People across Scotland are being invited to submit their ideas for somebody they would like to be recognised with a commemorative plaque.
Historic Scotland’s plaque Scheme, now in its third year, celebrates the life and achievements of significant persons from all walks of life, by placing a plaque on their home or a building that’s particularly associated with them.
People are invited to submit their nominations by filling in a short form on Historic Scotland’s website where they will be asks two questions: why does their nominee deserve to be nominated, and what is the significance of their chosen building?
Only 12 plaques are awarded each year; an independent panel of experts assesses the nominations before making the final choice, which will then be announced in Spring 2015.
Last year’s scheme sought nominations linked to Year of Natural Scotland while 2012/13 saw achievements in the arts and creative fields celebrated.
Announcing this year’s scheme, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland has historically punched above its weight with its contribution to the arts and creative fields.
“That has been reflected in the calibre of people who have been recognised by the Commemorative Plaque scheme. Previous years have seen the likes of John Logie Baird, James Watt, and Wilfred Owen receiving plaques, to name a few.
“Previous plaques have been unveiled to household names but not all but not all nominees need be – many of the other plaques have been awarded to people who left significant legacies of their own, but have not been as widely recognised. This is an opportunity to address that.
“As opposed to previous years, when nominees had to be selected based on a particular theme, this year is an open theme which I’m sure will encourage a great variety of nominations from across the spectrum of Scottish life.
“I would very much like to see more nominations of women who have made a difference and there are many to choose from in Scotland.
Speaking about the scheme, Martin Ross, Projects and Policy Manager at Historic Scotland said “We’ve designed the scheme to commemorate the link between a particular person and a specific building, because buildings can say a great deal about the character of the particular person who lived or worked there.
“This year we’d really like to get nominations for more women of achievement, from any part of Scotland.”
