Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 10 September 2013
10 Sep 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Historic Environment Strategy
I absolutely agree with that.
In passing, I recognise the tremendous work that Historic Scotland is doing to retain and safeguard the traditional skills that are vital to the preservation of our buildings, especially through the modern apprenticeship programme.
I also acknowledge the fine work that was done at Historic Scotland by Ruth Parsons during her tenure as chief executive. I look forward to further progress being made by the new body. Indeed, I hope in the next few years to see it finally recognise that Angus—specifically Dunnichen—was the location of the battle of Nechtansmere, a hugely significant Pictish battle, the outcome of which ensured that there was a Scotland to fight for at Bannockburn. As the cabinet secretary knows, Historic Scotland, probably correctly, given the lack of available evidence, has sat on the fence regarding the site of that conflict and has refused to include it in its inventory of important battle sites. I can tell her that we now have evidence—at least I am claiming it as evidence. The great tapestry of Scotland, which was unveiled last week—it is still there to be viewed in the Parliament’s entrance area—has an entire panel given over to that event, which it refers to as the battle of Dunnichen. It even features a depiction of Dunnichen Hill and Rescobie Loch. If the great tapestry of Scotland says that the battle took place near Forfar, it must be so. At least, that is what we in Angus will claim.
I welcome the strategy and the debate, both of which I feel will make an important contribution to moving Scotland forward in appreciating and safeguarding this aspect of heritage and better spreading its message both among Scots and to a wider audience.
In passing, I recognise the tremendous work that Historic Scotland is doing to retain and safeguard the traditional skills that are vital to the preservation of our buildings, especially through the modern apprenticeship programme.
I also acknowledge the fine work that was done at Historic Scotland by Ruth Parsons during her tenure as chief executive. I look forward to further progress being made by the new body. Indeed, I hope in the next few years to see it finally recognise that Angus—specifically Dunnichen—was the location of the battle of Nechtansmere, a hugely significant Pictish battle, the outcome of which ensured that there was a Scotland to fight for at Bannockburn. As the cabinet secretary knows, Historic Scotland, probably correctly, given the lack of available evidence, has sat on the fence regarding the site of that conflict and has refused to include it in its inventory of important battle sites. I can tell her that we now have evidence—at least I am claiming it as evidence. The great tapestry of Scotland, which was unveiled last week—it is still there to be viewed in the Parliament’s entrance area—has an entire panel given over to that event, which it refers to as the battle of Dunnichen. It even features a depiction of Dunnichen Hill and Rescobie Loch. If the great tapestry of Scotland says that the battle took place near Forfar, it must be so. At least, that is what we in Angus will claim.
I welcome the strategy and the debate, both of which I feel will make an important contribution to moving Scotland forward in appreciating and safeguarding this aspect of heritage and better spreading its message both among Scots and to a wider audience.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-07622, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on Scotland’s historic environment—the way forward.14:24
The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop)
SNP
I would like to start with a quote from “A Herbal” by the late Seamus Heaney:As between clear blue and cloud,Between haystack and sunset sky,Between oak tree...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Given the impact of climate change and the increasing cost of repairing and maintaining the historic tenements in our cities, will the minister review the op...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I hear what the member says—I think that she makes an extremely important point. A great deal of investment has to take place in the pre-1919 buildings. That...
Hanzala Malik (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
I was just wondering whether the minister was going to make a statement in terms of an increase in the budget, particularly since the Commonwealth games are ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I remind members to speak through the chair.
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I am sure that Sandra White welcomed the investment in the statues on the Kelvin walkway. As the member well knows, a substantial investment was announced in...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I remind members that, if they are participating in the debate, they should be in the chamber for the start of the speeches.14:41
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
In opening the debate for Labour, I endorse the cabinet secretary’s sentiments concerning John Bellany. He will be sadly missed, but he has left a significan...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I am sure that, as the bill passes through Parliament, we will have plenty of opportunities in committee and in the chamber to debate some of these issues, b...
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
I am sure that that is true. Having read some of the commentary, I have understood what the organisations have said, but there is still a kernel of doubt lin...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I cannot talk about the budget tomorrow, but I can reassure the member that over the last period, between 2011-12 and 2013-14, expenditure on properties and ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
You are approaching your last minute, Ms Ferguson.
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
Thank you, Presiding Officer.I appreciate that point and I accept that the historic environment is a very expensive sector in which to work and operate. Howe...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I thank the cabinet secretary for her good wishes—and Patricia Ferguson for hers, just prior to the debate. Culture is very close to my heart—not least becau...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
Only last night in Linlithgow, I heard a fantastic presentation by one of our local historians, Bruce Jamieson, about Linlithgow’s connection to James IV. In...
Liz Smith
Con
I thank the cabinet secretary for that intervention. Clearly, we could go on listing the other sites for which fantastic numbers have been announced recently...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
On the merger, there is some way to travel in terms of parliamentary scrutiny, but it is important that we put the staff first. Over a long period, the staff...
Liz Smith
Con
The cabinet secretary makes a fair point. There has been some support for the merger in various quarters, but Patricia Ferguson made some good points about t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We turn to the open debate, with speeches of a maximum of seven minutes, which should include any interventions.15:02
Graeme Dey (Angus South) (SNP)
SNP
There is no denying just how blessed visually we are here in Scotland. We are blessed with breathtaking scenery and with the historic environment. We owe so ...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
The member makes an important point. We have supported long-distance travel for visits from places that are an hour and a half’s travel from some of our key ...
Graeme Dey
SNP
I absolutely agree with that.In passing, I recognise the tremendous work that Historic Scotland is doing to retain and safeguard the traditional skills that ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I must keep members strictly to their seven minutes. I call Claire Baker, to be followed by Joan McAlpine.15:09
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased to speak in today’s debate on Scotland’s historic environment. I will spend some time highlighting Fife’s assets as an illustration of Scotland’...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I am delighted to have accepted an invitation from David Torrance MSP to visit Wemyss caves. That visit will happen in the next couple of weeks.The issue has...
Claire Baker
Lab
I was aware of the cabinet secretary’s upcoming visit and was about to give it a positive mention.Earlier, the cabinet secretary talked a bit about active ci...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I remind members that they must keep to their seven minutes, or other speakers later in the debate will lose time. 15:16
Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I welcome the Government’s ambitious strategy for Scotland’s historic environment over the next 10 to 15 years. I am delighted that we have the opportunity t...
James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)
SNP
Voltaire famously said,“We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation”,and we can see why when we look at the extraordinary historic environment from...