Heritage plaques can be a visible and effective way of connecting past and present in our towns and cities. They give information about the ordinary and unknown heritage of the city.
There are many individual plaques and local heritage trails in Glasgow, plus Historic Environment Scotland run a Commemorative Plaque Scheme across Scotland which celebrates significant people by erecting plaques on the buildings where they lived or worked. The scheme celebrates the link between person and building and emphasises the social and human element of local architecture.
A building can say a great deal about the character of the person who inhabited it. It can confirm assumptions or come as a complete surprise, casting a new light on the person concerned.
The deadline for nominations is 28th February – so you still have a couple of days to get a suggestion in – and they are particularly looking for suggestions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender figures from Scotland’s past as the country marks LGBT History Month.
Plaques are a great way to inform and educate people about their built environment, but some plaques relish their lack of historical accuracy. It’s not in Glasgow but we love this plaque celebrating the birthplace of Star Trek engineer Montgomery “Scottie” Scott in Linlithgow in the year 2222!
Find out more about heritage plaques…
- Nominate someone to be celebrated by Historic Environment Scotland’s plaque scheme – deadline 28th February.
- Find the rest of the Obscure History of the Merchant City pavement plaques.
- Fancy setting up your own local plaque scheme? Read the Scottish Civic Trust’s guidance first!
- As an alternative to a physical plaque – read about Collective Architecture’s Merchant City Voices project.
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