Heritage Conservation is by no means unique to the modern age as objects and sites of value were preserved in ancient times. However, since the eighteenth century there has been a massive growth of interest in the topic. In Scotland, early evidence of this interest is found in the record of monastic ruins published in 1693 by the King’s military engineer, Captain John Slezer in his Theatrum Scotiae. Following the 1587 Act of Annexation of James VI, and even more so after the abolition of the episcopacy in 1689, the State became technically responsible for a number of cathedrals in Scotland. This commitment was extended to a wider range of monuments from 1882 onwards by the various Monuments Acts.

Among the nineteenth-century pioneers who were promoting public interest in conservation in Scotland was Sir Walter Scott and his views were given wide currency because of his international reputation. Robert Reid, the King’s Architect in Scotland and founder of the short lived Scottish Office of the King’s Works, showed a clear grasp of the principles of minimal intervention and the preservation of authenticity and historic value. As early as 1829, he wrote: “I conceive that in all cases of this kind restoration or embellishment should not be the object, but that repairs... should be executed... with the view solely to their preservation, and in effecting that object the less appearance of interference with their present state and construction the better.” Reid’s approach anticipated that of William Morris in his Manifesto which was, and still is, promoted by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings. Reid also guided the work of the Clerk of Works in Scotland, and other forebears of Historic Scotland with his vision.

Over the years, various attempts have been made to clarify and modify conservation principles and a number of statements, the Venice Charter being the best known, have been produced. In addition, over the century that has passed since William Morris penned his Manifesto, much has been learned about different aspects of technical conservation. For example, more is now known about traditional building materials and construction methods: new means of non-destructive investigation and recording have been developed and scientific research has provided increased understanding of the complex processes of decay. Whilst being informative in their own right, such advances in knowledge often create dilemmas for practitioners as they can directly challenge previously published statements on the philosophy and ethics of conservation work.

By bringing together for the first time and analysing over seventy national and international statements of conservation principles in this advice note, we hope that this guide by Dr. Bell, Director of the Scottish Centre for Conservation Studies, Edinburgh, will provide the basis for a better informed approach to building conservation work in Scotland and elsewhere.

INGVAL MAXWELL Director, TCRE