CAERLAVEROCK 24 (002)Horses, knights and lances are at the ready as Spectacular Jousting returns to Caerlaverock for the first time in ten years as the medieval stronghold plays host to noble knights on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July.

To help celebrate the year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, visitors can take part in a thrilling festival of horsemanship and pageantry as a horde of colourful, historic characters battle it out to be crowned the King’s Champion.

The jousting gives spectators the chance to see an impressive display of arms and armour at close range as knights take to their steeds for shield-splintering exhibitions of strength and horsemanship.

Visitors can meet the gallant knights and admire their loyal horses in their stables, try their hand at hobby horse jousting and wander through medieval camps to learn about life from the knights and their aides. There will also be opportunities to hear about medieval hunting, observe the court falconer and take part in archery.

Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager for Historic Environment Scotland, said,

“Spectacular Jousting is one of our most popular events, so it’s great to see its return to Caerlaverock Castle after a decade. With its moat, twin towered gatehouse and imposing battlements, Caerlaverock Castle provides a great medieval setting for a day of jousting and family fun. Visitors can cheer on their champion and get lost in a full medieval experience for a day!”

The HES Collections team will also be on site with objects spanning over 500 years of Scotland’s history. Visitors will have the opportunity to put on a pair of white gloves and handle real artefacts.

Spectacular Jousting at will take place on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July from 12.30-4.30pm. Tickets can be bought on the day as well as in advance and are priced at £13.00 for adults, £11 for concessions, £8.00 for children (aged 5-15 years old) with under-fives going free. Family tickets are also available. A 10% discount is available when tickets are purchased online in advance.

Parking is available in the field at the right of the castle and will be signposted on the day. For more information and to purchase tickets for Spectacular Jousting 2017, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/jousting

This popular event is free for Historic Scotland Members.

Due to three year funding of up to £200,000 from Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is able to expand its grant-giving programme and have launched a new Scottish Community Development Grant that enables historic building regeneration projects in communities across Scotland.

Eligible applicants could receive up to £50,000 for regeneration projects in their community, bringing benefits to local areas through the reuse of historic buildings. Approved projects will have the potential to make a significant positive social impact, offer long-term sustainable uses for historic buildings, and will be clearly and strongly community led.

Thomas Knowles, Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland said:

“The new Scottish Community Development Grant offers opportunities for communities to take the lead on restoring their historic buildings and find a sustainable reuse for them as a modern community-owned asset.

Projects supported by this new grant have the potential to make a really significant positive social impact, and we’re looking forward to hearing about successful applicants and seeing their projects take shape in the future.”

The Architectural Heritage Fund is a UK-wide registered charity that helps voluntary and community groups to repair and regenerate historic buildings.

David Hunter, an AHF Trustee for Scotland, said:

“We are looking for proposals that offer long-term sustainable uses for historic buildings and help build stronger and more cohesive communities. Delivering social enterprise, local business or community services from historic buildings can not only help unlock additional funding sources, but improve the sense of place and wellbeing for a local community.”

The first two grants under the new scheme, totalling £39,500, have just been awarded to Springburn Winter Gardens Trust, to help regenerate the historic glasshouses in North Glasgow, and to the Leith Theatre Trust to help bring the Leith Theatre back to life as a live performance venue in Edinburgh.

Jack Hunter, Chair of Leith Theatre Trust said:

“It is absolutely fantastic to be awarded this grant to further the work of Leith Theatre Trust. This will help give us the capacity to take the next steps in bringing the theatre back to life – bringing in a design team, helping to fundraise and making sure the local community have the opportunity to get the most out of this neglected public asset.”

Jamie Mallan, Chair of Springburn Winter Gardens Trust said:

“Early funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund enabled us to demonstrate the viability of restoring the Winter Gardens, which then helped us go on to win other financial support to make crucial repairs to prevent further deterioration of the building.

We’re delighted that this new grant offer will enable us to further develop our plans to restore the Winter Gardens. It will help us to deliver our vision of a restored and repurposed Winter Gardens as a community-owned site that delivers crucial services and meet the needs of the people of Springburn and north Glasgow.”

To find out more about the Scottish Community Development Grant and to see if your project might be eligible for our support, contact the AHF Support Officer for Scotland, Gordon Barr, on 0300 121 0341 or gordon.barr@ahfund.org.uk

More information can be found on the AHF website at www.ahfund.org.uk/grants

Julie Fowlis 2017 (c) Fowlis PhotographyHundreds of costumed performers are set to storm Fort George later this summer – and in their midst will be some famous faces from the Scottish traditional music scene.

On Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) are bringing a brand new event to the Highland fortress, in celebration of Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Amazing Ages! will uncover 2,000 years of Scottish history and culture with an exciting programme of live music.

While performers representing different periods in history tell Scotland’s story through living history camps and dramatic re-enactments, a stellar line-up of Scottish folk musicians will be taking to the stage to perform, with a different headline act for each day.

Saturday will star much-loved Edinburgh-based six piece Shooglenifty, renowned for fusing traditional melodies with a mixture of contemporary influences.

Multi-award winning Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis tops the bill on Sunday. Deeply influenced by her early upbringing on the Outer Hebridean island of North Uist, she is perhaps best known for singing the theme songs for Disney Pixar’s Oscar winning film Brave.

Speaking ahead of August’s event, Lorna Ewan, Head of Visitor Experience, Content and Learning at HES, said: “We’re thrilled to be marking the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology with this brand new event.

“We’re particularly excited to welcome such an array of Scottish musical talent to Fort George, with acts that are sure to create a festival atmosphere at this unique site against the beautiful backdrop of the Moray Firth.

“Amazing Ages! is set to bring the strands of Scotland’s history and culture together in a lively celebration that is not to be missed.”

The event will also offer a host of other hands-on historical activities, with the chance to have a go at traditional skills, meet archaeologists and find out about the fascinating finds that help piece together the puzzles of the past.

Amazing Ages! has been funded in part by EventScotland, a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. Stuart Turner, Head of EventScotland, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the inaugural Amazing Ages! through our National Events Programme.

“In Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, this fantastic event, held within the iconic fortress of Fort George, will undoubtedly play its part in showcasing Scotland’s rich historic past and cultural heritage with an exciting programme of traditional music acts, fascinating living history camps, reenactments and family activities to entertain visitors of all ages.”

The History Bug will be in full effect as Amazing Ages! takes place at Fort George, near Inverness, on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August from 11am-5pm. Tickets are priced £13 for adults, £11 for concessions and £8 for children. Family tickets are also available. Book in advance online and receive a 10% discount.

This event is free for Historic Scotland members.

The full musical programme will be announced on our website, www.historicenvironment.scot.

MANDATORY CREDIT: ROB MCDOUGALL Pic: Rob McDougall info@robmcdougall.com 07856 222 103 www.RobMcDougall.com Copyright 2016 Licensed for commissioning client only.The Engine Shed is inviting people to come and find out what the new national building conservation centre has to offer as it opens its doors to the public for the first time on Monday 3 July.

Based at Forthside Way, Stirling, the new learning and visitor resource will serve as the national conservation hub, using world-leading innovation to bring Scotland’s built heritage to life through technology and hands-on activities.

Open six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, the centrepiece of the free visitor experience is a large-scale map of Scotland compiled from hi-resolution satellite images, from which additional information can be accessed using an iPad as an augmented reality device, providing people with the opportunity to explore Scotland’s buildings, plus the chance to discover how the Engine Shed is digitally documenting Scotland’s heritage.

To celebrate the opening, from Monday 3 July, visitors can enjoy a suite of activities and workshops, including joining a tour of the building to find out more about its purpose and what it will offer the public, getting creative by carving a masterpiece from soap, or signing up to a talk from Historic Environment Scotland’s Head of Technical Education and Training to hear more about the building’s development from former MOD munitions shed to pioneering learning hub.

Dorothy Hoskins, Technical Outreach and Education Manager at the Engine Shed, said: “We are absolutely delighted to open the doors and welcome the public into the Engine Shed. We have so much planned for the opening with lots of activities and workshops on offer throughout the summer, we really want people to come down and experience the Engine Shed first-hand and get involved in the different activities that are on and find out more about what will be coming up later in the year too.”

People from across Scotland are invited to visit the Engine Shed to find out more about its summer programme of events designed to encourage a greater understanding of Scotland’s historic buildings and traditional craft skills, as part of Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

Every week during the summer, the Engine Shed will host different building-related themed activity sessions, talks and demonstrations.

Workshops will include creating pieces inspired by Mackintosh’s designs currently on temporary display at the Engine Shed, which were recovered from the fire that affected the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building in 2014.

Dorothy continues: “Our summer programme is designed to inspire people and demonstrate the range of skills, materials and technologies that are used in preserving our traditional buildings across Scotland. The Engine Shed is an inclusive space where everyone can come along and discover more about our historic environment through workshops, exhibitions, events, tutorials and training. We hope the public will be really impressed with what we have done with the space and what will be on offer.”

The Engine Shed has also launched eight internship opportunities centred around the new learning and visitor resource. Applicants are being encouraged to apply for the range of internships, covering subjects such as conservation science, climate change, collections management, traditional materials, digital visualisation and conservation architecture.

Each internship will last between 12 – 18 months and will provide students with the chance to learn within its specialist science, digital or climate change teams, studying the impact of climate change on Scotland’s historic environment and the adaptation of traditional buildings.

For more information on the Engine Shed and its summer programme or internship opportunities, please visit www.engineshed.org.

Picture courtesy of Rob McDougall, Copyright 2016

Scottish historic sites are feeling the ‘Outlander effect’ as they celebrate a significant surge in visitor numbers.

The start of the summer season 2017 has seen sites in the care of Historic Environment Scotland which have a starring role in the hit TV series record dramatic increases in footfall from the same period last year.

Blackness Castle – which features in the series as the stand in for Fort William – has seen the most significant rise in visitors, up 72% for the period 1st April to 25th June 2017.

Doune Castle, famed for its role as the fictional Castle Leoch, recorded an impressive 50% increase for the same period.

Other sites which recorded increased visitor numbers after making a cameo appearance in the series include:

• Aberdour Castle 58% increase
• Linlithgow Palace 43% increase
• Glasgow Cathedral 39% increase

The announcement comes as the historical time-travel drama series made its UK terrestrial television debut this week.

Stephen Duncan, Director of Commercial and Tourism at Historic Environment Scotland, who manage 300 Historic Scotland visitor attractions, said: “I’m delighted to welcome this boost in visitor numbers as we continue to celebrate the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

“This is an excellent return on the investment we have made across our estate. At Doune Castle, for example, after upgrading the visitor and retail offering, we have seen retail income increase 62% for the year to date.

“Featuring in Outlander has opened up our sites to a whole new audience, inspiring more and more visitors to come and discover the history behind these places, further demonstrating the enduring value and significance of heritage attractions in Scotland.”

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, said: “It’s fantastic to see that the international success of Outlander continues to draw visitors from around the world to visit treasured heritage sites like Doune Castle and Blackness Castle and find out more about Scotland’s rich history and fascinating heritage.

“The TV drama showcases Scotland to international audiences and has helped strengthen the growth we’re seeing in tourism from overseas. I’m delighted Scottish and UK audiences will now be able to watch Outlander on terrestrial TV, and look forward to seeing the impact on visitor numbers to the heritage sites that provide the stunning backdrop to the series.”

Maeshowe-2211A new mobile app, enabling people across the world to explore one of Europe’s finest chambered tombs, Maeshowe in Orkney, is now available.

This cutting edge technology, entitled Explore Maeshowe, allows audiences to virtually explore the historic site – a masterpiece of Neolithic design and construction and part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site – in high definition 3D.

Through the app – which is available on bot iOS and Android formats – users can discover Norse graffiti from the 1100s and see how the entrance passage to the Maeshowe Tomb is perfectly aligned with the setting of the midwinter sun.

Developed using highly accurate laser scan data captured as part of the Scottish Ten Project, via a partnership between Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and experts in 3D visualisation at The Glasgow School of Art’s School of Simulation and Visualisation (SimVis), the app also allows users to take part in an interactive 3D tour of the site, view an impressive photographic slideshow and learn more about Maeshowe’s rich legacy.

Dr Lyn Wilson, Digital Documentation Manager at HES said: “The app is a fantastic way to share our cutting edge laser scan data and 3D models to provide virtual access to this wonderful site, which is something we as an organisation are increasingly doing as a key way of enabling more and more people and new audiences to engage with us, our sites and our collections.

“The app is also a great example of bringing together heritage and cutting-edge technology to showcase such a unique site and give people a high quality, digital glimpse of the tomb from wherever they are in the world.”

Dr Paul Chapman, Director of SimVis added: “Explore Maeshowe has been a fantastic project to work on and the team here at GSA has really enjoyed collaborating with Historic Environment Scotland to deliver a piece of technology we’re all very proud of and one which people will equally enjoy and use to “visit” this incredible site.”

A monumental chambered tomb, Maeshowe is the finest Neolithic building to survive in north-west Europe. Built around 5,000 years ago, it is an impressive burial monument, where people lived, worshipped, and honoured their dead. One of its most alluring features for visitors is how the entrance to the tomb is aligned with the setting of the midwinter sun, so that the light illuminates the tomb’s interior.

The new app is available to download now:

Download Explore Maeshowe for Android

Download Explore Maeshowe for iOS

Fredheim listed hunting station in Svalbard Norway. Adapt Northern Heritage Case Study. Riksantikvaren-photographer Susan BarrHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) is leading an international initiative to support communities across Northern Europe in assessing the impact of climate change on historic buildings, archaeological sites and other heritage locations.

Adapt Northern Heritage brings together 15 partners from Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Russia, Scotland and Sweden. The three year project –which started this month– aims to help communities adapt their historic sites to climate change and increase their resilience to its impacts.

As part of the project, HES is working with three project partners: Minjastofnun Íslands (Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland), Riksantikvaren (Norway’s Directorate for Cultural Heritage) and Norsk institutt for kulturminneforskning (Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research). HES will also engage with eleven associated partners, including Argyll & Bute Council, the National Trust for Scotland and Timespan – Helmsdale Heritage & Arts Society.

To support communities in Europe’s remote northern regions, the project will develop an online tool to assess the climate related risks affecting historic places, and provide guidance for the planning of strategic adaptation measures to limit and manage these risks. The tool will be developed, tested and demonstrated in ten case studies across Northern Europe, two of which will be in Scotland: the historic town of Inverary in Argyll and Bute and Threave Castle and Estate in Dumfries and Galloway. The project will also create a community network with a discussion platform, round table workshops and training events.

Ewan Hyslop, Head of Science and Technical Research at HES, said: “There are a number of challenges faced by regions in Europe’s Arctic and Northern periphery, with its remote locations and geographically dispersed communities, which make it difficult to manage cultural heritage in ways which actively take climate change into account.

“Adapt Northern Heritage will support stakeholders by helping to build capacity and provide tools that will enable communities and authorities in northern European regions to cope better with the complexities of historic site management in times of a changing climate.”

Gudmundur Sigurdarson, project manager at Minjastofnun Íslands, added: “Experiences of conserving cultural heritage in Scotland might well become helpful in Iceland, considering how drastically our climate is likely to change over the coming decades.

“The project case studies will be informative and helpful for anyone trying to plan for the future of historic sites in the 21st century.”

Linlithgow Palace Spectacular Jousting Sunday 3rd July 2016  Neil Hanna Photography www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk 07702 246823Horses, knights and lances are at the ready as Spectacular Jousting returns to Linlithgow Palace on 1st and 2nd July.

To help celebrate the year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, visitors can take part in a thrilling festival of horsemanship, pageantry and music as a host of colourful, historic characters battle it out to be crowned the King’s Champion.

The jousting gives spectators the chance to see an impressive display of arms and armour at close range as knights take to their steeds for shield-splintering exhibitions of strength and horsemanship.

Visitors can also meet the knights, try their hand at hobby horse jousting and wander through their camps on Linlithgow’s Peel to learn about medieval life from the knights and their aides.

There will also be opportunities to learn about medieval hunting with the court falconer, witness impressive medieval archery and see what jovial tricks the Court Jester is getting up to.

Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager for Historic Environment Scotland, said,
“Spectacular Jousting is one of our most popular events, so it’s great to see its return to Linlithgow Palace. Visitors can cheer on their champion and get lost in the full experience of medieval life for a day. It’s entertainment for the whole family and one not to be missed!”

The HES Collections team will also be on site with objects spanning over 500 years of Scotland’s history. Visitors will have the opportunity to put on a pair of white gloves and handle real artefacts.

This year, during Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, Spectacular Jousting will also take centre stage at Caerlaverock Castle, Dumfries and Galloway, as it returns for the first time in a decade, on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July. With its moat, twin towered gatehouse and imposing battlements,

Caerlaverock Castle is a medieval stronghold and another great spot for a day of jousting and family fun.
Spectacular Jousting at Linlithgow Palace will take place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd July from 12.30-4.30pm. Tickets can be bought on the day as well as in advance and are priced at £13.00 for adults, £11 for concessions, £8.00 for children (aged 5-15 years old) with under-fives going free. Family tickets are also available. A 10% discount is available when tickets are purchased online in advance.

For more information and to purchase tickets for Spectacular Jousting 2017, please visit: www.historicenvironment.scot/jousting This popular event is free for Historic Scotland Members.

Limited parking is available at Oracle, Blackness Road, Springfield, Linlithgow EH49 7LR. This is allocated on first come first service basis.

Picture courtesy of Neil Hanna Photography

– Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs encourages the public to explore Scotland’s built heritage
– The Engine Shed opens to the public on 3 July

An exciting new chapter for Scotland’s heritage sector begins today as Historic Environment Scotland unveils The Engine Shed, its pioneering £11m national building conservation centre.

Based at Forthside Way in Stirling, The Engine Shed seeks to ensure the knowledge, skills and materials are available to look after the important cultural and economic asset that is Scotland’s 450,000 traditional buildings.

The new learning and visitor resource was officially opened by Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop and will serve as the national conservation hub, using world-leading innovation to bring Scotland’s built heritage to life through technology and hands-on activities.

With sustainability at the heart of the building’s conservation, the former MOD munitions store has been respectfully adapted, retaining much of the original fabric and character of the original building while demonstrating how traditional materials can be used in a modern context in two extensions, also incorporating modern technologies to enhance its energy efficiency.

The centrepiece of the main space is a large-scale map of Scotland compiled from hi-resolution satellite images, from which visitors can access additional information using an iPad as an augmented reality device.

With interactive exhibits, a 4K 3D auditorium and augmented reality experiences, The Engine Shed aims to spark the public’s passion and interest with Scotland’s historic environment and inspire a new generation to be interested in traditional buildings.

The Engine Shed will be home to Historic Environment Scotland’s building conservation research and education facility, which will share its world class expertise with national and international partners in building conservation.

People across Scotland are being invited to visit The Engine Shed as it unveils a summer programme of events designed to encourage a greater understanding of Scotland’s historic buildings and traditional craft skills, as part of Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Workshops will include creating pieces inspired by Mackintosh’s designs currently on temporary display at The Engine Shed, which were recovered from the fire that affected The Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Building in 2014.

Chair of Historic Environment Scotland Jane Ryder said: “Today’s opening marks a significant milestone in the journey of Historic Environment Scotland and The Engine Shed is a visible demonstration of our commitment to both leading and supporting the vital heritage economy.

“It is the result of great collaboration and partnership working, and thanks must go to the Scottish Government, Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund and the Historic Scotland Foundation, who have supported us in delivering this unique facility. In particular, thanks must go to our partners at Stirling Council for providing us with the building, which I hope will play a key role in continuing to maximise the potential of heritage-led regeneration through their broader city deal.

“This world-class facility is a wonderful living classroom with science and technology at its core, demonstrating that innovation can be inspired by the past. The Engine Shed is about thinking differently and challenging perceptions, which will act as a catalyst and a beacon for the historic environment.”

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said: “The new Engine Shed will couple state-of-the-art technology and world-leading innovation with our historic building traditions, inspiring a new generation to learn the traditional skills and use the authentic materials that will help to keep Scotland’s history alive.

“The Scottish Government has proudly supported this ambitious project since its very beginning, underlining the importance we place on protecting, preserving and promoting our rich history, heritage and built environment.

“I am particularly pleased to open The Engine Shed during Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. The centre will help to provide a lasting legacy for the year, increasing knowledge and understanding of the values of our precious historic environment.”

Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland Lucy Casot, said: “What is being done at The Engine Shed is leading the way, not just in Scotland but in the UK. We need people with traditional building skills to look after our heritage. Without them, historic buildings, whether it’s the local bank or a national monument, will crumble. Thanks to players of the National Lottery, we have been able to support this centre of excellence which will ensure that a new generation is equipped with the skills to care for the fabric of our nation.”

Stirling Council Leader Scott Farmer said: “Stirling Council has been delighted to support the development of The Engine Shed since the project’s inception and look forward to working closely on it with our partners Historic Environment Scotland. This adds another world class attraction to Stirling which will have a big impact economically, culturally and socially across the whole area.”

The Engine Shed will open its doors to the public on Monday 3 July and the building is open Monday to Saturday, between 10am-4pm. Entry is free. The building will be available to hire as a conference space, with room for up to 200 delegates.

For further information on the Engine Shed, please visit www.engineshed.org.