HES is urging the public to get submissions over the line before the survey closes on Thursday 20 August 2026
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is issuing a final call for submissions to its Scottish football heritage project before the final whistle sounds and the survey closes on Thursday 20 August 2026.
Members of the public, local communities, supporters and historians across the country are being encouraged to get their suggestions in before full time by submitting sites connected to the history of football in Scotland for further investigation and recording.
Submissions could include grounds, pavilions, parks, buildings or other locations with a strong connection to the history of the game in Scotland.
Scotland is recognised as a pioneering football nation, but many places linked to that story are not widely known or recorded. With the help of the public, the project aims to build a fuller picture of locations throughout the country that have helped shape the game.
The project will mainly look to focus on the development of Association Football from the 1860s onwards, a time when Scotland’s first teams and players played an important role in developing and popularising the version of the sport that is played worldwide today.
The information gathered through the survey will be used to help HES identify sites for further research, recording and possible recognition as Protected Historic Places, such as listed buildings and scheduled monuments.
Victoria Murray, Head of Heritage Information, Recording and Business at HES, said: “With the deadline approaching, we’re asking anyone with knowledge of places connected to Scotland’s football heritage to make a submission before 20 August.
“Football is Scotland’s national sport and a key part of our history, and this project is helping us better understand the sites that are important to our football heritage. We want to hear from anyone who knows about the places that have played a part in the development of football in Scotland.
“These could be the remains of grounds themselves – such as recently scheduled Cathkin Park or the site of First Hampden – or more varied sites with football links – such as the listed Rose Reilly pub in Glasgow’s southside, where we recently updated our records to recognise the former Hampden Bar’s connection to Reilly, who is an icon of women’s football in Scotland.
“We know that there are many people right across the country who are keen to get involved in how the history and impact of football in Scotland is recorded and celebrated. This is the final opportunity to take part in the survey and help ensure these places are in the running for consideration.”
Members of the public can suggest sites they would like to be considered via the consultation page on the HES website before the survey closes on Thursday 20 August 2026.
