Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS), the national development body for museums and galleries in Scotland, is calling on people to get in touch about living heritage practices to include in the new Living Heritage Inventory for Scotland.
The Living Heritage Inventory for Scotland is an opportunity for communities, groups, and individuals who practice ‘living heritage’ to have their cultural traditions recognised at a national level. The inventory is managed by the UK Government and the UNESCO UK National Commission. Types of living heritage include crafts, folklore, traditional arts, calendar, and other customs, which are currently being practiced and have been passed down through generations.
All intangible cultural heritage that occurs in Scotland can be submitted to the inventory. This includes events and activities such as Common Ridings, highland games, fire or Bealltainn festivals, small-pipes and bagpipe playing, kilt-making, thatching, or customs associated with yearly celebrations such as Christmas, Hogmanay, or Makar Sankranti. Anyone living in Scotland is encouraged to get in touch with MGS about the custom or tradition they participate in.
MGS is a Community Support Hub for the Inventories and welcomes any enquiries about the process. You can speak to us about your submission to the inventory and we can provide advice and support. You can book a time to speak to Peter Hewitt and Jacob O’Sullivan via Eventbrite. The first submission window to the inventory closes on Friday 27 March 2026.
Peter Hewitt, Intangible Cultural Heritage Officer, said:
“Scotland has a diverse, exciting, and sometimes unexpected array of customs and traditions that take place across the country. We’re thrilled to work alongside tradition bearers to represent and record them for current and future generations.”
5 LIVING HERITAGE TRADITIONS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
When we think of traditions in Scotland there’s some well-loved ones that instantly spring to mind, from whisky to kilts, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find unique customs in every corner of the country.
- Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony, Aberdeenshire. An annual procession where townspeople swing giant fireballs to welcome in the New Year.
- The Holy Stones of Loch Tay, Perthshire. Locals lay the healing stones of St. Fillan in a bed of rushes; each year the old rush-bed is placed in the burn in a ceremony open to all.
- Camanachd or Shinty, an historic stick and ball game with roots in the 5th century AD. It is traditionally associated with the Highlands and Argyllshire, but it’s also played today in the east of the country and the central belt.
- Border Tart tradition – sometimes called the ‘Eymouth’ or ‘Ecclefechan Tart’. A unique and delicious pudding (no two are alike) influenced by Scotland’s close relationship with France prior to the Act of Union in 1707.
- Shaetlan, Shetland. Formerly considered a dialect of Scots, Shaetlan recently acquired its own ISO code, confirming that it is a language in its own right.
Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the national development body for Scotland’s museum sector. We support 455 museums and galleries through strategic investment, advice, workforce development, and advocacy. www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk
Featured image shows Isle of Arran Pipe Band at the Brodick Highland Games. Credit: coolplaces.co.uk