Electronic copies of History and Politics research reports. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/2245 2026-10-03T07:44:01Z 2026-10-03T07:44:01Z Robson, Elizabeth Jones, Sian http://hdl.handle.net/1893/38245 2026-08-12T16:35:54Z 2026-07-22T00:00:00Z

Title: Social Values Assessment Report: Ben Lomond Author(s): Robson, Elizabeth; Jones, Sian Abstract: This report is based on the findings from a rapid, qualitative assessment of the social values associated with Ben Lomond, a mountain upland landscape in the care of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). The main body of the report provides a brief context to the assessment, outlines the research process and methods, summarises the findings, and considers their potential implications. It also notes the gaps and limitations of the study, suggesting future research directions. The assessment encompassed all aspects of the property – the uplands, the wooded lower slopes, the Bunkhouse, and farm – and engaged a wide range of groups. It identified multiple forms of attachment and varied practices co-existing within and spanning across the Trust’s property boundaries. The diverse environment supports conservation activities, varied leisure pursuits, and agricultural practices. The social values associated with Ben Lomond are underpinned by the types of knowledge and experiences that these different interactions bring, generating a range of views on what Ben Lomond is and what is important about it. The findings are illustrated with examples from interviews, group discussions, participant observation (on site and online), and pre-existing materials. This assessment was undertaken as one of the pilot studies for the collaborative research project, Social values of NTS heritage places: Towards an organisational approach.

2026-07-22T00:00:00Z Robson, Elizabeth Jones, Sian http://hdl.handle.net/1893/38244 2026-08-12T16:35:21Z 2026-07-22T00:00:00Z

Title: Social Values Assessment Report: Battle of Bannockburn site Author(s): Robson, Elizabeth; Jones, Sian Abstract: This report is based on the findings from a rapid, qualitative assessment of the social values associated with the National Trust for Scotland’s Battle of Bannockburn site, which is part of the historic battlefield where the Scottish and English armies met on 23-24 June 1314. The main body of the report provides a brief context to the assessment, outlines the research process and methods, summarises the findings, and considers their potential implications. It also notes the gaps and limitations of the study, suggesting future research directions. The assessment encompassed all aspects of the property – the visitor centre, the monuments, and the landscaped fields and woodlands – finding that these elements serve multiple functions for a variety of communities and are experienced and valued differently. This plurality can create an ambiguity regarding what the site as a whole represents and who it is for. Different meanings and activities are largely focused on different areas of the property (e.g. commemorations at the monument cluster, play in the woods and fields) and/or at different times; however, different expectations, narratives and values can result in tensions. The findings are illustrated with material from interviews, group discussion, and participant observation (on site and online). This assessment was undertaken as one of the pilot studies for the collaborative research project, Social values of National Trust for Scotland heritage places: Towards an organisational approach.

2026-07-22T00:00:00Z Robson, Elizabeth Jones, Sian http://hdl.handle.net/1893/38243 2026-08-12T16:33:31Z 2026-07-22T00:00:00Z

Title: Social Values Assessment Report: Isle of Iona Author(s): Robson, Elizabeth; Jones, Sian Abstract: This report is based on the findings from a rapid, qualitative assessment of the social values associated with the Isle of Iona, an island in the Inner Hebrides, much of which is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). The main body of the report provides a brief context to the assessment, outlines the research process and methods, summarises the findings, and considers their potential implications. It also notes the gaps and limitations of the study, suggesting future research directions. The assessment found that Iona’s relatively small size belies the degree of complexity it encompasses, arising from its varied geography, the different communities of identity and attachment, and the density of meanings and social values associated with the island, some of which conflict or compete. Social values are often strongly informed by Iona's history and its spiritual and religious associations, the environment/landscape, people’s social relationships, and the intersection of these, with places assuming different meanings depending on the context in which they are encountered or discussed. The findings are illustrated with material from in-depth semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and existing material that explores the values, experiences and sense of place, community identities (particularly of island residents), place attachment, and sense of belonging associated with Iona. This research was undertaken as one of the pilot studies for the collaborative research project, Social values of NTS heritage places: towards an organisational approach.

2026-07-22T00:00:00Z Jones, Sian Robson, Elizabeth http://hdl.handle.net/1893/38242 2026-09-18T00:00:21Z 2026-08-05T00:00:00Z

Title: Social Values Assessment Report: Staffa and Treshnish Isles Author(s): Jones, Sian; Robson, Elizabeth Abstract: This report is based on the findings from a rapid, qualitative assessment of the social values associated with the Isle of Staffa and the Treshnish Isles, a group of islands that are all in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. The main body of the report provides a brief context to the assessment, outlines the research process and methods, summarises the findings, and considers their potential implications. It also notes the gaps and limitations of the study, suggesting future research directions. The research found that participants saw the Treshnish Isles as a distinct group, separate from Staffa, and also differentiated between individual Treshnish islands, because of their varied character; however, there are many common themes in terms of social values. The assessment reveals that these uninhabited islands are embedded in complex networks of relationships with surrounding island communities - a wide range of social values arising from the ways the islands are connected to people’s lives and livelihoods. The islands also draw special interest groups from further afield (such as archaeologists, geologists, speleologists, nature conservationists and ornithologists), members of which can develop intimate relationships with the islands, generating social values and strong group identities rooted in their experience of place. The findings are illustrated with material from interviews and participant observation. This assessment was undertaken as one of the case studies for the collaborative research project, Social values of National Trust for Scotland heritage places: Towards an organisational approach.

2026-08-05T00:00:00Z