The Asia Scotland Trust was established in 2014 with the aim of nurturing the long-standing links between Scotland and Asia.  Its primary concern was the restoration of key historic buildings in Asia and developing the appropriate skills locally to preserve and maintain them. The Commonwealth Heritage Forum now continues that aim.

 

The Asia Scotland Trust was re-constituted and re-launched in 2019.  While continuing the fundamental aim of promoting the joint heritage enjoyed by Scotland and Asia, AST is equally committed to building a shared future. Our mission is to engage with creative projects that leave a social, environmental and economic impact and enable people to improve their quality of life.

It will pursue this aim by:

 

  • defining and creating interest in the surviving environmental and built heritage of Scotland in Asia
  • devising ways of making historic sites and buildings relevant in the 21st century to local communities as well as the national and international spheres
  • facilitating contacts and sharing the ideas of associated institutions in each country with wider potential spin-off
  • making publicly available the documentation and knowledge to encourage future partnerships and pooling of ideas
  • using the Trust's expertise, networks and advocacy to help ensure that projects are carried out effectively

Initially, the Asia Scotland Trust is focussing its attention on Kolkata where there is clear recognition of the deep historical links of which the Trustees have extensive experience.

 

Our guiding principles are sustainability, reciprocity and the pursuit of mutual goals that generate lasting benefit.

Giant Water Lily (Victoria Amazonica), Janardan Lake, AJC Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah, Kolkata.  Biswarup Ganguly 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported licence.

© Asia Scotland Trust 2020

The Asia Scotland Trust is a registered Scottish charity. Scottish Charity No. SCO45273. Companies House No. SC464144