ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission to Edinburgh - Historic Scotland

9. The Role of Edinburgh World Heritage Trust
Edinburgh World Heritage Trust (EWH) champions the city’s World Heritage
Site. EWH is funded by two sponsors ‐ the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) and
Historic Scotland (HS). Its work is prioritised through the Outcomes Agreement,
signed with the sponsors in October 2007. It also published the Management
Plan for the World Heritage Site in July 2005, as required by the Convention
Background – 35 years of conservation
EWH was set up in 1999 as a merger of two organisations; the Edinburgh New
Town Conservation Committee formed in 1970, and the Edinburgh Old Town
Committee for Conservation and Renewal launched in 1986. Over the past 35
years, approximately £32 million has been spent by EWH and its predecessors
on the conservation of the built heritage of the city centre. The work of EWH is
focused on three core areas:
Influence & Monitor
• Influence policy, planning and development
• Monitor change within the World Heritage Site
The World Heritage Steering Group, facilitated by EWH, brings together all of
the key stakeholders involved in the management of the Site.
Conserve & Enhance
• Administer a Conservation Funding Programme to conserve the Site
• Identify projects to enhance the World Heritage Site
In November 2007 EWH launched the Twelve Monuments Project, in
partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, to restore some of the city’s
most important statues and monuments.
36