ABSTRACT

This article explores young peoples’ perceptions and connections to their local cultural heritage in the Scottish Western and Northern Isles. Typically considered as heritage-rich contexts, this research project sought to gain an experiential understanding of young peoples’ relationship to local cultural heritage assets; in what ways these hold value for them; and if and how they associate these and other aspects of island heritage with their own sense of identity and belonging. Set against the backdrop of increasing youth migration and depopulation in Scotland’s island communities, insights emerged surrounding cultural advocacy, outward-facing representation and, in particular, the impact of tourism – as experienced by young people living in the diverse island contexts of Stornoway, Shetland and Orkney. Drawing on evidence from three island case studies, I present a studio-based approach for creatively engaging young people in heritage focused research. This article has methodological value for practitioners and researchers seeking to amplify youth-led perspectives on cultural heritage, as well as contextual insights in the areas of relational heritage and place-based identity.

摘要

本文探讨了年轻人对苏格兰西部和北部小岛当地文化遗产的看法和联系。该研究项目通常被认为是具有丰富遗产的背景，旨在获得对年轻人与当地文化遗产资产之间关系的体验性理解；这些以什么方式对他们有价值？以及是否以及如何将岛屿遗产的这些和其他方面与自己的身份和归属感联系起来。在苏格兰岛社区青年移民和人口日益增多的背景下，围绕居住在设得兰群岛斯托诺韦的不同岛屿环境中的年轻人所经历的文化宣传，朝外的代表以及特别是旅游业的影响，出现了见解和奥克尼。基于三个岛屿案例研究的证据，我提出了一种基于工作室的方法，可以使年轻人创造性地参与以遗产为中心的研究。本文对于寻求扩大青年主导的文化遗产观点以及关系遗产和地方身份认同领域的语境见解的实践者和研究人员具有方法论价值。