Treasured Places

Treasured Places was launched in September 2007 with an online public vote to find the nation's favourite archive image. Over 20,000 votes were cast via the project website www.treasuredplaces.org.uk with an RCAHMS survey drawing of the Lady Victoria Colliery in Newtongrange, Midlothian winning the coveted title.

A programme of creative education workshops was also launched in September 2007 in which RCAHMS worked with people across Scotland to explore treasured places in their local area. These workshops aimed to inspire new audiences with what archives can offer and open our imaginations to how they can be used. Led by artists, the workshops were based around a significant local place or relevant topic. The artists encouraged the participants to discover their creativity using the archive of drawings and photographs held by RCAHMS. The Treasured Places: Creative Connections nationwide touring exhibition celebrates the art works created at these workshops.

RCAHMS keystone centenary exhibition Treasured Places: 100 Years of RCAHMS was displayed at the City Art Centre, Edinburgh from 25 October 2008 to 18 January 2009. Reflecting and connecting the lives of the people of Scotland from prehistory to the present day, the exhibition celebrated the richness and variety of Scotland’s built heritage as seen through the work of RCAHMS over the last 100 years.  The Top Ten Treasured Places as chosen by the public in the online vote were also represented. The exhibition was accompanied by a highly illustrated publication, Treasured Places: A Centenary.

Virtual exhibitions of Treasured Places: 100 years of RCAHMS and Creative Connections are available through the project website www.treasuredplaces.org.uk/exhibitions