‘Heritage Angels’ named at awards

The inaugural Scottish Heritage Angel Awards which took place at the Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh Picture: Greg Macvean

Awards were handed out the Royal Lyceum Theatre, and winners included a volunteer in one of Europe’s most significant cemeteries, Scotland’s fire fighting past, the country’s unique canal and waterway heritage, the safeguarding of a pair of historic buildings in the North of Scotland and an individual who has dedicated more than 20 years to Scotland’s archaeological sector were all celebrated as winners as they each received an Angel Award.

The first ceremony of its kind in Scotland, and funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, had winners across five categories of awards, hosted by Scottish writer and broadcaster Sally Magnusson.

The awards celebrated remarkable individuals whose efforts helped protect Scotland’s heritage and history for both present and future generations.

Commenting on the inaugural Scottish Heritage Angel Awards, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, who also presented the Angel Award for Lifetime Contribution to the Historic Environment, said: “The Scottish Heritage Angel Awards celebrate and pay tribute to all that is best about those volunteers who are engaged and passionate about Scotland’s heritage and history and recognise the contribution they make towards better understanding, protecting and valuing our heritage.

“In its inaugural year, this initiative is an exciting first for Scotland’s heritage landscape. These awards demonstrate the dedication and commitment of volunteers who work on a great variety of worthy projects throughout the country, who might not otherwise receive the recognition they deserve and theseAngel Awards are in celebration of that.

“I was honoured to present Patrick Cave-Browne with the Angel for ‘Lifetime Contribution to the Historic Environment’ in recognition of his long volunteering association and work with Archaeology Scotland – which spans more than 20 years. This was made doubly special in a year that also recently welcomed the launch of Scotland’s first Archaeology Strategy.

“The valuable efforts of these remarkable volunteers will help ensure that future generations will be able to fully appreciate the wonderful and unique elements that make up Scotland’s rich and culturally diverse historic environment.”

Scotland’s first ever ‘Angels’ were decided upon by a judging panel made up of Professor John Hume OBE; Dr Peter Burman MBE, Vice Chair of Built Environment Forum Scotland; Harriet Eadie, Chief Executive of Volunteer Centre Edinburgh, Andrew Wright OBE, one of Scotland’s foremost conservation architects and Sally Magnusson.

The Scottish Heritage Angel Awards are delivered in partnership between the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, the Scottish Government, Historic Scotland, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, Scottish Civic Trust and Archaeology Scotland.

John Pelan, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust, added: “Honouring and acknowledging volunteers whilst recognising the benefit that their work brings to their local communities and the nation’s wider historic environment is at the very core of the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards.

“The inaugural year of this initiative has been hugely successful. From receiving over 80 high-quality applications to then narrowing this down to our shortlist and then choosing five overall winners has proven a challenge for our judges. This year’s Heritage Angels winners showcase the great diversity of important volunteer work that is being carried out at a local heritage level throughout the country.”

Scottish Heritage Angel Awards Winners 2015

Friends of Glasgow Necropolis in the category of Investigating and Recording for the surveying and archiving of graves and monuments, Glasgow.

Forres Heritage Trust in the category of Caring and Protecting for the restoration and bringing back into community use of two local historic landmarks, Nelson Tower and The Tolbooth, Moray.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Volunteers in the category of Sharing and Celebrating for their Scottish fire heritage project, South Lanarkshire and throughout Scotland.

Scottish Waterways Trust – Canals College in the category of Capacity Building for their canal and waterways heritage work, Falkirk

Patrick Cave-Browne for Lifetime Contribution to the Historic Environment in recognition of his valuable contributions to Scotland’s rich and diverse historic environment.