a local level by local planning authorities with the support of Historic Scotland on complex cases. A Register of Listed Buildings is held for each local authority in their Council Offices and Historic Scotland hold a national database. (This information is also held in Sites and Monuments Records).

  • A statutory list, Scotland's Listed Buildings, can be purchased from Historic Scotland on CD-ROM

Some local authorities employ specialist Conservation Officers to deal with Listed Buildings, while others rely on Building Control Officers.

Substantial grants may be available from Historic Scotland to help with remedial and restoration work. However demand is much greater than available funds.

The curtilage, which is the area surrounding a listed building and includes yards and walls, is also likely to be protected by the listing. Seek advice if uncertain.

The following publications and documents contain useful information:

Conservation Areas

Certain areas of special architectural or historic interest, usually centred on listed buildings, can be designated Conservation Areas by Local Authorities. This may include farm steadings and other buildings of historic interest. Restrictions may include prohibitions against removing trees, dykes and other features that may affect the visual quality of a Conservation Area.

Designed Landscapes

Historic Scotland is responsible, along with SNH for compiling an Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes. This has no statutory power but inclusion in the Inventory is a material factor in considering planning, forestry and agri-environment applications. (see also separate entry Identifying Archaeological Sites and Historic Landscapes).

Conservation Policy

Scottish Executive commitments to Sustainability and Social Justice include the historic environment and its integration into these concerns.

  • Passed to the Future; Historic Scotland's Policy for the sustainable management of the historic environment. ([PDF [2.4Mb])

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