World Heritage Sites

The Antonine Wall, marking the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire in Britain, showcases extraordinary military engineering and the reach of Roman civilisation. Its OUV is rooted in its testimony to military organisation and interaction between Rome and indigenous societies. Critically, the Wall symbolises both division and encounter: originally a tool of imperial control and separation, it now serves as a prompt for re-examining colonialism, migration, and identity. Contemporary engagement reframes the Wall not only as a relic of oppression but as a meeting place for shared stories—encouraging empathy, intercultural dialogue, and reconsideration of present-day “frontiers.”

Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns together exemplify outstanding urban planning and architectural harmony, balancing medieval lanes with Enlightenment rationality and expansion. The city’s OUV derives from its preserved historical layers and influence on European urban design. Viewed critically today, Edinburgh is not just a “museum city” but a living environment grappling with tensions between tourism, local needs, and social inclusion. While its history inspires civic pride, there are also challenges to ensuring that heritage narratives remain diverse and relevant—inviting debate about who has access to, and agency within, Scotland’s capital and its evolving cityscape.

New Lanark exemplifies a pioneering 18th–19th century industrial community, embodying Robert Owen’s vision for social reform, progressive education, and improved working conditions during the Industrial Revolution. Its OUV lies in demonstrating how industry and social innovation could coexist. Today, New Lanark’s heritage prompts reflection on labour rights, welfare, and communal responsibility—but also invites critique of romanticised industrial pasts, considering the realities of power imbalances and exploitation that coexisted with Owen’s reforms. As an active heritage site, it aims to empower diverse communities to shape more inclusive conversations about human rights, social justice, and the future of work.

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney includes a group of remarkable prehistoric monuments—Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Stones of Stenness, and the Ring of Brodgar. Its OUV lies in their outstanding preservation and insight into early human settlement, ritual, and social organisation, spanning over 5,000 years. Contemporary engagement with these sites challenges us to connect ancient communal practices with present questions about sustainability, landscape stewardship, and continuity of memory. Neolithic Orkney prompts a deeper reflection on what we inherit from the past, and how we can build respectful, enduring relationships with our shared heritage.