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THE STATE OF SCOTLAND'S FARMED ENVIRONMENT 2005

7. CULTURAL HERITAGE

PROTECTIVE MEASURES

The need for prevention of damage by farming practices, particularly from cultivation of archaeological sites on arable land, is well recognized but the mechanisms for doing this are poorly implemented. Maps of archaeological sites are not currently supplied in Scotland except as part of the basic Conservation Audit for the Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS). Furthermore, sites being selected for management (under RSS) are often not the most significant or most in need of management (Wordsworth, 2005). The option for maintenance of vernacular buildings was dropped from the Countryside Premium Scheme in 1998, though it is under consideration as an option under the new Land Management Contracts (LMCs).

Table 7.2: Archaeological sites managed under agri-environment schemes in Scotland . Data supplied by SEERAD.

CPS			RSS			ESA
Year	Number	Area	Year	Number	Area	Year	Number	Area
1997	57	126.57	2001	154	236.57	1994		100.03
1998	82	144.96	2002	162	272.32	1995		374.17
1999	102	86.99	2003	486	357.39	1996	17	71.67
2000	173	148.18	2004	478	576.51	1997	47	317.93
						1998	29	43.64
	414	506.70		1280	1442.79	1999	42	177.91
						2000	0	0.00
						2001	0	0.00
						2002	12	41.13
							147	1126.48

Please note: The areas supplied for 1994 and 1995 are based on expenditure for archaeological options within ESA’s.

Source: Data supplied by SEERAD.

The management of scheduled sites can be subject to restriction through management agreements which are normally agreed between the landowner and Historic Scotland and commonly include limitations on farming practices. As well as the use of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) to protect sites through primary legislation, there are restrictions on development of archaeological sites through the national planning policy guidelines (Adderley et al., 2001). Advice and information on all aspects of archaeology in Scotland , particularly public participation, is provided by the Council for Scottish Archaeology (CSA), a voluntary membership organisation.

More recently, protection is offered through Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) that form part of the Single Farm Payment. It is primarily limited to sites already legally protected as monuments and buildings of national importance, namely SAMs and Listed Buildings . Protection is also offered to Designed Landscapes listed in the national inventories produced by HS and SNH. Protection for other archaeological and historic sites on farmland offered under GAEC is also applicable to many of the additional agricultural payments, such as Set-Aside and LFA. These cover potentially 90% of Scottish farmland.

The introduction of Land Management Contracts (LMCs) from 2007 offers the opportunity to provide protection to all archaeological sites and historical landscapes on farmland across Scotland . Information can be accessed through the online database Pastmap (currently still lacking data held in local Sites and Monuments Records) (RCAHMS, 2005).

The Forestry Commission is responsible for ensuring that forest expansion does not impinge on the archaeological heritage. Since 1988, all proposals for new tree planting have involved consultation with archaeological authorities. The Forestry Commission encourages private woodland owners to protect important archaeological sites through the Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme, which only funds new planting in appropriate locations which meet the criteria of the UK Forestry Standards. These include the conservation of heritage features and take account of the cultural and historic landscapes (Yarnell, 2002).

Management and protection of cultural heritage sites is under supervision from HS, SNH, SEERAD and the Forestry Commission with support from the CSA. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) protects sites through primary legislation, and there are restrictions on development through the national planning policy guidelines. Funding to support this work is available for example through agri-environment and woodland schemes.

SOURCES

• Adderley, W.P .; Davidson, D.A.; Grieve, I.C.; Hopkins , D.W.; Salt , C.A. (2001): Issues associated with the development of a Soil Protection Strategy for Scotland . A report to Scottish Executive Environment & Rural Affairs Department; External Website
• Historic Scotland : website; External Website
• Historic Scotland - Sustainability Policy (External Website)
• Historic Scotland (undated): Scheduled Ancient Monuments. A guide for owners, occupiers and land managers; External Website
• Historic Scotland (1998): Guidance Note - Monuments, ancient monuments and scheduled monuments; External Website
• Local Authority Archaeology Services External Website
• RCAHMS (2004): Databases External Website
• RCAHMS (2005): Pastmap, http://www.pastmap.org.uk
• RCAHMS (2005): Draft Corporate Plan External Website
• cottish Executive (1994): PAN 42 – Archaeology - the Planning Process and Scheduled Monument Procedures; External Website
• Scottish Executive (1998): NPPG 5 Archaeology and Planning: External Website
• The Council for Scottish Archaeology (CSA): website; External Website
• The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS): website; External Website,
• Wordsworth, J. (2005): Land Management Contracts 2007; Archaeological and Historical Landscape Requirements (draft); Council for Scottish Archaeology
• Yarnell, T. (2002): Cultural heritage and historic environment. Forestry Commission, Sustainable forestry in brief; External Website

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Updated: 23 January 2024

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