Our resources are accessed by a wide variety of professional users, who regularly consult us in person or via the internet, telephone or letter.

View of Advocate’s Close,
Edinburgh. From James
Drummond’s ‘Old
Edinburgh’, 1852.
SC460291

Gladstone's Land,
Edinburgh. SC426588

They range from archaeologists and architects researching a site or monument, to academics engaged in research for a publication. RCAHMS is regularly represented at local, national and international conferences and study days, with staff organising events or taking part as lecturers and guides. Find out how to use us and find out what is held in our collections.

A number of our professional users responded to our recent user questionnaire, Inspiring Learning for All, with the following comments:

'The fact that there exists a well organised set of invaluable photographs available to the public and professionals is of great value.'

'I am now aware that it is not impossible to track down drawings of properties, and also have them copied into an up to date format (you could say a one stop shop).'

'Historical records are an invaluable resource for making informed decisions.'

'In the past I have used NMRS for undergrad and post-grad research. I now use RCAHMS resources for professional purposes.'

'[RCAHMS] allows me to research and write reports on existing and potential archaeology for specific sites throughout Scotland.'

RCAHMS staff regularly take part in or lead professional seminars and site visits which promote the educational development of fellow professionals. The following are recent examples where staff took part in events that proved mutually beneficial to a variety of professional organisations.

Conservation Accreditation Scheme
In October 2003, Geoffrey Stell gave a presentation at Edinburgh College of Art about 'Sources and Surveys' as part of a two day seminar relating to conservation accreditation schemes in the UK. The second day of this course included a visit to RCAHMS. The accreditation scheme aims to ensure that professionals engaged in the conservation of our built heritage possess appropriate skills and experience, and to establish shared descriptions of competence between professionals.

Gladstone's Land Joint Study Day
This event took place in April 2004, as a collaboration between RCAHMS, The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS), and The National Trust for Scotland (NTS). It was designed to create an 'opportunity to understand, examine, explore and investigate one of Scotland's finest early tenements'.

Gladstone's Land, completed in 1620, is situated in an area known as The Lawnmarket, on Edinburgh's historic 'Royal Mile'. It is presented to the public by The National Trust for Scotland, allowing the visitor a glimpse of 17th century life in this busy city. This fine six-storeyed building is notable for its surviving painted ceilings.

RCAHMS staff who spoke at the event included Geoffrey Stell, who presented a talk entitled 'Putting Gladstone's Land on Record', and Simon Green, whose lecture was entitled 'The Restoration History, from the Trust's acquisition until the present day'.

The afternoon saw guided tours of the property, one of which 'The Restorations of Gladstone's Land' was also led by Simon Green. Further lectures were delivered by speakers from the various organisations involved.