With Historic Environment Scotland launching their Historic Places, Breathing Spaces campaign, Lisa Snedden, Our Heritage, Our Future Coordinator, has written about what her local historic place means to her and her cocker spaniel Bonza.
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.
For me, it's Bonza who reminds me to slow down after work. With big puppy dog eyes staring at her leash, she leads me away from screens and schedules and towards something much older and quieter: Croy Hill.
Set high above the central belt, Croy Hill is one of the 16 known forts built along the Antonine Wall. The wall was built from AD140 and was the north-western frontier of the entire Roman Empire. It stretches 37 miles across Scotland, from Bo’ness to Old Kilpatrick. It was built using a stone base and a turf rampart, fronted by a deep ditch. At Croy Hill you can actually see where the Romans cut this ditch through solid rock.
As Bonza bounds up the hill, I take a much more leisurely approach, thinking about the Roman footsteps that I am following in - about the soldiers that would have stood here on the frontier of the Roman Empire, looking over the same valley that I am now. What must they have thought? Once a bustling fort, Croy Hill is now peaceful; it’s history that you can walk through. It’s time with my dog where the weight of the world just slips away.
For Bonza, it’s a playground. For me, it’s a reminder that the past isn’t all locked behind glass. Sometimes - often - it’s right under our feet and part of our daily lives. These ancient landscapes offer more than just stories. And so, we return, week after week. Not just for exercise, but something deeper. A connection. A walk through time. Breathing space.
Heritage is important for a number of reasons, both for individuals and communities. It's for these reasons that the places we treasure, that store so much cultural significance and personal wellbeing, are protected, celebrated and cared for.
If you have a place that you care for, your own Croy Hill, and would like to learn more about its heritage, then why not get in touch with us. We offer a range of activities, that suit all ages, for you and your community to understand the threats to natural and cultural heritage and what you can do and the positive actions you can take to look after it.
Learn more about Our Heritage, Our Future and how we can help you explore and protect your favourite place's heritage or you can contract 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.
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