New Canmore
11 March 2009
RCAHMS searchable online database Canmore is a window to Scotland’s places and is now clearer and simpler to use than ever before.
From images and information on some of the nation’s most iconic buildings to the remains of ancient settlements, or even your own house, Canmore offers you a unique photographic, archaeological and architectural resource.
Historical photographs from as far back as the mid nineteenth century, and drawings and paintings dating back to the 1600s can be viewed alongside contemporary images, providing a remarkable illustration of the changes to Scotland’s built environment. Canmore also supplies historical, archaeological and architectural information as well as an index of our extensive collection of photographs, drawings and reference books to aid further research.
Information is available on more than 275,000 individual sites, and there are over 100,000 digital images of places from all over Scotland currently online. These numbers are growing daily as more material is added from RCAHMS archive of 14.5 million items.
The new version of Canmore launches as part of RCAHMS new website, with both sharing a common design. With no need for registration, a quick search of Canmore is now available on every page, and an advanced search option allows you to refine your browsing by specifying everything from site types and locations to selecting online material only. Every image featured on the website acts as a link through to a specific site in Canmore, providing a slideshow of other digital images as well as specific information. Individual sites in Canmore are also now accessible to search engines.
Further Canmore developments are being prepared, and from May, you will be able to make your own contributions to the database – a first for any Scottish national collection – including adding text and images through Flickr. You will also be able to customise Canmore to reflect your own requirements with a new ‘myCanmore’ facility, set up RSS feeds and link into social networking sites.
From April 2009 all images on Canmore and the RCAHMS website will be available for purchase online.
We value the opinions of our users and have already made a number of changes to both sites in response to user feedback. Please help us continue to improve our service by using our simple online user survey.