Historic Environment and Cultural Heritage

Historic ships, maritime museums, festivals of the sea, world heritage sites, scheduled monuments, designated wrecks and historic marine protected areas are tangible aspects of Scotland's historic environment and cultural heritage. Also included are the remains of settlements from prehistory to the modern day such as harbours, lighthouses and ship-building yards; ecclesiastical buildings and defensive features from castles to war-time defences. They help to create a sense of place, wellbeing and identity, enhancing the distinctiveness of the coast and attracting visitors to Scotland. Scuba divers visit underwater wrecks of ships and aircraft, while in some areas archaeological sites once on land may now be submerged because of changes in the coastline and sea level since the last ice age, offering the potential of fresh insights into the settlement of Scotland.