This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. The Past in the Present: History, Policy and the Scottish Landscape Sarah M. Govan S0899601 PhD The University of Edinburgh College of Science and Engineering School of Geosciences Institute of Geography and the Lived Environment 2018 2 Abstract History matters. It helps us understand where we have come from, where we are now and how we might choose to move forward. Landscape also matters, but the past is often presented as something separate from everyday life and the landscapes in which we live and work today. This research examines the official discourse of landscape in Scotland in order to understand how landscape as a whole is characterised, and identify the extent to which the historic dimension is addressed in institutional discourse in Scotland. By focusing on language, I analyse the assumptions embedded in the discussion of landscape in order to understand the significance afforded to the historic dimension. Official institutions in Scotland, including government and incorporated third sector bodies have contributed to the landscape discourse directly and indirectly. This research addresses a particular knowledge gap on how this discourse specifically addresses the historic dimension of landscape. Using discourse analysis and semi-structured interviews, this research examines how the concept of landscape is characterised in Scottish institutional discourse and explores the extent to which a historic dimension is recognised and addressed. It considers landscape is presented as the result of a dynamic and continuous process of complex interactions between people and their place over time, and the implications for its understanding and management. Three strands of public policy are examined (including landscapes, the historic environment and broader governance) for the extent to which this historic dimension can be detected in the meanings applied to ‘landscape’. It is focused on the combination of people and place in time and the extent to which these three factors are reflected in the literature. The research detects ambiguity in the institutional norms, with a discernible distinction between human as ‘receiver’, experiencing and perceiving landscape, and human as ‘agent’, in a dynamic relationship with a habitat. The analysis shows how this impacts on cross-sectoral and inter-disciplinary dialogue, the parallel use of ‘place’ and our wider sense of being in the world and being ‘in time’. Overall, this thesis concludes that the term ‘landscape’ means different things to different people and this prevents effective communication on the different dimensions of landscape, and their relative value to society. In characterising landscape, Scottish institutional discourse conveys a broad sense of meaning. It recognises the difference between people as perceiver, 3 and the entity which is being perceived and which is largely captured as scenery, countryside or natural beauty. But this characterisation does not significantly capture the essence of time and the constant processes of continuity and change. The historic dimension is only partially addressed in the discourse, mainly through implicit and ambiguous language that obscures its potential value for how we might understand and better manage an essential and highly valued resource. This research found that the historic dimension is not meaningfully addressed beyond reference to particular individual features. Landscape is conceived largely as a natural entity of scenic value that people can experience and enjoy, but with little reference to a its continuous evolution through time. KEY WORDS: historic environment; landscape; place; interaction; discourse, time Cover page image: Aberdeenshire – general view of Loanhead of Daviot (recumbent stone circle and enclosed cremation cemetery), with Mither Tap of Bennachie in the distance (Crown Copyright HES). 4 Lay Summary Landscape, as we think about it and experience it today, is widely understood as the result of people interacting with the world,. We are all different, and so there are many different ways to see and know the landscape. The focus of this research is on the history that we can find in landscape, and the traces that people in the past have left for us today. The landscape is valued in Scotland in lots of different ways, and this dissertation will study how official organisations write about landscape and how they think that history in landscape is important. Landscape is what we choose it to be as individuals, a choice based on what we think is important, coloured by our experiences and memories as we grow up and grow old. People live and work within the landscape; we move through it, absorbing it, reflecting on it, ignoring it and being constantly surprised by it; it is a complex and personal relationship for the individual, but also for the communities to which we belong. These relationships take place in time and space, and ‘landscape’ has become the popular term to capture ’the world out there’. It is difficult for government organisations to reflect the preferences of a nation, and so what they write tells us about how things might matter to the people of Scotland. This is important because the landscape that we care for and enjoy today is the result of the interaction between people and their environment over thousands of years; we experience the traces of the past in our present day lives. In order to understand how official organisations approach history in today’s landscape, I have analysed how official texts are written. I have also interviewed professionals to learn what they think landscape means, and whether this affects how communicate with each other and with other interested groups. To tie this research to real landscapes in Scotland, I have also included eight short case studies that illustrate the idea of landscape in places that I know. 5 6 Table of Contents Abstract....................................................................................................................3 Lay Summary............................................................................................................5 Table of Contents .....................................................................................................7 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................9 Permissions ............................................................................................................10 List of Figures .........................................................................................................11 List of Vignettes .....................................................................................................13 Abbreviations .........................................................................................................13 Declaration ............................................................................................................15 Chapter 1: Introduction ..........................................................................................17 Chapter 2: Understanding Landscape ....................................................................25 Chapter 3: Framing my Research ...........................................................................57 Chapter 4: Landscape in Policy and Governance ....................................................81 Chapter 5: Describing Landscape ......................................................................... 111 Chapter 6: Characterising Landscape ................................................................... 147 Chapter 7: Landscape and Place ........................................................................... 177 Chapter 8: Conclusions and Reflections ................................................................ 203 Appendices ........................................................................................................... 215 References ............................................................................................................ 247 7 8 Acknowledgements There are a great many people to whom I owe enormous thanks for their support, advice, guidance and kindness in getting to the finish line. This is a marathon and not a sprint. Firstly I want to thank my supervisors – Professor Emily Brady for her wisdom, unceasing patience, and faith that I really could complete this task; Dr Franklin Ginn for asking the hard questions when I was at risk of coming adrift on my methods and Dr Nina Morris for providing a firm hand in the tricky stage of writing up when I felt I was losing my senses. Professor Andy Dugmore offered sage advice at critical points,