Policy & Guidance

Carved Stones: Scottish Executive Policy and Guidance was published in May 2005. Prepared by Historic Scotland, it sets out the Scottish Ministers’ policies and guidance for the care and protection of carved stones. Hard copies can be requested by emailing The Conservation Bureau.

The full PDF document can be downloaded here [3.63 mb]

Scottish Executive: Policy and Guidance

Foreword [124kb]. Patricia Ferguson, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport in 2005, explains the significance of carved stones, the nature of the document and how she hopes it will be used.

Background and Aims [1.2Mb].  Describes the range of carved stones, the background to the document and its aims; explains why a generic policy and guidance has been produced for the treatment of carved stones; introduces the issue of ownership, responsibility and protection; and provides a little background to the range of carved stones in Scotland and Historic Scotland’s work with them.

Strategic Policy [122kb].  Defines the policies that the Scottish Government will seek to uphold.  

Operational Policy [431kb]. Describes the operational policies of Historic Scotland as they relate to carved stones.

Guidance [1.13Mb]. Provides general guidance that everyone should follow when dealing with carved stones, under the headings of legal protection, raising awareness, conservation strategies and practice, including intervention, and research and information.

Appendices [397kb]. Four appendices deal with aspects of ownership of carved stones, aspects of legal protection of carved stones, interim guidance for rubbing carved stones for scientific purposes, and sources of funding for carved stones

References [242kb]. Further reading is listed under a series of headings.

Contacts for further information [147kb]. Summarises who to contact for what, and provides details of local authority contacts and other useful organisations.

Index [125kb].

Action plan

This is a working document produced by Historic Scotland for internal use across the agency in response to Carved Stones: Scottish Executive Policy and Guidance.

The document expresses the ideas that are current at any time. It will be used to inform the Historic Scotland corporate planning process, which is where any statement of formal intent will be found.

As a working document, this is subject to regular change and updates.

Download the Action plan [69kb]