Scotland has six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from stone monuments to industrial steel, which cover over 5,000 years of history. These places have been recognised by the United Nations as representing unique, or the most significant or best, examples of aspects of the world’s cultural heritage – and on World Heritage Day, 18 April, all six sites were celebrated through coordinated events, organised by Dig It! 2017 and partners. Known as ‘Scotland in Six’, this countrywide celebration explored aspects of each site’s past to showcase their historic features, with themed activities as unique as the locations hosting them.
Spinning yarns
Perhaps fittingly, it was Scotland’s capital that was the first place in the country to gain World Heritage status. Inscribed in 1996, ‘Edinburgh Old and New Towns’ encompasses both the medieval town – including its distinctive pattern of narrow passageways or ‘closes’, and the main thoroughfare of the Royal Mile running between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace – and the neoclassical 18th-century New Town, which is the largest and best-preserved example of Georgian town planning in the UK. This stark architectural contrast inspired a similarly varied musical extravaganza: as the sun started to rise on World Heritage Day, medieval minstrels faced off against Georgian-era musicians in a decidedly different battle of the bands.
The music spread to a railway station, an 18th-century townhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland, before reaching a final crescendo at St Cecilia’s Hall. There, the costumed performers entertained the audience with an interactive show at the music museum, before the victor was crowned following a public vote – which resulted in a diplomatic draw.
