Historic Scotland carries out public consultation exercise as part of wider review on the cultural significance of the Tinkers’ Heart monument in Argyll

EDINBURGH, 2015-3-10 — /Travel PR News/ — A public consultation exercise is being carried out by Historic Scotland as part of a wider review on the cultural significance of the Tinkers’ Heart monument in Argyll, which will ultimately be used to inform whether the site is designated as a monument of national importance.

The Tinkers’ Heart is a formation of quartz stones laid into the surface of the old road between Cairndow and Strachur, overlooking Loch Fyne in Argyllshire. It is said to be a sacred monument for travellers, which traces its history back to the Battle of Culloden but, due to the primarily-oral tradition of the traveller community, there is very little documented history available on the monument and it’s significance.

Dr George Findlater, who is leading the consultation for Historic Scotland said: “We are really keen to hear about any information people may have – no matter how  trivial it may seem – regarding the Tinkers’ Heart. This is a great opportunity for those with knowledge of its history to help us better understand its cultural significance.”

“The petitioners and petition committee have already demonstrated the weight of feeling surrounding this particular monument, which is why we have chosen to look again at our previous decision.”

“We hope that by asking for the public to share their knowledge about this fascinating monument we can better understand its significance.”

Over the course of 12 weeks, senior staff from the Scottish Government agency are inviting members of the public to contribute their stories, songs, photographs, and any other information relating to the monument. They will also be writing to academics and relevant parties to ask for their input on the subject. Contributions can be made via the Historic Scotland website, by email, by post, or over the phone. HS staff will also be heading to the Argyll area to carry out  interviews with members of the local community.

The consultation is aimed primarily at traveller people and residents who currently live, or have lived in the Argyllshire area but contributions will be gratefully accepted from non-travellers and residents from anywhere across Scotland, and further afield.

Following the consultation, which closes on 15 May 2015, the information gathered will be analysed and used to inform the wider review of Historic Scotland’s position on the cultural significance of the Tinkers’ Heart. This will in turn help the assessors to determine whether the monument should be added to the list of monuments of national importance, which Historic Scotland maintains on behalf of Scottish Ministers.

Dr Findlater added: “Going out to engage with the public in such a wide ranging way is not something we do all the time but, given the challenges presented by this particular case, in assessing a monument linked to people who often relied primarily on oral tradition to pass down their history, we decided that these measures were necessary. Ultimately what we are trying to do is to improve our understanding on this important, yet sometimes neglected area of Scottish History.”

Find out more and respond to the consultation on our website.

Notes for editors:

• Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament.

• Historic Scotland and RCAHMS are creating a new public body, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) which will come into effect in October 2015.

• Register for media release email alerts from www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news. If you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email hs.website@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

• 2015 is the Year of Food and Drink, a celebration of Scotland’s natural larder and the role that food and drink plays in shaping our economic success. Scotland generates over £2.5m per day through food and drink tourism. A series of themed months will create an appetite for key areas of Scotland’s food and drink industries – from seafood and whisky to berries and high-quality meat. To find out more visitwww.visitscotland.com/tastescotland.

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For further information
Alan Bannon, Communications Officer
Historic Scotland Media Office
0131 668 8588 or 07854 366 805
alan.bannon@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

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Historic Scotland carries out public consultation exercise as part of wider review on the cultural significance of the Tinkers’ Heart monument in Argyll