Paper short abstract:

This paper will highlight approaches taken to conserving natural and cultural heritage components using two examples from Scotland

Paper long abstract:

The National Trust for Scotland is a conservation charity that cares for a number of places in Scotland important for natural, built and cultural heritage.

This paper will discuss the approach to management of two properties within the Trust’s care:

St Kilda is a remote island archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. Inhabited for thousands of years by a community that lived from the dense colonies of seabirds and small scale farming until the early twentieth century when they abandoned their island home. It is now the UK’s only dual World Heritage Site, inscribed for both its natural and cultural heritage. This paper will discuss how the different needs of conservation are balanced and implemented.

Balmacara lies on the west coast of Scotland and is a fine example of a Highland crofting estate. Crofting is a small-scale and low intensity form of agriculture that has great environmental benefits as well as being the defining social system of Highland communities. This paper will explore the strong links between community, land and traditional farming practices that have created the current landscape and how they can continue into the future