HLF is a key partner in this special themed year and through its programme, Stories, Stones and Bones, has awarded more than a £250,000 of grants to 28 projects. From young people in the Highlands learning to build with turf to Dundonians collecting memories, histories, poems and songs from their city, communities around the country will be celebrating their past. Over half the applications were from people inspired to explore heritage for the first time.

[quote=Fiona Hyslop, Culture Secretary]“HLF’s engagement in the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, and its dedicated grants fund for the year, is to be welcomed.”[/quote]

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland is a nation with rich history, heritage and impressive archaeology. HLF’s engagement in the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, and its dedicated grants fund for the year, is to be welcomed. The grants scheme has attracted many first-time applicants and community-based projects that value and wish to celebrate their own local heritage.” 

Two projects which have received funding include:

Deaf Action Stories and Stones

History will be brought to life for young people with hearing impairment from Edinburgh and the Borders with a number of abbeys, castles, gardens and wild landscapes made accessible to them for the first time. The project will include guided walks with British Sign Language interpretation and the opportunity to take part in hands-on conservation.

Talking Turf

An outdoor classroom in the beautiful Glen Strathfarrar near Beauly will welcome 400 children from urban schools to learn about the Shieling way of life in the Highlands. They will get stuck into the mud as they learn the traditional skills of cutting and building with turf, helping to construct a livestock pen for the Shieling. They will also hear the stories and understand the placenames associated with this traditional way of life.