Historic Environment Scotland issuing final call for football project

The scheme aims to identify and record sites that have helped shape the history of football across Scotland, with the public invited to nominate grounds, pavilions, parks, buildings and other locations with strong historical connections to the sport.

It focuses on the development of association football from the 1860s onwards, a period during which Scotland’s teams and players significantly influenced the growth and global popularity of the modern game.

Information collected through the survey could lead to sites being researched, documented, and potentially recognised as protected historic places, including listed buildings and scheduled monuments.

Terracing at Cathkin Park, site of the second Hampden (Image: Historic Environment Scotland)

Aerial view of the pitch at Cathkin Park, site of the second Hampden (Image: Historic Environment Scotland)

The category A listed stand at Gala Fairydean, designed by architect Peter Womersley (Image: Historic Environment Scotland)

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 August 20.

"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."

Submissions can be made through the consultation page on the HES website before the survey closes on Thursday, August 20.