Commentary Part 1 – Historic Environment Scotland Section 4 – Properties in Care
37.Under section 4, the Scottish Ministers are under a duty to maintain and publish a list of “properties in care”, functions relating to which can be delegated under section 3.
38.“Property in care” means any heritable property which is of historical, archaeological, architectural or cultural significance or interest and which is owned or occupied by, under the guardianship of, or otherwise under the management and control of the Scottish Ministers. Currently there are 345 such properties, consisting of a mixture of properties where Ministers hold title, properties where guardianship agreements have conferred management responsibilities on Ministers in perpetuity, and a small number of properties which are leased or held by other means. In all cases, these properties are held for the purpose of being conserved and made accessible for the public.