Historic shopfronts can reveal many things, giving an insight into the way previous generations lived and worked and a reminder of the particular identity of a community.

Leading experts in conservation, architecture and planning came together this week to look at how surviving examples chart the changes in the way we shop has changed and how it has affected the look of streets across the country.

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Acting Director of Historic Scotland's Technical Conservation Group David Mitchell explained: "We are very lucky to still see examples of some of the wonderful and different styles of architecture that was used to tempt customers to shops all across Scotland.

"Typically people may think of traditional timber frontages that evoke images of quaint shops filled with trinkets and beautifully decorated displays. But increased competition and changing tastes as consumers meant that the way we built shops changed also."

Scotland's Retail Buildings, organised by Historic Scotland, explored the history and materials associated with the architecture of Scotland’s retail buildings and will consider the issues facing their conservation and protection.

(GK/JM)