Scotland celebrates Intangible Cultural Heritage at annual conference in Perth

The Intangible Cultural Heritage in Scotland Conference took place at Perth Theatre and online on Friday, 14th November. The third annual intangible cultural heritage (ICH) conference provided an opportunity for Scotland’s cultural sector to come together and celebrate the rich diversity of ICH in Scotland and identify areas for support.

The annual conference is organised and funded by the ICH in Scotland Partnership which includes Creative Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS), and TRACS (Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland).

Significant progress has been made in safeguarding Scotland’s traditions and cultural practices since the UK Government ratified the 2003 UNESCO Convention on ICH in 2024. The conference marked an important moment with the announcement of an upcoming national inventory project aimed at documenting traditions and cultural practices in Scotland.

The day’s programme included various speakers and performers, such as Poppy Jarrat, the UNESCO Programme Officer for Perth UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art, who reflected on the significance and impact of Perth’s UNESCO designation on the local community and creative landscape.

Jacob O’Sullivan, Museum Development Manager – Collections and Interpretation at MGS spoke about safeguarding plans for community ICH and the Protection through Connection fund which supports partnerships between community tradition-bearers and cultural institutions.

Following the event, Jacob said:

“This year’s ICH Conference was one of the most inspiring events I’ve attended in some time. The programme was jam packed with passion and expertise from a wide range of speakers – including community practitioners, tradition bearers and policy makers – and a thoroughly engaged audience. In some cases, presentations and workshops featured traditional pipe music, fiddle tunes, unaccompanied Scots song, with the audience participating in Gaelic and Manx singing. Attendees had joined from all over these islands – from Derry to Derbyshire – and it’s clear that support for ICH and Living Heritage in Scotland is looked on favourably, and really matters to people throughout Scotland.”

Attendees enjoyed live demonstrations from master kilt-maker Marion Foster, a guided tour of Perth Museum, and strategic sessions with organisations including Culture Vannin, which supports Manx language and culture in the Isle of Man, GalGael, a working skills development community in Glasgow, and Creative Services Scotland. The day concluded with a ceilidh, inviting attendees to share songs and stories.

Catriona Hawksworth, Traditional Arts Officer at Creative Scotland said:  

“The exciting progress being made in recognising and valuing our living traditions means there will be better frameworks, support and opportunities for the people and communities who have been protecting these practices through the generations.

“The ICH partnership is working with the Scottish Government and the sector in a multi-pronged approach of outreach, research, policy and funding, with today’s conference being one example as a platform to celebrate, discuss and learn how we take this work even further.”