RCAHMS Review Update - May

Update from RCAHMS Chief Executive Diana Murray

The current Options Appraisal of RCAHMS by Historic Scotland is looking at three different options to ensure a stable and sustainable future for our work. We believe that this provides a rare opportunity for RCAHMS to consolidate its firm foundation as an internationally-recognised and respected National Collection that connects people across the world to places in Scotland.

The three options are: a reconstituted Non Departmental Public Body operating as a National Collection, a merger with Historic Scotland, and the status quo.

The first option would involve legislation to modernise our governance, clarify our existing status as a National Collection, and consolidate our relationship to Ministers. The second option would see an integration of our functions into Historic Scotland, who are an executive agency of the Scottish Government.

Over many years RCAHMS has established a National Collection. Our field investigation on the ground and from the air, as well as our in-house research, feeds into a unique and much valued Scottish resource of world class quality. We are actively engaging a global community with a passionate interest in Scotland’s archaeological, architectural, maritime and industrial heritage, as well as having many users of our international holdings.

We have a key role to play in preserving the long term collective memory for Scottish identity and in creating cultural resources for professional, academic and educational use, lifelong learning and general public access. Beyond Scotland, our resources are actively used by people in over 200 countries worldwide, raising Scotland’s cultural profile around the world and bringing income into Scotland.

As the review moves towards a conclusion over the next month or so, the difficult decisions will be around how best to build upon what we have already achieved and sustain it into the future.