Simple terms explainer

The council keeps a Historic Environment Record (HER), which contains information about known archaeological sites, historic buildings, finds, and landscapes in the area. When new developments are proposed, the council’s archaeological advisors use this information to assess whether important remains could be affected. If necessary, the council can require surveys, recording, or archaeological excavations before or during development. This ensures that important parts of Scotland’s historic environment are protected, properly investigated, and recorded for future generations.