Guardianship of Sacred Spaces in Scotland and Wales: How Ancient and Christian Landscapes Interrelate

Abstract

When two spiritualities engage with the same space it can be difficult to know who should be responsible for that space. This is seen even with sacred spaces that are shared by similar spiritual identities, such as the Holy Sepulchre, yet it can create contention when the spiritualities are believed to be opposites. It can be further conflated when outside secular entities involve themselves with the care, management, and potential commodification of the site. This research investigates four sacred sites, two in Scotland and two in Wales, that have active Christian churches upon them while also embodying ancient sacredness through stone circles or yew trees. The purpose of this research is to investigate how those that engage with these sites (church members and pagan community) view their shared landscape. It further researches how the community perceives the non-sacred agencies that claim rights to the landscape, such Historic Environment Scotland and Cadw.