NTS Report 4 Aug 2010 - National Trust for Scotland
NTS Report 4 Aug 2010 - National Trust for Scotland
NTS Report 4 Aug 2010 - National Trust for Scotland
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37<br />
Carrying our Past into our Future<br />
It is understandable that MSPs and Ministers will look first to<br />
the economic benefits of the Heritage industry and, as the<br />
adjacent column shows, these are considerable.<br />
But there has to be more open discussion on how Heritage itself<br />
‘fits’ into contemporary Scottish life. Of how the nation can<br />
carry its past with it into the future.<br />
The “great fraternity” of the <strong>Trust</strong>, as its previous President, the<br />
Earl of Wemyss and March, once described it – “dedicated,<br />
outward-looking, in<strong>for</strong>med and opinionated” – has a major role<br />
to play in this process.<br />
It has 80 years of solid achievement behind it. It has the clout of<br />
being the largest membership organisation in <strong>Scotland</strong>.<br />
It is the only body with a holistic mandate, charged with<br />
conserving our natural, built and cultural inheritance as a whole.<br />
And, unlike Government funded bodies, it has independence of<br />
voice.<br />
The Review trusts that <strong>NTS</strong> will make that voice heard at<br />
Holyrood and in Council chambers up and down the land. It<br />
trusts that elected representatives will listen and respond.<br />
The Summit <strong>for</strong> the Built and Historic Environment held in the<br />
Bute Hall of Glasgow University on 3 November 2009, bringing<br />
together the entire sector, set a useful precedent <strong>for</strong> the future.<br />
In its discussions with Ministers, the Review has expressed its<br />
hope that they will now take steps to go further and organise an<br />
annual Heritage Forum in the Chamber of the Scottish<br />
Parliament along the lines of the current Business Forum and<br />
similar events organised <strong>for</strong> young people and the third sector.<br />
That in turn will in<strong>for</strong>m the preparation of a new Bill in a few<br />
years time which will codify the re<strong>for</strong>ms set out in this report in<br />
contemporary language and incorporate decisions yet to be taken<br />
on the <strong>Trust</strong>’s mission and property portfolio review.<br />
What is clear, with the Scottish Parliament now responsible <strong>for</strong><br />
policy in the Heritage area, is that the <strong>National</strong> <strong>Trust</strong> <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> cannot remain rooted in legislation passed by<br />
Westminster in the 1930s.<br />
It is <strong>Scotland</strong>’s Heritage. For the benefit of the nation. For all<br />
time.<br />
It is <strong>Scotland</strong> <strong>for</strong>ever.<br />
Tourism Minister Jim Mather MSP welcomes visitors to <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
A series of official surveys in recent years indicate that over<br />
70% of people who holiday in <strong>Scotland</strong> give ‘the landscape’ as<br />
the principal reason <strong>for</strong> their visit, closely followed by ‘the<br />
country’s heritage’. The economic benefits are substantial.<br />
Historic Environment<br />
• The historic environment sector contributes more than £2.3<br />
billion to the economy, mainly through tourism, construction<br />
and transport<br />
• The sector directly supports over 40,000 jobs, rising to 60,000<br />
jobs when spin-off benefits in other sectors are included<br />
• The sector is estimated to contribute some £1.4 billion in<br />
employees’ income<br />
• It is estimated that the sector’s contribution to the national<br />
economy is equivalent to 2.6% of Scottish GVA (Gross Value<br />
Added). It accounts <strong>for</strong> an estimated 2.5% of <strong>Scotland</strong>’s total<br />
employment<br />
The above figures are extracted from the 2009 report of the<br />
Historic Environment Advisory Council <strong>for</strong> <strong>Scotland</strong>, Economic<br />
Impact of the Historic Environment in <strong>Scotland</strong><br />
Natural Environment<br />
• Over 330 million individual visits were made to <strong>Scotland</strong>’s<br />
outdoors <strong>for</strong> recreation purposes in 2007, according to a study<br />
commissioned by the Heritage Lottery Fund<br />
• Wildlife tourism alone is worth £65 million to the Scottish<br />
economy and accounts <strong>for</strong> more than 2700 jobs, says a <strong>2010</strong><br />
study commissioned from Bournemouth University by the<br />
Scottish Government<br />
• One-fifth of <strong>Scotland</strong>’s industries depend significantly upon<br />
the natural environment, according to 2008 report <strong>for</strong> Scottish<br />
Natural Heritage<br />
• <strong>Scotland</strong>’s population, according to the Cabinet Secretary <strong>for</strong><br />
Rural Affairs and Environment, Richard Lochhead MSP, is<br />
‘blessed’ in its ease of access to the sea, mountains and unspoilt<br />
places. He notes the benefits <strong>for</strong> national wellbeing and the<br />
attraction <strong>for</strong> <strong>for</strong>eigners who wish to work and live here<br />
• Tourism Minister Jim Mather MSP comments: “Our stunning<br />
landscapes and fascinating historical sites are an incredible asset<br />
and have enduring popularity. We have to maximise that benefit<br />
in the years ahead.”