Scotland's Community Heritage Conversations 2025: Routes to Resilience

About this event

In person at The Engine Shed, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ

Online via Microsoft Teams

Routes to Resilience

People are at the heart of community heritage, and the health of our cultural, built, natural, and archaeological heritage is intricately tied to the passion, dedication, expertise and energy of the people who care for it. But in the face of ever-growing pressures, how can organisations remain resilient, and access the support and resources needed to create sustainable futures for community heritage?

Scotland's Community Heritage Conversation 2025 wants to discuss routes to resilience, whether through engaging with funders and exploring alternative income streams or accessing and utilising our existing assets and resources to strengthen existing ties and reach new audiences. We will hear from organisations who have built their capacity in creative ways, celebrate the wide variety of activities undertaken by community heritage organisations, and consider how we can continue to deliver a resilient, vibrant and inclusive future for all.

About Scotland's Community Heritage Conversations

Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversations (SCHC) began in November 2020 as a digital re-imagining of Scotland’s Community Heritage Conference, bringing together volunteers, community groups and heritage professionals to talk about and tackle some of the largest challenges facing us as a sector.

SCHC was developed to provide an engaging and and approachable forum for sharing experiences and opportunities, discussing emerging policy and practice, and supporting one another through new and innovative solutions. The conversations are delivered through a partnership of Historic Environment Scotland, Archaeology Scotland, The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, the Scottish Council on Archives, Scottish Community Heritage Alliance, Scottish Civic Trust, Scottish Community Tourism (SCOTO) and Heritage Network.

Previous Conversations have explored capacity building within grassroots community groups, looked at adapting through digital, discussed exciting new ideas in youth empowerment and examined the connections between heritage and wellbeing.

What to expect on the day

The programme includes a mixture of talks, panel discussions, workshops and One Minute Mayhem, a 60-second soapbox open to all, where attendees have the chance to share news and updates from their own organisations and projects. These sessions will showcase community-led approaches to organisational sustainability, designed to inspire, encourage connections, and offer practical reflections and actions.

The event is being held at the Engine Shed in Stirling. For more information on the Engine Shed, including transport links and accessibility, please take a look at their website. We will have BSL signers available and additional information will be provided to attendees ahead of the event.

Photographs will be taken on the day. If you would prefer not to be in photos there will be an opportunity to identify yourself to event organisers on arrival.

How to get involved

This event will once again feature digital posters, created by community heritage groups and organisations as an opportunity to spotlight their projects, work and initiatives. We will be displaying posters based on the conference theme, in a constant loop throughout the day on large screens situated in the Main Hall at the Engine Shed. To find out more about digital posters, and how to showcase your organisation or project, please visit the dedicated webpage at Scotland's Community Heritage Conversations - Scottish Council on Archives .

If you would like to guarantee yourself a slot for One Minute Mayhem, you can pre-book this by contacting Samya from Heritage Network. Any free spaces still available on the day will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ticket allocation

The conference is free to attend, either in-person or digitally. The in-person capacity is limited and we will hold a waiting list. If you have booked an in-person ticket and can no longer attend, please let us know so we can reallocate your ticket and change it to a digital one if required. Catering will be provided free of charge and we want to do what we can to avoid any waste and others missing out.

Please feel free to share this event with your network as there are many people, groups, and communities we haven't yet reached who could have a positive impact on the conversation!

Info: If you are joining us on Teams, the session will be open from 9.45 am. Please log on by 9.55 am at the latest.

Info: The Architectural Heritage Fund will share their experience of assessing early-stage plans to re-use listed buildings; considerations ranging across governance, ownership, planned new uses, beneficiaries, business planning, organisational capacity, risks, fundability, urgency… giving tips on what funders are looking for in a good project and how to increase the chance of funding success.

Info: SCOTO CIC has been working with over 50 communities across Scotland since 2023 and heritage has been a key consideration at most if not all these community workshops. Learn more about what community led tourism is and how SCOTO Press Pause ® could help your community and your heritage activity.

Info: A quickfire one-minute open mic session: your opportunity to share your projects, initiatives, achievements or even just your views. Sign up in advance or come on down on the day!

Info: SCOTO CIC has been working with over 50 communities across Scotland since 2023 and heritage has been a key consideration at most if not all these community workshops. Learn more about what community led tourism is and how SCOTO Press Pause ® could help your community and your heritage activity.

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