© Crown copyright reproduced courtesy of Historic Scotland

From its prehistoric stone circles to its medieval abbey ruins, from its castles to its classical country houses and gardens, from its historic wrecks sites to its marvellous lighthouses, Scotland has an extraordinary and diverse heritage.

Its value though is not just for historians or for tourists. It gives communities identity and cohesion. It gives employment and can be a sound financial investment. It provides places to walk and things to talk about. It helps us to understand our past and it provides a springboard for our future. It is above all sustainability embodied.

The constant challenge for all of us is to decide how to balance the desire to preserve our past with the need to look to the future. This talk will explore why Scotland’s heritage matters and the opportunities and choices that lie ahead for us all.