Guidance for Owners & Occupiers

• The Inventory explained
• Caring for gardens and designed landscapes
• Grants

Does inclusion in the Inventory restrict what I can do?
Historic Scotland does not intervene in the day-to-day running and maintenance of Inventory gardens and designed landscapes. Our involvement is limited to development that requires planning permission. The local authority is required to consult us on development proposals considered to affect an Inventory garden or designed landscape, although they are not bound by the advice that we give.

If your plans involve a listed building or scheduled monument within the designed landscape, please note that consent procedures appropriate to these statutory designations apply.

Will I be consulted?
Although not required by legislation, Historic Scotland makes reasonable effort as part of the assessment to consult the owner or occupier of a site under consideration for inclusion in the Inventory, or under review as part of the Resurvey Programme. We recognise that the input of those who own the property and know the site well is often invaluable for understanding its historic development. It also gives us the opportunity to explain fully the implications of Inventory status and answer any questions that arise.

Does owning an Inventory site mean that I have to open it to the public?
No. Inclusion in the Inventory does not require owners to open their property to the public. There are many privately-owned sites in the Inventory that have no formal access arrangements.

Where can I see the Inventory?
The Inventory can be accessed via the following our online search facility. Historic Scotland and RCAHMS also provide a link to the lists through a map base, through the PASTMAP website.

Further information can be found in our booklet:   The Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes: A guide for owners, occupiers and managers [pdf, 476 kb]. This guide is also available in a Gaelic version (which will be will be updated by 2015) Cunntas de Gharaidhean is Sheallaidhean-tire Dealbhaichte ann an Alba [pdf, 1.41mb]



The owners of Scotland’s finest gardens and designed landscapes face many challenges, ranging from climate change and managing the resource as a whole to dealing with specific physical problems such as deteriorating built structures or invasive species.

Historic Scotland supports both targeted, positive management solutions for gardens and designed landscapes and the development of more comprehensive plans for their ongoing and future management. We can provide comments on management plans for Inventory sites. The Forestry Commission may also consult us for our views on significant felling proposals and other woodland management within Inventory sites.

We encourage owners to seek external professional advice on landscape management issues and to pursue solutions compatible with the character and historic structure of their garden or designed landscape. For issues relating to the care and maintenance of historic buildings and structures, Historic Scotland’s Conservation Directorate can provide guidance, and issues publications for both professionals and the public. Contact the team on 0131 668 8668, email hs.heritagemanagement@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.





Historic Scotland administers a number of grant and funding schemes to support bodies and individuals in the protection, education and promotion of the historic environment.

Programmes that may be of interest to owners of gardens and designed landscapes include:

Landscape Management Plan Grants
Grants can be awarded towards the cost of preparing a landscape management plan for a site included in the Inventory. We consider applications throughout the year and can award grants at rates of up to 50% of the cost of preparing a plan by a consultant who has an established record of such work.

Building Repair Grants Scheme
This scheme covers grants for the repair and conservation of listed buildings. Competition for grants is strong and each application is assessed against a range of criteria.

Ancient Monument Grants
This scheme provides financial assistance to help preserve and maintain monuments, and in some cases to present them to the public.

Further information on all of the above grant schemes can be obtained from Historic Scotland’s investments and projects team,, telephone 0131 668 8645, email hs.grants@scotland.gov.uk.