Historic Environment Scotland

22/08/2026

It's World Folklore Day!

Check out Catriona Murray’s fascinating blog on Scotland’s Gaelic fairy folklore, complete with a handy guide to recognising fairies... just in case you think you’ve met one. 👀

And while you’re at it, let us know in the comments: do you think your sibling might be a changeling? 😉

🔗 https://ow.ly/kEtQ50ZCscP

Illustrations by the talented Brian Lee.

18/08/2026

On this day in 1966, the Tay Road Bridge opened to traffic, transforming connections between Dundee and Fife. Last year alone, the bridge carried an estimated two million journeys across the river Tay!

To mark its 60th anniversary, we're looking back at the bridge's construction through remarkable photographs from the David Wilson Laing Collection.

Have a look:

Marking 60 years of the Tay Road Bridge, discover rare archive photographs documenting its construction and Dundee's changing skyline.

15/08/2026

On this day in 1840, the foundation stone of the Scott Monument in Edinburgh was laid. It was part of an official ceremony to mark the anniversary of Scott's birthday, on 15 August 1840.

The monument was designed by George Meikle Kemp, a self-taught architect. Although he had little formal education, he worked as a millwright and studied Gothic architecture of the period. From this, he won a competition to design a monument to Walter Scott in the city centre.

The monument was completed four years later in autumn 1844, but sadly Kemp was not there to see it. He had drowned in the Union canal mere months before. His ten year old son placed the final finial of the monument, and there was a public outpouring of grief after his death.

Despite his humble beginnings, Kemp is now revered as the architect of the monument. In the years since it was built, the Scott monument has become an icon of the Edinburgh skyline for locals and tourists alike.

These images pulled from our archives on Trove show engravings of the monument after its completion, and a ticket to the foundation stone laying ceremony itself. 🎫
Images licensed by The Writers' Museum.

14/08/2026

Have you filled out our Scotland’s Football Heritage survey yet? ⚽

Just a few weeks left for you to tell us about your Scottish football heritage places! We want to understand modern football’s historic roots in Scotland and create records for places important to our national game. We’re looking for fans of all teams to contribute by suggesting places connected to your club or helping to create our records.

Fill in the survey here before the final whistle: https://haveyoursay.historicenvironment.scot/heritage/tell-us-about-important-football-places/

09/08/2026

Some exciting book news for World Book Lovers Day! 🎉 We're thrilled that our Taigh-dubh Àrnoil / Arnol Blackhouse Guidebook has been shortlisted for the Donald Meek Prize for Best Non-fiction Book at the Gaelic Literature Awards 2026.

Tha naidheachd spreòdach againn dhuibh airson Là Gràdhaichean-leabhar! Tha sinn air ar dòigh gu bheil ar leabhar-iùil Taigh-dubh Àrnoil air geàrr-liostadh Duais Dhòmhnaill Meek airson Leabhar Neo-fhicsein aig Na Duaisean Litreachais 2026.



The bilingual guidebook, with side-by-side Gaelic and English text, helps visitors discover a uniquely preserved thatched house and gain a deeper understanding of the lives of the island crofters who once called it home.

Bidh an leabhar-iùil dà-chànanach, le Gàidhlig is Beurla taobh ri taobh, a’ cuideachadh luchd-tadhail gus tuigse nas doimhne fhaighinn air taigh tughte a chaidh a ghlèidheadh gu sònraichte, agus dòigh beatha na croitearan aig an robh an taigh seo na dhachaigh.



Congratulations and thanks to author Kirsty MacDonald, and to all the work from colleagues who helped make this award-nominated publication possible.

Meal ur naidheachd is taing mhòr don ùghdar Curstaidh NicDhòmhnaill, is do na cho-obraichean a chuidich gus am foillseachan seo, a tha ainmichte airson duaise, a dhèanamh.

Find out more about the guidebook on our online shop: /
Faigh a-mach barrachd mun leabhar-iùil air ar bùth air loidhne: https://stor.scot/products/arnol-blackhouse-guidebook-new?srsltid=AfmBOoodEuXetP_mbIAyMEHYVHWuEn24Dtuwz5Aso7XGQNRYIwehNxsr

06/08/2026

Pick your seat!🎭The King's Theatre in Edinburgh has opened its doors once again, welcoming audiences back for the first time since redevelopment began in 2023.

To celebrate, we're sharing a few images from our Trove archives, two from 1945 and a drawing of the theatre from 1905.

It's wonderful to see this much-loved venue looking so magnificent. We're proud to have supported its journey towards reopening through advising and our grants programme. Our teams were heavily involved in advising the Council on the alterations to the category A listed King’s Theatre. Our involvement helped keep the historic circle bar – and other features within the iconic venue. Alongside the restoration work, our funding has helped preserve and share the stories that make the King's such an important part of Edinburgh's cultural life.

Through oral histories, archive collections, talks, tours and other heritage activities, the project is capturing memories and uncovering stories from performers, staff, audiences and local communities. These stories will continue to be shared through an expanded online archive, and a permanent heritage display in the theatre. We're so excited to see future generations connect with the stories of this iconic place, both on and off the stage.

📷1 & 2: ©Courtesy of HES (Copies of material relating to King's Theatre, Edinburgh, Scotland). Permission granted by Capital Theatres, Edinburgh.
3: ©Courtesy of HES.

05/08/2026

Our archives aren't all serious Edwardian ladies and gentlemen with impressive moustaches!
They also capture moments of fun, like these wonderful photographs of children out playing 🤸‍♀️🤸‍♂️

We've selected these images from our trove.scot archives to mark Playday, the UK's national day for play. This year's theme is about creating opportunities for children to play wherever they are, so we've taken a look back at urban playgrounds from the past – including scenes from the 1930s and 1970s.

Here's to ensuring that future generations have safe, welcoming spaces to have their own everyday adventures 🚀

31/07/2026

Guardians of a Changing Planet 🌍

Today, on , we're celebrating the vital role that Rangers play in protecting our natural and cultural heritage. This year's theme, "Rangers: Guardians of a Changing Planet," highlights the growing challenges facing protected places and the people who care for them.

Across the globe, ranger services are responding to the increasing threat of wildfires. 🔥

Our ranger team is no different. While the recent fire at Holyrood Park was thankfully much smaller than the devastating wildfires seen elsewhere around the world, its impact has been felt in the heart of Edinburgh and on one of the city's most iconic green spaces.

🎥 In this video, our Ranger & Visitor Service Manager, Martin Gray, talks about the effects of the fire on Holyrood Park and the recovery work that lies ahead.

24/07/2026

It's Day!

Archaeologists Nick and Stefan took to our blog to tackle your questions from Facebook and Instagram about the exciting discovery of a "new" circle at Machrie Moor, Arran. Take a look to find out how techniques such as geophysical survey help us uncover new archaeological features.

One thing became clear from your questions: interest in prehistoric monuments and their possible links to astronomy is very well aligned indeed. 😄

https://ow.ly/wOzw50ZsgOw

Image credit: Lee Howard

We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection.

Sa Ghàidhlig: Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba.

23/07/2026

Today marks the beginning of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow! 🏅

This is the 4th time that Scotland has hosted the Games. As well as Glasgow 2014, Edinburgh has hosted twice, in 1970 and 1986. We're also one of only six countries to have competed in every Commonwealth Games since the first Empire Games in 1930.

We're excited to see what the Glasgow 2026 Games have in store!

While we're looking forward to seeing all the sporting action, we're also looking back at past Games. If you want to find out more, come and delve into our archives at our 'Summer of sport' archive talk on Monday (27 July) at 2pm. Discover how the cities developed to host sporting events, as well as become venues for the most popular acts through history up until today.

Find out more and book: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/whats-on/all/overview/?eventId=5c481652-2fa7-4451-ae42-b45000b570a8

🚴🤸📷Licensed by Newsquest Media Group via SRAN. Courtesy of HES.
📷 © Licensed by Hulton Getty vis SCRAN