Unlocking the Potential of Scotland’s Heritage: The economic value of Heritage

This event is co-produced by EDAS and Historic Environment Scotland 

Historic Environment Scotland is developing a long-term strategy for the historic Properties and Collections in their care, that they manage on behalf of the people of Scotland and Scottish Ministers. Following public consultation, the Strategy should be published in 2026 setting out how a sustainable future can be realised for over 360 historic properties and their associated collections across Scotland.

This represents a key moment to take stock - to think not only about conservation of these culturally significant assets but also to sustainably use the Estate as a driver for jobs, responsible tourism and local economies.

In partnership with EDAS and Historic Environment Scotland, this special event will explore the economic and place-based benefits that the Strategy could deliver, how it may intersect with local place plans, visitor levies, and evolving management of heritage sites.

Join sector leaders, policymakers, and economic development professionals for a dynamic discussion around how we can productively use these heritage assets, through sustainable management, across Scotland with communities and partners.

We’ll also provide opportunities for attendees to contribute ahead of the consultation phase of the strategy - ensuring economic development voices are part of the national conversation.

Event Objectives:

• Understand the ambitions and implications of a 10-year HES Properties and Collections Strategy
• Explore connections to local economic development, tourism, jobs, and place-making
• Understand how heritage-led regeneration impacts across EDAS’ core policy areas - People, Place, Planet, Prosperity
• Encourage cross-sector engagement with public consultation

Provisional Agenda:

10:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks
Neil McInroy, EDAS Chair 

10:05 Keynote: The Properties and Collections Strategy in Context
Dr David Mitchell, Director of Cultural Assets, Historic Environment Scotland 

10:15 Strategy Overview and Vision
Speaker: Pauline Megson, Estates Strategist, and Emily Tracey, Head of Policy, Strategy and Systems, Historic Environment Scotland

10:25 Balancing the Visitor Experience with Community Needs
Speaker: Katey Boal, Head of North Region Operations Directorate, Historic Environment Scotland

10:30 Economic Impacts and Opportunities
Speaker: Dr George Findlater, Head of Community and Economic Development, Historic Environment Scotland

10:35 Panel Discussion: The economic value of Heritage
Including:

• Visitor levy and local funding
• Local Place Plans and regional strategies
• What success looks like for communities
• Skills

Panellists: 

• Moderated by Neil McInroy, EDAS Chair
• Ken Massie, Head of Destination Development, Visit Scotland
• Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth, Argyll and Bute Council
• Leigh Sparks, Professor of Retail Studies, University of Stirling and Chair, Scotland's Towns Partnership
• Elin Williamson, Head of Business Growth and Inclusion, City of Edinburgh Council 
• Paul Zealey, Skills Planning Lead, Skills Development Scotland 

11:00 Shaping the Future Together – Discussion

11:25 Closing Reflections & Next Steps

11:30 Close

Privacy

To support networking and help you get the most out of our event, we will provide those coming with a list of the names and organisational affiliation of those attending.

Furthermore, we typically take photographs of proceedings in order to highlight or showcase EDAS’s activities.

Please let us know if you do not wish to provide consent for the use of your personal data in this way. To see how we use and take care of your information, please see our privacy notice.