A community-wide engagement exercise is set to begin this month to help shape future plans for the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.

The Orkney World Heritage Site programme — a partnership between Orkney Islands Council and Historic Environment Scotland — is among several initiatives being advanced through the Islands Growth Deal. Work is under way on a draft Programme Business Case to support investment.

Over the coming weeks, engagement will focus on three main areas to ensure proposals are informed by local knowledge, evidence and stakeholder priorities:

- How people travel to, from and within the World Heritage Site and Stenness village, including the management of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

- Options for a potential Orientation Centre in the Stenness area.

- Interpretation for the World Heritage Site as a whole.

The programme includes public drop-in sessions, themed workshops, meetings with residents, school activities and stakeholder discussions.

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Inga Burton: "UNESCO recognises that local communities are key partners in the stewardship of World Heritage Sites, with community participation being essential to the long-term conservation and sustainable development of heritage assets.

"The work being taken forward through the Orkney World Heritage Site programme links with other key documents such as the Heart of Neolithic Orkney Management Plan and provides an opportunity for the wider community to engage and participate in shaping how we protect and connect with the World Heritage Site moving forward."

Public drop-in sessions will take place as follows:

- Monday 21st September from 5:00pm to 7:00pm – Kirkwall Drop In Session – Old Library, Laing Street, Kirkwall

- Tuesday 22nd September from 6:00pm to 8:00pm – Stenness Drop In Session – Stenness Community Hall

- Wednesday 23rd September from 5:00pm to 7:00pm – Stromness Drop In Session – Warehouse Buildings, Stromness

- Thursday 24th September 5:00pm to 6:30pm – Sandwick Drop In Session – Sandwick Hall

The Heart of Neolithic Orkney was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. The site comprises the Skara Brae settlement; Maeshowe chambered tomb and the Barnhouse Stone; the Stones of Stenness and the nearby Watch Stone; and the Ring of Brodgar with nearby mounds and the Comet Stone.

World Heritage Sites are designated for their Outstanding Universal Value — cultural and/or natural significance of exceptional importance to humanity. Once inscribed, they must be managed to maintain and safeguard this value for future generations.

The Islands Growth Deal is one of a series of Region and City Deals funded by the UK and Scottish Governments. Built around three themes — leading the transition to a low-carbon future, supporting growth and future industries, and creating thriving, sustainable communities — it aims to deliver economic growth and sustainable jobs across the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland.