Dig It! 2017 has launched a new bucket list challenge featuring Scotland’s six magnificent World Heritage Sites for travellers and tourists in and around the UK, as well as across the world, according to a release by VisitScotland.

The United Nations has recognised the six Scottish heritage sites as unique examples of the world’s cultural heritage. Covering over 5,000 years of history, Scotland’s sites range from a mysterious group of Neolithic monuments in Orkney to a scenic cotton mill village in Lanark.

The Bucket List was created by Dig It! 2017 with support from Historic Environment Scotland and EventScotland. The challenge, issued as part of the Scotland in Six series of events running on World Heritage Day – April 18, 2017, is expected to encourage tourists from home and abroad to discover some of Scotland’s finest attractions.

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: ‘With over one third of visitors drawn to Scotland for its history and culture, the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 is an exciting opportunity to relive Scotland’s fascinating past.

‘Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites are truly iconic attractions, drawing thousands of visitors from around the globe every year. We are sure this Bucket List challenge, and the other fantastic events planned to celebrate World Heritage Day, will encourage even more visitors to experience the wonders of our World Heritage Sites.’

Dr Rebecca Jones, Head of the Archaeology and World Heritage Team at Historic Environment Scotland, said: ‘A lot of bucket list challenges are long and unwieldy and arguably pretty difficult to achieve, but the great thing about putting Scotland’s six World Heritage sites on your bucket list is that experiencing them all is perfectly possible – and indeed advisable!

‘Each of these iconic sites has something different to offer, from the stunning prehistoric monuments of ancient Orkney to the meticulously built 2,000 year old Roman frontier of the Antonine Wall; from the social impact of New Lanark, one of the largest industrial sites in the world, to the Forth Bridge, an internationally renowned feat of engineering. Ticking off the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s iconic Old and New Towns before braving the journey across the sea to the now-uninhabited island beauty of St Kilda is enough to take your breath away.

‘We hope Dig It! 2017’s Bucket List will encourage more people than ever before to travel to Scotland’s incredible World Heritage Sites in the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.’

Explore the Dig It! 2017 Bucket List and learn more about Scotland’s six sites, at: DigIt2017.com/WorldHeritageSites