Petitioner: Jess Smith
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
28 May 2014
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to direct Historic Scotland to investigate what action can be taken to ensure the restoration and preservation of the Heart of Quartz stones positioned in a field next to the A815, opposite the junction of the B839, overlooking Loch Fyne, known as the Gypsy Wedding Place, referred to locally as the Tinkers’ Heart.
Summary:
30 September 2014: The Committee took evidence from Jess Smith. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, Historic Scotland, Argyll and Bute Council and Kate How. Link to Official Report 30 September 2014 (509KB pdf)
Below: Jess Smith at the meeting on 30 September 2014
9 December 2014: The Committee agreed to write to Historic Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council. The Committee also agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs and Historic Scotland to give evidence at a future meeting. Link to Official Report 9 December 2014
17 February 2015: The Committee took evidence from Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Noel Fojut, Head of Historic Environment Legislation, Scottish Government, and Barbara Cummins, Director of Heritage Management, Historic Scotland. The Committee agreed to reflect on the evidence heard and consider a paper by the Clerk at a future meeting. The Committee also agreed to write to Historic Scotland, Kate How and the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee. The Committee also agreed to consider whether to respond to the joint consultation on a Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland. Link to Official Report 17 February 2015
7 September 2015: The Committee agreed to close the petition, under Rule 15.7, on the basis that the Tinkers’ Heart will be listed as a monument of national importance and stakeholders are in the process of developing a long-term plan for its restoration and preservation. Link to Official Report 7 September 2015
Written Submissions:
The ethos of the Scottish Government’s campaign One Scotland Many Cultures is admirable. The historical and present contributions made to our country by various groups of people is something to celebrate and be proud of – we would not be the Scotland we are today without them. A strong country is made by strong people who love this land. And its people - all of its people - always have been Scotland’s strength.
Please help us convince the Scottish Government to acknowledge the historical and present importance of one of those groups by signing this petition asking them to schedule the Tinkers’ Heart as a monument. What could be a more fitting reminder of the Tinkers’ part in Scottish life than a heart created from love and memories in the rural landscape at a point where the roads meet?