A view of the “unseen”: community participation and place-making in rural communities through intangible heritage connections

This paper attempts an in-depth understanding of the role of intangible heritage and traditional knowledge in relation to tangible heritage-related participation. Within the context of rural, declining communities, where heritage can act as catalyst for social sustainability, the study presents an exploration of motivations and impacts of participation in tangible and intangible heritage related activities in the context of Orkney islands, Scotland, UK. The research specifically studies successful cases of active local participation in projects realized between 2009-2012 including a variety of heritage assets within the rural landscape. From Neolithic archaeological sites’ excavation to Second World War sites restoration, the projects are under the umbrella of Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership Scheme, one of Heritage Lottery Fund’s funding flagship schemes in landscape level in UK the last decade. Through this case study approach and through qualitative, thematic analysis of 18 semi structured interviews realized with participants and managers in heritage projects, intangible heritage links and memory connections appeared as the main mobiliser to bring community together into active participation in heritage projects aiming to sustain its identity and the character of place. Within the wider research are of impact evaluation of heritage projects and the constant fight to increase local engagement , the research results underline the primary role of intangible aspects of the tangible. Those uncovered multiple memorial and ancestral connections with phenomenally “foreign” heritage assets (distant in time or place) and suggest recommendations for the new generation of heritage managers dealing with the challenge of inclusive practice. A progressive way forward, that promises increased participation and active community role, as well as subsequent increased community well being benefits through intangible heritage-based place making. Aspects of heritage in rural contexts are mirrored; through the elevated role of natural elements in community’ s perception of heritage, providing scope for provocations of pre-established and urban heritage definitions.