About us

The Highland Council Historic Environment Team (formerly the Highland Council Archaeology Unit) identifies, protects, promotes and interprets the historic and archaeological heritage of the Scottish Highlands for the benefit of residents and visitors.  We cover historic buildings, conservation areas, archaeological sites and the wider landscape in which these sit. 

One of our main roles is commenting on planning applications that may impact on the archaeological and historical resource. For more information on this aspect of our work please see the Highland Council Standards for Archaeological Work document, which sets out practical guidelines for a consistent approach to the management of the historic environment within the planning process in Highland.

Through the planning process we also aim to protect and enhance sites and areas of historic and archaeological interest and significance that are designated at a national level by Historic Environment Scotland. These include Scheduled Monuments, Inventory Gardens and Designed Landscapes, Inventory Battlefields and Historic Marine Protected Areas.