Future RCAHMS

3 February 2010

A short, sharp business plan published this month sets out RCAHMS strategy for the next five years and highlights the distinct contribution that RCAHMS makes to the delivery of government objectives.

Maximising the potential of the leading web-technology that has been developed by RCAHMS – to widen digital access to information on Scotland’s places and make it an integral part of the worldwide network of cultural heritage data – is a number one priority.

The plan also sets out how RCAHMS will leverage partnerships to celebrate Scotland’s national identity and the historic, built and natural environment.

RCAHMS expertise in digital archiving means it is well placed to help national and local bodies improve online access to their archives – through the likes of “scran in a box” technology –  for learning and leisure.

In particular, the plan outlines how RCAHMS can be the catalyst through which innovative partnership projects, especially those relating to information technology and geographic data, can be achieved for government. Running parallel to this, RCAHMS will continue to update its national collection through field investigation and expert research and work with and provide training and advice to local communities to help them understand and even make records of Scotland’s built and historic environment.

Looking ahead, RCAHMS plans to establish a new name and identity that reflects the ways in which it connects people to places across time and which clarifies its distinctive role as the first port of call for anyone wanting to find out about Scotland’s places.

Read the full plan here.