Supported by: Fulton MacGregor*, Ivan McKee* *S5M-08160 Liam McArthur: Record-breaking Summer 2017 for Historic Sites Across Orkney That the Parliament recognises that it has been a spectacular summer for Orkney s — ’ historic sites as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) announced record-breaking visitor figures for the 2017 summer season; notes that, during the period April to September, Skara Brae, which is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site and one of the top ten paid-for HES heritage attractions, recorded its busiest ever season with 104,224 people visiting the site, whish is a 19% increase on the same period last year; further notes that the Broch of Gurness and Bishop s and Earl's Palaces in Kirkwall also broke their existing visitor records, with an increase in ’ footfall of 34% and 17% respectively, while Maeshowe, which is regarded as one of the finest chambered tombs in Europe, also had an impressive showing, showing a 6% rise in visitors; acknowledges the the importance of tourism to Orkney s local economy and believes that these ’ figures demonstrate the intriguing history, impressive cultural heritage and fascinating archaeology Orkney has to offer; congratulates all those involved with Orkney s historic sites, and looks forward ’ to another successful summer in 2018.