Latest news with #HistoricEnvironmentScotland
Glasgow Times
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
S1 students dance at Bothwell Castle for heritage project
The performance, by Holy Cross High School's S1 pupils, was a part of the launch of Sounds of Scotland—Historic Environment Scotland's (HES) 2025 theme for the Making Sense of Scotland programme. The innovative project was delivered in partnership with YDance, Scotland's national youth dance organisation, and involved multiple creative workshops throughout May. (Image: Supplied) All S1 pupils were offered a chance to participate, and those eager to delve deeper signed up for the project. Twenty S1 pupils took part in a week-long creative exploration. They learned about the impact of climate change on Scotland's historic environment, worked with experts in the field, and co-created their response. Read more: Glasgow students have 'best day ever' at state-of-the-art Scottish Ambulance base Glasgow businesses named and shamed for 'deliberate' unpaid tax 'Fabulous' Glasgow flat that is unexpectedly back on the market selling for £95k The project culminated in a dance film, showcasing movement, behind-the-scenes moments, and the students' reflections on their experiences. It will now be screened at Holy Cross High School and used as a digital resource to inspire creative projects. (Image: Supplied) Stephen Duncan, director of marketing and engagement at HES, said: "We believe heritage is a living, breathing resource—not just to be observed, but experienced. "Making Sense of Scotland is about unlocking the power of our historic places to inspire creativity, participation and connection. "This project with Holy Cross High School pupils and YDance brings together climate education, local history, and the expressive power of dance to help young people make sense of their world—past, present and future. "It was incredible to see how the students interpreted their learning and showcased the Sounds of Scotland theme with their creative performance under the backdrop of the historic Bothwell Castle." Anna Kenrick, artistic director and chief executive officer of YDance, said: "This was a truly inspiring project that gave young people the chance to engage creatively with their heritage. "Through dance, they explored and communicated complex ideas around climate change in a way that was personal, bold and authentic."
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Historic Environment Scotland campaign to boost wellbeing
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) launched 'Historic Places, Breathing Spaces' after a survey suggested that 60 per cent of people reported improved wellbeing from visiting a HES site. The survey also found that 74% of people felt a sense of connection to the sites after visiting. (Image: Supplied) Now, HES is collaborating with wellbeing organisations, influencers, and communities to motivate people to visit heritage sites and experience the mental, physical, and emotional benefits. As part of the campaign, people are invited to submit photos and videos expressing how heritage makes them feel to Read more: Thousands expected for march and rally to support refugees in Glasgow Update provided on busy route closure after lorry crash 'No evidence of third-party involvement' in death of teen, say police HES will use these submissions to create an online exhibition to further inform and develop the role of heritage sites in supporting wellbeing. HES staff have also suggested their favourite walks around lesser-known areas at local landmarks. Stephen Duncan, director of marketing and engagement at HES, said: "We are proud to launch Historic Places, Breathing Spaces to encourage people to boost their wellbeing by visiting heritage sites across Scotland. (Image: Supplied) "We want people across the country to share their stories about what heritage means to them, and how their wellbeing is boosted by connecting with it. "This summer, we want to encourage everyone to engage with heritage and discover for themselves the wellbeing boost it can bring, and to be part of a national exhibition that celebrates Scotland's historic environment in a new way." HES plans to use the information gathered through this initiative to explore the social value of heritage sites and their potential role in supporting the country's wider wellbeing agenda.
The Herald Scotland
13-06-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Ancient Pictish stone goes on display at North Coast Visitor Centre
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) awarded grant funding to Yarrows Heritage to enable the cleaning and conservation of the stone. The restored stone was unveiled at North Coast Visitor Centre museum by Lord Thurso on Friday. HES said the stone is an important example of Pictish art and helps strengthen the connection of the local community to the area's ancient past. As a 'Class 1 stone', the ancient monument no clear Christian iconography, and dates between the 6th-8th century. The meaning and significance of the carvings on Pictish Class 1 stones are still being unlocked by modern historians and archaeologists. This discovery is expected to help local experts develop further understanding of this heritage and enhance a sense of place and local pride for the residents of Caithness, HES said. The stone is to be named 'Ulbster 2 Stone' and will sit in the museum beside the first Ulbster Stone, which was discovered in 1770 in the same burial ground. READ MORE: Picts and pork netting combine in 'unique' student dress design Summer solstice sees searches spike for Scottish standing stones Both stones form part of the North Coast Visitor Centre's Stone Room collection, where they will remain on permanent display. Roland Spencer-Jones, Chair of Yarrows Heritage, said: 'This is an important day for Caithness archaeology, when another newly discovered Pictish stone gets added to the stunning collection of Pictish art already in the North Coast Visitor Centre. 'We are grateful to all our funders in providing the funds to rescue this stone and allow it to be displayed in the museum.' Dr Susan O'Connor, Head of Grants at HES, said: 'Strengthening communities' connection to their local heritage is at the heart of our grant programmes, and we are pleased to support the conservation of the Ulbster 2 Stone, and ensure its future in a local museum.
The National
12-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Glasgow music venue redevelopment approved despite objections
The site of the O2 ABC, partially demolished last year after receiving a Dangerous Building Notice, could be replaced by new student accommodation according to reports from the BBC. The Sauchiehall Street venue was damaged by a fire from the Glasgow School of Art's (GSA) Charles Rennie Mackintosh building in 2018 and, alongside nightclubs Jumpin' Jaks and Campus, has been vacant since. READ MORE: Housing developer accused of 'vandalism' after 137 trees 'massacred' The city's planning committee is expected to rule on the plans on Tuesday and officials are recommending it goes ahead, despite around 130 objectors voicing concerns over the project. Among the objectors are Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, Deputy Lord Provost Christy Mearns, the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Historic Environment Scotland and GSA . Historic Environment Scotland said the new nine-storey building will affect the setting of the A-listed art school, obscuring important views to and from it, as well as the nearby Alexander 'Greek' Thomson-designed Centre for Community Arts building. READ MORE: Line-up announced for popular Scottish island music festival City council planners agreed the development would have a "negative impact on the historic environment" but believe the current "derelict" site is having a "negative impact… on the viability and vitality of the city centre as a whole". Vita Group wants to deliver its 'House of Social' project on the site, which includes over 350 student beds, a courtyard and a public food hall that transforms into an events space in the evenings. It has been backed by Glasgow's chamber of commerce, which said the proposal would "transform this blighted space into a dynamic and attractive environment", with a further 17 letters of support sent to the council. Vita said the plan will provide "unique views" of the Mackintosh building while "maintaining appropriate distance and set back on the upper levels". The firm's planning director James Rooke said the proposal would help revitalise Sauchiehall Street.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
O2 ABC redevelopment given thumbs-up by planners
A controversial redevelopment of a popular former Glasgow music venue has been approved by council planners, despite concern over the impact on the nearby art school's Mackintosh building. A public food hall and over 350 student beds could replace the O2 ABC, which was partly demolished last Environment Scotland and Glasgow School of Art are among 130 objectors to student accommodation developer Vita Group's Sauchiehall Street venue was damaged by the fire at the Mackintosh building in 2018 and, along with the former Jumpin' Jaks nightclub, has been vacant since. The city's planning committee is expected to rule on the plans on Tuesday and officials are recommending it goes argued the new building would have a "significant adverse impact" on views from the fire-damaged Charles Rennie Mackintosh council planners agreed the development would have a "negative impact on the historic environment" but believe the current "derelict" site is having a "negative impact… on the viability and vitality of the city centre as a whole".A dangerous buildings notice was issued by the council in July last year due to "immediate threat" and parts of the ABC, including its facade, were then knocked Group wants to deliver its 'House of Social' project on the site, which includes 356 student beds as well as a publicly-accessible food hall, which would become an events space at night, and has been backed by Glasgow's chamber of commerce which said the proposal would "transform this blighted space into a dynamic and attractive environment". Another 17 letters of support were sent to the council. 'Revitalising' Sauchiehall Street Among the objectors are Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, local councillors Christy Mearns and Philip Braat, the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and Glasgow City Heritage Environment Scotland said the new nine-storey building will affect the setting of the A-listed art school, obscuring important views to and from it, as well as the nearby Alexander 'Greek' Thomson-designed CCA said the plan will provide "unique views" of the Mackintosh building while "maintaining appropriate distance and set back on the upper levels".The firm's planning director James Rooke said the proposal would help revitalise Sauchiehall Street.
