More than 300 delegates attended from the fields of heritage, culture, community projects, central and local government, social science and business. Experts and commentators such as Professor Tom Devine, Gary Younge, Donnie Munro and Hamish MacDonell led discussions on the role of heritage in national identity, diversity, world perception and our own media. Discussion sessions were chaired by Muriel Gray who also expertly managed incisive contributions from delegates.

A small exhibition gave representatives from HLF funded projects across Scotland the opportunity to talk about their work and experiences, and to display the results for all to enjoy. Speakers and delegates alike were able to experience the rare opportunity of accessing the unique Gaelic dialect from the peninsula of Coigach courtesy of the Achiltibuie Piping School and to view glimpses of the past from the Scottish Screen Achieve Access Project in Glasgow. The Elphinstone Institute at the University of Aberdeen shared their work on the recording, conservation and promotion of the oral and cultural traditions of Scottish travelers; the National Trust for Scotland displayed their work on the Ben Lawers Historic Landscape project; and the Smith Art Gallery and Musuem in Stirling highlighted their programme to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the death of William Wallace.

Chair, Muriel Gray set a high standard for the day with her opening remarks and encouragement to delegates to be vocal on all matters of identity and national understanding of heritage. That national understanding of heritage was both celebrated and challenged by specially composed pieces from Fred Morrision, the national piper of the year, and a unique collaboration of traditional fishing songs from Julie Fowlis and Bani Bhattacharya reminding conference that community can transcend culture. Fred MacAulay stepped up to give the conference his own humorous take on Scotland and the day-to-day interpretation of national pride.

Presentations and panel sessions took their material from all aspects of Scottish culture and heritage, from drawing on history to offer theories on how national identity is created and influences our relationships with other countries in the UK, to how to use our heritage to move forward and set the traditions of the future. Conference participants had the opportunity to discuss mainstream interpretations of the role of heritage in society and to consider forging new pathways down which we can look to use our past to create a better future.