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About Us

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) collects, records and interprets information on the architectural, industrial, archaeological and maritime heritage of Scotland. We have been doing this for more than a hundred years, and our archive offers a unique insight into the special nature of Scotland's Places.

DP010311. Detail of NW facade of former Templeton's carpet factory, Glasgow

What we do

RCAHMS is one of Scotland’s National Collections. It has a unique responsibility to gather information on the built heritage of the nation, to safeguard the resulting archive to the highest standards and to make this information as widely available as possible

DP050850. RCAHMS Commissioners 2008

Our Commissioners

The work of RCAHMS is overseen by a board comprising nine Commissioners and a Chairman who are responsible for ensuring that the conduct of RCAHMS is proper, efficient and in line with the highest standards of public service.

SC1098620. Professor Vere Gordon Childe, RCAHMS Commissioner

Our History

RCAHMS has been identifying, surveying and analysing Scotland's places for the past 100 years. Our role has changed and grown in this time, as the nation's awareness of the importance of its own past has developed.

Charity SC026749