A historic Scottish site has been announced to be in the running to attain UNESCO World Heritage Status.
The UK Government announced on Monday morning that it is backing seven places across the nation to join the prestigious list, and included in the lineup is the Zenith of Iron Age Shetland. This is comprised of three separate settlements that date back thousands of years.
The three sites that make up the Zenith of Iron Age Shetland are the island of Mousa, and the archeological sites of Old Scatness and Jarlshof. The former is most well known for the Broch of Mousa—the tallest standing Iron Age round tower in the world—while the latter two are home to many Pictish, Bronze, and Iron Age remains.
Alongside other UK sites such as York city centre, Birkenhead Park in Merseyside, and Gracehill Moravian Church Settlements in Northern Ireland, it has been added to the Government’s ‘Tentative List’. It is hoped that it will join global landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and the Galápagos Islands.
World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance. It offers important places the opportunity to gain international recognition and promote themselves on a global stage.
Dr Val Turner, The Zenith of Iron Age Shetland, Shetland Regional Archaeologist, said: "We are thrilled and excited to remain on the new Tentative List and hope to progress to nomination within the next ten years.
"We have already experienced the benefits of being on the previous Tentative List, which has attracted first-class research to Shetland. We are currently working to conserve Old Scatness – a key milestone along the road."
Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay added: "Today we are confirming our support for some of the most enchanting heritage sites and breathtaking landscapes in the UK and its Overseas Territories as they bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
"All the locations being put forward would be worthy recipients of this accolade – and we will give them our full backing so they can benefit from the international recognition it can bring."
UK Government's proposed UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Birkenhead the People’s Park
- East Atlantic Flyway – England East Coast Wetlands
- The Flow Country
- Gracehill Moravian Church Settlements
- Little Cayman Marine Parks and Protected Areas
- York
- The Zenith of Iron Age Shetland
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