A special birthday for aerial survey
This year celebrates the 30th anniversary of aerial survey at RCAHMS. These 30 years of flying have produced more than 100,000 images of archaeological, architectural and industrial sites across Scotland. During this time conventional film has given way to digital imaging and visual emphasis has shifted from black and white photography to a greater use of colour. The survey programme itself has also changed its focus, with the previous concentration on summer flying and cropmark recording evolving into a more extended flying season with the purpose of recording all aspects of the built heritage.
This work is creating a growing archive of aerial photographic information covering Scotland’s built heritage from prehistory up to the 21st century. It is complemented by large collections of aerial photography, inherited principally from the RAF, which show Scotland from the air as far back as 1939. When set alongside contemporary images, these historic images help document the dramatic changes in Scotland's landscape, sites and buildings over the last 70 years.
A new exhibition showcasing some of RCAHMS aerial photography has been created to mark the anniversary and will be travelling throughout Scotland in the coming months. Entitled 'Life on the Edge' the exhibition features 12 stunning images from our collection, each illustrating the inter-relationship between people and their environment in a range of Scottish coastal settings.
Dates and venues confirmed thus far are:
- 14 Oct to 27 Oct 2006.
Tain Library, Ross-shire - 30 Oct to 30 Nov 2006.
Holyrood Park Lodge, Edinburgh
If you are interested in housing the exhibition please contact: katja.linssen@rcahms.gov.uk or phone 0131-662 1456