Achi news desk-
Masons, blacksmiths and digital pioneers are among the “vital” roles Historic Environment Scotland (HES) says will play a part in ensuring Scotland’s heritage continues to be enjoyed for generations to come.
HES is encouraging more people to pursue a career in protecting and maintaining Scotland’s historic environment as part of a new ‘I Make History’ campaign, which has been launched to raise awareness of the opportunities to develop traditional and new skills within the heritage sector.
This comes after a survey commissioned by HES to accompany the campaign found significant support for traditional and heritage-related skills, with 83% of respondents stating that it is important to teach people traditional skills young at school.
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Two thirds of respondents said they were interested in a career in the heritage sector, with existing skilled workers most likely to be interested.
Demographically, young people in the survey are most interested in learning bricklaying (35%), with digital scanning and blacksmithing skills a close second (31%), conservation techniques (30%) and thatching (30% ), with young people aged 18-24. particularly think it is important to preserve traditional skills with almost 65 percent (64.75%) interested in a career in the heritage sector.
Alex Paterson, chief executive of HES, said: “It is vital that we train and retain traditional and new skills for the heritage sector and for the benefit of Scotland’s past, present and future.
“We need more young people to think about entering the sector from school, college or university. And we need more skilled workers and those trying to change careers to consider changing sectors.
“The heritage sector provides rewarding career opportunities, and makes a real difference to Scotland’s rich historic environment. Traditional skills are vital to Scotland’s retrofitting efforts, with around one in five Scottish homes built before 1919, these skills will play a critical role in our journey to net zero targets. By further integrating green practices and innovative technologies, the historic environment contributes to a greener, more sustainable future while providing economic benefits through jobs, tourism and local business opportunities.”
HES mason Luke Maher uses traditional ways of working to preserve historic properties for our future. He was part of the team responsible for transporting the Stone of Destiny for the coronation of King Charles, and has worked on the Antonine Wall, which is on the site of what was once almost the northernmost boundary of the Roman Empire to 2,000 years ago.
Mr Maher said: “I get to work in some of the most beautiful properties in Scotland and look after our history on a daily basis. It’s changed my life – it’s given me a career and a craft that I can take around the world.”
Sophia Mirashrafi, Senior Digital Innovation Officer at HES, is responsible for digitally mapping ancient sites and artefacts to create 3D representations and prints, improving the ways we interact with historic assets.
Drawing inspiration from the gaming and photography industries, he uses his skills in digital mapping and photogrammetry and applies them across the heritage sector, creating a blend of old and new in traditional trades such as stonemasonry.
Ms Mirashrafi said: “I get to crawl around in really cool places across Scotland, like Maeshowe, which is a chamber tomb in Orkney, and Skara Brae, a 5,000-year-old village on the same island. While at these world heritage sites, I’m down on my hands and knees crawling along corridors to access every nook and cranny for digital mapping. Some of the walls are even covered in Viking graffiti.”
