the designation process

Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites

A UK-wide Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites (ACHWS) exists to provide advice to Government on matters in relation to the 1973 Act. When an application is made for a wreck to be designated in Scottish waters, or for certain activities to be undertaken on a Designated Wreck Site, the ACHWS makes recommendations to Historic Scotland.

UK-wide contract for archaeological services

Historic Scotland has access to a pan-UK contract for archaeological services in support of the 1973 Act. The objectives of this contract are to:

• provide advice and archaeological assessment to inform the designation of wrecks under the 1973 Act;
• provide advice and archaeological assessment to facilitate the management and understanding of existing designated wreck sites.

Designation criteria

Candidate sites for designation are assessed against a set of agreed 'designation criteria' 25kb. Clear and consistent application of these criteria ensures that only the most significant sites are protected, where statutory protection will make a difference.