Why does it exist?
The HER began life as a Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) in the mid 1980s. The requirement for local authorities to have access to locally held SMRs is included in government policy documents including National Planning Policy Guidance Note 5 and Planning Advice Note 42 (1994).
The HER forms the basis of the professional advice provided by the Highland Council Archaeology Unit to Council services, utility companies, landowners and developers. For more information on this please go to the Archaeology pages on the the main Highland Council website.
The HER is also an important resource for research and is regularly used by members of the public, heritage groups, consultants and academics.