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World Heritage Sites

World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO as exceptional places of ‘outstanding universal value ... belonging to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located’. The spectacular volcanic archipelago of St Kilda was designated Scotland's first World Heritage Site in 1986, with the Roman frontier of the Antonine Wall gaining recognition in 2008.

There are currently five World Heritage Sites in Scotland:

  • St Kilda
  • Edinburgh Old and New Towns
  • Neolithic Orkney
  • New Lanark
  • The Antonine Wall

Through our active surveying and recording programmes RCAHMS has generated a wealth of imagery relating to these important sites including photographs, aerial views, and digital drawings. RCAHMS also maintains an active digitisation programme of its Collection items, copying photographs and historic views, photograph albums, original architects’ drawings, excavation plans, new survey drawings, engravings, sketches, books and maps.

To mark World Heritage Day on 18 April 2011, selected examples from our Collections are available to browse and buy in the World Heritage Sites in Scotland gallery.

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