Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be featured in six different events on World Heritage Day

Scotland, 2017-Apr-02 — /Travel PR News/ — For the first time ever, Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites will feature in six different events on World Heritage Day (18 April) as part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017. At Scotland in Six, Picts will race Romans at the Antonine Wall, knitters will descend on New Lanark and musicians will do battle in Edinburgh.

The Scotland in Six free events will begin in Edinburgh Old Town and New Town with Medieval minstrels and classical Georgian-era musicians roaming the city, culminating in a lunchtime Battle of the Bands.  In the Outer Hebrides, participants will build, excavate and explore St Kilda through the popular Minecraft video game.The Forth Bridge will play host to a Victorian steampunk festival and an army of knitters will head to New Lanark to cover the Institute in woollen yarn.At the Antonine Wall, Picts will chase down Romans over a 5k race, ending with a Great Roman Bake Off.The final event will take place at the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, as a group of young participants set out on a glow-in-the-dark adventure.

The events are being coordinated by Dig It! 2017, the year-long celebration of Scottish archaeology, along with partners from each local community.The World Heritage Day events are funded by EventScotland, as a Signature Event for the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

Old vs. New: Battle of the Bands, Edinburgh

Medieval minstrels and Georgian classical musicians will pop up across the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh before meeting at St Cecilia’s Hall for the Battle of the Bands.Who wins?The audience decides.

Crafting St Kilda

ImmersiveMinds will take on the challenge of building of building St Kilda through Minecraft.The map will be available for public download, so gamers all over the world will be able to explore St Kilda’s history, people and landscapes.

3 minutes in 1980: A Victorian Festival, Forth Bridge, Fife

In the three minute journey between the two stations, you could meet a Victorian archaeologist or engineer inviting commuters to the grand opening of the Forth Bridge.

Knit New Lanark, Lanarkshire

Over the Easter weekend, the Institute will be yarnbombed with all manner of knitted contributions, there will even be a pom-pom making station!Through the course of the day, more and more will be added to the yarnbomb site creating a very different view of this iconic building.

Glow in the Archaeodark, Neolithic Orkney

A group of young explorers will take on a night time adventure into the heart of Neolithic Orkney.With face and bodypaint designs inspired by the markings at the sites, the procession will proceed by firelight making for an awesome spectacle.

Romans v Picts 5k and Great Roman Bake Off, Antonine Wall, Falkirk

As evening falls, Picts (complete with blue paint) will battle against Romans (complete with headgear) in a race across the site of the Antonine Wall.For families, friends and hungry runners, Callendar House will play host to a Great Roman Bake Off.

About VisitScotland

• VisitScotland launched its global Spirit of Scotland campaign in 2016. To find out more, go to www.visitscotland.com Join the conversation by using #ScotSpirit
• Spirit of Scotland PR activity is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.
• VisitScotland’s Community site was set up for the Scottish public to help, engage and enthuse potential visitors about the country. To get involved go to: www.visitscotland.com/community
• For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
• For VisitScotland’s press releases go to www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to www.visitscotland.org

About 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology

• 2017 is the year to delve into the past and discover Scotland’s fascinating stories through a wide-ranging variety of new and existing activity to drive the nation’s tourism and events sector, boosting tourism across Scotland.
• The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology begins on 1 January 2017 and will end on 31 December 2017.It will build on the momentum generated by previous themed years in Scotland including the 2015 Year of Food and Drink, Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.
• The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Creative Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Built Environment Forum Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund, Museums Galleries Scotland and Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland.
• The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology is supported by £570,000 of Scottish Government funding.
• The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
• For more information visit visitscotland.com/HHA2017 or join the conversation at #HHA2017

About DigIt! 2017

• Dig It! 2017 is a year-long celebration of Scottish archaeology, co-ordinated by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and Archaeology Scotland for the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017.
• The project is primarily funded by Historic Environment Scotland.

SOURCE: VisitScotland

MEDIA CONTACTS:
For further information, please contact:
Laura Mitchell, Assistant PR Manager
Tel: (0131) 472 2043
laura.mitchell@visitscotland.com

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