Curating ‘northernness’ in Neolithic Orkney: a contemporary monumental biography

Aesthetic and political discourses of 'northernness' shape the conservation debate around UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) such as Neolithic Orkney. This study reveals how proposals for modern developments, like wind farms, draw on historical and cultural narratives tied to Scotland's identity, while also risking compromising the site's authenticity and WHS status. The research analyzes the 2013 wind farm controversy in Orkney, demonstrating how competing visions of sustainability—environmental, community-based, and heritage-focused—were framed through enduring aesthetic and political categories. By examining archival records, policy documents, and public debates, the study exposes the tension between progress and preservation, highlighting how 'northernness' serves as both a cultural resource and a contested site in heritage management.

McClanahan, A. (2013). Curating ‘northernness’ in Neolithic Orkney: a contemporary monumental biography. Visual Studies, 28(3), 262–270. https://doi.org/10.1080/1472586x.2013.829967