Tuesday January 27th 2026
Kirsty McNeill MP at a Midlothian Gala Day
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The UK is currently establishing inventories of living heritage to celebrate Scotland’s vibrant traditions and social practices.
Submissions are now open to communities across Scotland for examples of living heritage such as ceilidhs, Pancake Day and Highland Games.
Kirsty McNeill, Member of Parliament for Midlothian, is urging Midlothian’s Gala Day committee members and volunteers to submit expressions of interest so that local gala days can be considered for Scotland’s Inventory of Living Heritage.
She said: “Our gala days, festivals and children’s days are a reminder of Midlothian’s proud mining heritage and are a time when whole towns come out to a sea of bunting and the sound of fun fairs.
These are huge events, made possible by teams of dedicated volunteers who work all year round on gala day committees, and they deserve to be celebrated for the important part they play in bringing our communities together.”
Creating inventories is one of the key obligations of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which the UK joined in 2024.
Submissions can be made at livingheritage.unesco.org.uk.
The deadline for entries is Friday 27 March 2026.
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