Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is committed to making its websites and mobile applications as accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This accessibility statement applies to Historic Environments Scotland’s Stor website, available at https://stor.scot/
Feedback and contact information
If you have feedback about the website or if you need information found within the website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille:
- Email: shop@hes.scot
- Telephone: +44 (0)131 668 8893
We will consider your request and get back to you in 10 working days.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that are not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact:
- Email: shop@hes.scot
- Telephone: +44 (0)131 668 8893
Enforcement Procedure
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) through their website at https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com
Compliance Status
The website has been tested against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard.
This website site is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.
Non-accessible Content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
Language
Some product names and descriptive terms may include Scots Gaelic. Where Gaelic words appear, they are not always marked with the appropriate language attribute, which can affect correct pronunciation by screen readers. We will ensure that any Gaelic text used in page headings, product names or descriptive content is marked with the correct language attribute.
Search filters
The search and product filtering controls visually present as checkboxes, but assistive technologies do not receive the correct semantic information. Screen readers announce these items as links rather than checkboxes, and changes in selected or unselected state are not conveyed programmatically. Selecting a filter option triggers a full page refresh, returning focus to the top of the page and requiring users to re-navigate to the filtering area. This makes it difficult for keyboard and screen reader users to refine results or apply more than one filter at a time. We will work to improve the semantic structure, state indication and interaction behaviour of filtering controls within the constraints of the Shopify platform.
Colours
Some headings and body text displayed over photographic or visually complex backgrounds do not meet minimum colour contrast requirements. In these areas, the semi‑transparent overlays used behind text are not sufficient to ensure readable contrast, which affects compliance with WCAG 2.2 success criteria 1.4.3 (Contrast Minimum) and 1.4.11 (Non‑text Contrast). We will revise overlay styling and ensure that text placed over images meets the required contrast ratios.
Programmatic associations and code robustness
There are instances of duplicate ID attributes within the site’s markup, including duplicate values used inside repeated SVG icons. Duplicate IDs can interfere with how assistive technologies interpret accessible names and relationships and can affect compliance with WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1.2 (Name, Role, Value). We will review the site’s codebase to ensure all identifiers are unique and that ARIA and other programmatic relationships are implemented reliably.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
Pre-recorded video (created before 23 September 2020)
Our videos created before 23 September 2020 might not have complete or accurate closed captions, alternative text, audio descriptions or transcripts that describe the events and content of the video in text format. We don’t plan to add these alternatives because pre-recorded video from before 23 September 2020 are exempt under Regulation 4(2)(b) of the accessibility regulations.
Disproportionate burden
We are not claiming that any of our accessibility issues are disproportionate to fix.
How the website was tested
The website was assessed using a combination of manual and assistive technology testing. This included checks for keyboard navigation, focus visibility and order, magnification and reflow, page layout behaviour on mobile devices, form interaction, and product filtering functionality. Testing also included screen reader checks using NVDA with Firefox and Chrome, and VoiceOver with Safari on macOS and iOS. Automated tools such as ARC Toolkit, AXE and WAVE were used to support manual testing and highlight structural or programmatic issues.
Next steps and roadmap
As a result of the audit, we will review and prioritise remediation work for our website’s issues. Development work will be commissioned, and high priority issues will be resolved by the end of 2026. Lower priority issues will be addressed before the site’s next audit which will be conducted by an organisation external to Historic Environment Scotland.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 21 July 2025.
It was last reviewed on 18 March 2026. This statement will be reviewed again by 30 07 2027.
This website was last tested on 17 July 2025. The tests were carried by Historic Environment Scotland’s Digital Accessibility Lead.