Plans for the management of Orkney's World Heritage sites over the next five years (2014-2019) has now opened for consultation.

UNESCO requires that World Heritage Site Management Plans are reviewed every five years.

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney is made up of six sites:

• Skara Brae

• Maeshowe

• Barnhouse Stone

• Stones of Stenness

• Watch Stone

• Ring of Brodgar.

The area became a World Heritage Site in 1999 and since then a group of partners comprising of Historic Scotland, Orkney Islands Council, the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage have worked together to safeguard the special qualities, values, authenticity and integrity of the site.

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Alice Lyall, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site Coordinator, said: "This plan is designed to safeguard the 'Outstanding Universal Value' of the Site, the aspects that make it so special and of importance not only to Orkney and to Scotland but to people all around the world, for the future.

"The plan outlines a vision and long term strategy for the site and identifies key issues for the 2014-19 period, proposing sustainable ways to tackle them. The consultation provides the public with the opportunity to have their say on how we do this over the next five years."

Orkney Islands Council's Development and Marine Planning Manager, Stuart West, added: "These sites are some of the most important surviving examples of Neolithic landscapes in Western Europe, and are central to Orkney's character and to our tourism industry.

"We'd therefore urge people to look at the suggestions in the Plan for how the sites will be looked after and developed in the coming five years, and pass on any comments to the team at Historic Scotland."

The Plan, which aims to provide an overview for the management, conservation and enhancement of the sites, will be available for public comment for the next eight weeks.

(JP/IT)