Key messages

Here are some key messages on the national importance of the built environment. When engaging with local politicians, don’t forget to also develop messages relevant to local interests and on the impact of the built environment and your work in your local area.

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Vital to our Local Environment & Economy

  • The historic environment is Scotland’s greatest asset contributing £2.3bn to it’s economy
  • It contributes to growth, development and supports tens of thousands of jobs
  • Is a core driver of tourism to Scotland, attracting 14.6 million visitors per year
  • Visitor spending came to £780 million in 2015, directly supporting 23,100 jobs

Contributing to Health & Wellbeing

  • The built environment gives communities a local sense of history and helps develop a sense of community well-being
  • Those who visited a historic or archaeological place were over 50% more likely to report a high life satisfaction than those who did not visit
  • It provides traineeships, placements and volunteering opportunities, building skills, expertise, knowledge and confidence
  • Over 17100 volunteers are employed in the historic environment sector in Scotland
  • Learning programmes bridge inequalities in education and health through outreach work

Built Environment is for Everyone

  • People identify with heritage; whether it is museums, industrial heritage, castles, cathedrals, stately homes, the countryside, national parks, or historic towns and villages
  • Heritage is an important axis for the understanding of different cultures and minority groups, and can strengthen local citizenship
  • Built environment sites across the country connect people with their own histories, playing an important role in local and national place-making for communities and visitors alike

Research on the positive impact of heritage and the built environment:

ADVOCACY FACTS & FIGURES

The historic environment contributes to Scotland’s economic environmental social and cultural life

Facts & Figures