At Keep Scotland Beautiful we seek to support communities to explore and celebrate the heritage of the places they value through our programme Our Heritage, Our Future and our Project Officer Helena Fox has written about some of their favourite spaces.
A recent Historic Environment Scotland (HES) survey found 60% of people reported improved wellbeing because of visiting a HES site. Because of this, they have launched Historic Places, Breathing Spaces - a new campaign to help boost wellbeing through connection to heritage.
At Keep Scotland Beautiful we seek to support communities to explore and celebrate the heritage of the places they value through our programme Our Heritage, Our Future.
I love visiting islands. Since moving to Scotland two years ago, it has not ceased to be a novelty that I can day- or weekend-trip to these places, when the journeys there themselves used to take full days of travelling. The ferry to Arran has often been a particularly life-affirming ride: standing at the prow of the ship on a choppy day, the wind rips through your hair as spray crashes over the sides of the ship (sometimes soaking unsuspecting passengers who have found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong moment). On calmer crossings, you’ll still find me glued to the deck, looking for glimpses of dolphins and porpoises, and the occasional minke whale.
History and nature link together seamlessly in island spaces. On Iona, I stood in St Columba’s footsteps at his cell and the Abbey, before walking across the island to swim from Port Ban beach. I was lucky with a beautifully sunny and warm day. The water, while much colder than the air, was bright and crystal clear – almost too clear, when it came to seeing just how large the crabs on the seabed were. On Eigg, my parents and I cycled to Croft n6, Tigh Iain Dhonnchaidh (John Campbell’s house), enthralled by the carefully preserved family home life. We then emerged back into the mist and the spectacular rock formations above us reaching, like fingers, from the clouds.
A visit to Islay found me cycling through woodland, past sheep and bays, to the magnificent Kildalton Cross. My love for all things medieval fuelled by my undergraduate degree is still going strong, and I was thrilled to see the cross standing in its original spot, where it has been for over 1,200 years, with many of its carvings still visible. With the sense of longevity and spirituality at the site fuelling our return cycle, we rewarded ourselves with a dip in the sea and a dram (or two) – it was Islay, after all.
Another memorable occasion was kayaking from Castlebay, on Barra, to the Vatersay causeway. Scotland’s ‘four seasons in a day’ were out in full force, from warm September sunshine to driving, horizontal rain, and wind that I feared might blow me into the Atlantic (always take a guide and a life jacket!). While Kisimul Castle is closed for conservation works, it was still deeply atmospheric to see the structure that gives the bay its name from the water. Heading towards Vatersay, we were joined by several seals, their heads bobbing in the water, under the rain. On the return, we glimpsed an otter as it slipped back into the sea.
Whether I’m seeking heritage, nature, water for swimming or inspiration, I know I’ll find it all on an island (fairly) nearby – and I feel very lucky for that.
I'm thrilled that HES is encouraging us all to take time for ourselves and connect with heritage. I hope that, through my role in the Our Heritage, Our Future programme, I can play a part in helping communities celebrate the heritage that means the most to them and best care for it for future generations to enjoy.
Our Heritage, Our Future offers a wide range of activities to understand the value of our places and their heritage, and inspire action to look after them. If you want to find out more or get involved get in touch with us at communities@keepscotlandbeautiful.org
Our Heritage, Our Future is made possible with Historic Environment Scotland and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.
