Public and community values in the sustainability of archaeological heritage

This paper focuses on research undertaken into public and community perceptions of the Yarrows Archaeological Trail near Wick in Caithness, Scotland. This was part of wider research into the presentation of archaeological sites in Scotland, which sought (amongst other aims) to provide an understanding of the different roles and meanings which archaeological sites have for the public.
The Yarrows Archaeological Trail incorporates eight prehistoric sites along a 4km circuit, and was initially developed in the early 1990s by the regional authority to increase public access to, and knowledge of, the archaeological heritage of this area.

This research used a qualitative methodology based around in-depth semi-structured interviews with visitors to the Trail and members of the local community. This paper will discuss some of the key themes which arose from this research, relating to the use(s), value(s), setting, conservation and sustainability of the archaeology of Yarrows.