Historic Environment Bill passed

The Historic Environment Scotland Bill is about to become law after MSPs unanimously supported it in its final parliamentary stage.

Historic Environment Scotland is being set up to oversee the management and protection of Scotland’s heritage.

It will take over the functions of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), and be responsible for delivering Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, "Our Place in Time".

The process is well underway to appoint a board for the new non-departmental public body, which will be fully operational by October 2015.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said: “As well as being central to telling the story of our nation, the historic environment already supports more than 40,000 jobs, contributes well over £2bn a year to Scotland’s economy, and contributes to the wellbeing of our communities. There is no reason why it cannot offer more.

“Historic Environment Scotland will take forward the Government’s contribution to delivering Scotland’s first national strategy to ensure our diverse historic environment is understood, valued, cared for, protected, enjoyed and enhanced – now and for future generations.

“The complementary nature of Historic Scotland and RCAHMS has long been recognised. They both work well and that is clear in the praise I hear for the great work that both do. Bringing them together to create a strong and efficient single lead body is the next logical step to sustain and enhance this."