The awards, which acknowledge and celebrate the valuable contributions made to Scotland’s historic environment by volunteers, called Heritage Angels, are now inviting entries from community groups and individuals.

Volunteers have from now until June 30 to enter for an Angel Award.

Funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, the awards – the first of their kind in Scotland – will celebrate the significant role that is carried out by volunteers in helping to better understand, appreciate and protect Scotland’s heritage and history for current and future generations.

This initiative will also support the delivery of the Historic Environment Strategy for Scotland – Our Place in Time, which places a strong focus on community participation and engagement in heritage.

Entries are being welcomed from volunteers, individuals and groups, involved in heritage projects of all scales, spanning the length and breadth of Scotland People will also have the opportunity to nominate an individual in recognition of their on-going commitment and dedication for the benefit of the wider historic environment.

The five Scottish Heritage Angel Awards categories are - Investigating and Recording Caring and Protecting Sharing and Celebrating Capacity Building Lifetime Contribution to the Historic Environment Entries for the Angel Awards will be judged by a panel of experts from within the heritage sector before a shortlist is put before the judges, who will choose an overall winner from each category.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose charity, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, established the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards in 2014, said: “I am delighted that the efforts of individuals and communities in Scotland working to preserve their heritage are to be recognised through these awards. I am passionate about saving heritage at risk and salute all those who volunteer – I urge you to come forward and let us celebrate your achievements.” Shortlisted entrants from across the country will be invited to the first Scottish Heritage Angel Awards in a ceremony announcing the winners of each Angel Award category. The inaugural ceremony will take place in Edinburgh, on Monday September 28.

The Scottish Heritage Angel Awards are being delivered in a partnership between the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, the Scottish Government, Historic Scotland, The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, Scottish Civic Trust and Archaeology Scotland.

Applications for the inaugural 2015 Scottish Heritage Angel Awards are now open - call 0141 221 1466 for information.