By Elizabeth Robson

Over the last three months, the Research Team have been focusing on three of the pilot assessments, namely those for Fyvie Castle, Gardens and Estate in Aberdeenshire, Ben Lomond in Stirlingshire, and Balmacara Estate in the Highlands. These three properties are very diverse in terms of location and type, but there are some common questions at the heart of all the pilot assessments. Put simply, these are: 1) who values this place, and 2) how do they value it?

Identifying the communities that might have a connection to a property is a key part of the assessment process. For example, at Balmacara Estate, there are people living and/or working within the area cared for by the Trust. The question of who is a ‘local resident’ might not always be as obvious as it first sounds, due to patterns of in and out migration and networks of community relationships. In all cases, we extend our scoping beyond those living in the immediate area, to consider who else might have an interest or attachment. This might include people who visit seasonally or pass through, those who maintain a connection from a distance, and even diaspora communities who may have rarely or never visited but are familiar with the place through stories, images, family history, or what it represents to them. For example, as a prominent landmark and popular hillwalking destination, it was anticipated that Ben Lomond would be of importance to multiple communities, in addition to those currently living in the vicinity. Further communities are often identified once an assessment is underway and we seek to involve as many groups as possible in the process, noting any known absences or gaps.

Houses and millpond in the village of Balmacara Square (left) and local students learning about the history and practices of crofting (right), Balmacara Estate. (Photo credits: Elizabeth Robson)

As part of the pilot assessments, the Research Team have spent time at all of the properties, observing who is present and the behaviours or activities that are taking place. Each assessment involves a range of research methods, from interviews and surveys, to focus groups and participation in public events. For example, a research visit to Fyvie was timed to coincide with a major public event, the Trust’s 1644 Heritage Weekend in August, and a visit by a group of ancestral tourists, alongside which walking interviews and surveys were conducted. Employing multiple methods in each pilot helps to identify different kinds of values, activities, and connections to place, as well as ensuring people can participate in a way that suits them – whether that is a short online survey (on the meanings of Balmacara Estate), a walking interview (at Fyvie), or a group mapping (for Ben Lomond). We also review existing material related to the properties, such as place plans, community consultation reports, visitor guides, and social media posts. These methods generate different types of data that are analysed to identify themes or trends in which values are being expressed, by whom, and how they are articulated or enacted.

Footpath maintenance with the Trust team on Ben Lomond (left) and a participatory discussion with members of a community of interest (right), focused on Ben Lomond but hosted in Glasgow. (Photo credits: Elizabeth Robson)

Social values can differ significantly from formal assessments of historic, aesthetic, natural, or archaeological heritage value. The purpose of a social values assessment is to identify the range of values associated with the historic environment and how these shape people’s experiences and engagement. It is important to remember that communities are not homogenous groups and may express a diversity of values and relationships to the properties. In addition, the connections and values associated with a place are not necessarily benign or positive. The historic environment embodies complex histories and contemporary challenges including, for example, the Highland clearances, legacies of gendered violence, colonialism and slavery, and issues of socio-economic inequality and exclusion. These can feature prominently in the memories and stories that are transmitted between generations, resulting in difficult and at times contested values. The history of a place, how it has been used, who it is associated with, and its relationship to other community priorities and issues can all influence how it is valued.

Visitors and reenactors at the 1644 Heritage Weekend, Fyvie Castle, Gardens and Estate. (Photo credits: Elizabeth Robson)

All three of these pilot assessments are still on-going, with a final research visit to Fyvie Castle, Gardens and Estate scheduled for early December, and a return trip to Balmacara Estate planned for the new year. We will also be focusing on the Bannockburn pilot assessment over the coming months.

We really appreciate the time and knowledge that people have generously shared with us to date. If you are interested to get involved in any of the pilots, then please contact us. Further information for participants is available here.

We look forward to continuing to work with all the pilot properties in 2025 and will be posting more about each of the assessments – the process and the findings – in future blogs.