A UNIQUE line-up of events have been unveiled to celebrate Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 with a Great Roman Bake-Off, large-scale projections of Viking imagery, a live archaeological dig of St Kilda in Minecraft and a colourful international weaving festival being some of the highlights.
With more than one third of visitors drawn to Scotland for its history and culture, VisitScotland has hailed next year as an exciting opportunity to relive Scotland’s fascinating past through a range of events and activities.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop, who launched the programme at Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh yesterday, said the year will inspire visitors to #facethepast, in new and innovative ways.
A total of nine events, paid for through a £300,000 Signature Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology Events Fund, have just been announced with more to be revealed in the coming weeks.
The year also provides the opportunity to promote and celebrate a much wider programme of events celebrating Scotland’s history, heritage and archaeology with partner events within the year include Scot:Lands, which kicks off the celebrations on January 1 with an adventurous journey across Edinburgh’s Old Town, closely followed by Celtic Connections, the UK’s premier celebration of Celtic music, from January 19-February 5, and at the end of January, the national bard will come into focus with Robert Burns events celebrating the poet’s rich history.
From April 1-16 Edinburgh International Science Festival will celebrate Scotland’s themed Year with Moments in Time – a family friendly outdoor installation, situated on the Mound featuring a series of iconic Scottish police boxes that will transport visitors back in time to pivotal moments in Scotland’s scientific history.
Over the summer season, visitors and residents can soak up Scottish historical culture with the Festival of Museums in May, a major Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland runs from June until November, and in August, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will unite with the Scottish Diaspora to create a “Splash of Tartan”.
Hyslop said: “We are so fortunate in Scotland to have the most fascinating and inspiring history and heritage on our doorsteps, bringing the spirit of Scotland alive. The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology will highlight and showcase our history and heritage to the world.”
Scotland will be celebrating a number of significant anniversaries through the historical year including the 70th anniversary of Edinburgh as a world leading festival city with early celebrations beginning at Edinburgh Hogmanay’s Midnight Moment, the 20th anniversary of Scottish Crannog Centre, 250th anniversary of Edinburgh New Town Plan, 30th anniversary of Beltane Fire Society and the 400th anniversary of the General Register of Sasines — the oldest public land register in the world.
As a main partner, the Heritage Lottery Fund is supporting the year with a dedicated programme called Stories, Stones and Bones. The £500,000million fund will encourage people in communities across the country to uncover and celebrate their local history, customs and traditions.
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