Celebrating Scotland’s Archives

Celebrating Scotland’s Archives

The Why Archives Matter: Heritage Memory and Identity conference on 17 April will show how archives tell the story of Scotland, provide us with a sense of identity and are essential tools in understanding and caring for the country’s rich heritage. The conference is organised by the Scottish Council on Archives and supported by the National Records of Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland and the Built Environment Forum Scotland.

16 April 2018

Why Archives Matter: Heritage, Memory and Identity is the second in a series of conferences organised by the Scottish Council on Archives to promote greater awareness of the importance and usefulness of archives to many different sectors including education, architecture, cultural heritage, archaeology and genealogical research.

John Pelan, Director of the Scottish Council of Archives said:

Archives are the documented memory of the nation. They tell our stories, enrich our lives, connect us with the past and give us a sense of identity.  Why Archives Matter will highlight some of the many ways in which archives underpin every aspect of society.”

“We can properly understand Scotland as it is today by understanding the stories of those who came before us.  Archives help keep those stories alive and give us all a real sense of what is was like to live, learn and work through the generations”.    

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs

Paul Lowe, Keeper of the Records of Scotland, said:
“Archives and records are vital and relevant to our lives, health and wellbeing and provide a unique insight into the history of people, past and present.

“National Records of Scotland preserves the primary records for understanding all aspects of the history of Scotland, its people and its government, economy and society, which can inspire and engage communities with their own heritage.”

The first session, ‘Heritage’ will show how archives inform and underpin the work of architects, academics, archaeologists and conservation professionals.  The second session, ‘Memory’ will reveal some of the many stories of individual, communities and organisations which are safely stored in the national record while also being widely shared.  This session will end with a presentation from Dr Ciaran Wallace of Trinity College Dublin and the Beyond 2022 project which involves a virtual reconstruction of the Irish Record Office destroyed in 1922 during the civil was as well as assembling a complete inventory of loss and survival.  The final session, ‘Identity’ will examine how archives contribute to our diversity and sense of identity, with particular focus on the changing demographics of Scotland, looking forward to the 2021 Census.

Full details of the conference can be found here.

CONTACT: John Pelan, Director, Scottish Council on Archives j.pelan@scottisharchives.org.uk
T: 0131 535 1367
M: 07543 220508

Notes
The Scottish Council on Archives is an advocacy and development body providing leadership and building capacity for the archives and records management sector in Scotland. We work in partnership with many organisations throughout the UK to support and promote the management and use of archives services and collections. We run a busy programme of workshops and events and deliver projects and resources spanning engagement, education and advocacy.

We support the work of professionals through the development and delivery of a variety of resources and tools covering issues such as quality improvement, accreditation, retention schedules, preservation, copyright and digital archives.

Scottish Council on Archives
Room 18, HM General Register House
2 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 3YY

Telephone: +44 (0)131 535 1362
Email: contact@scottisharchives.org.uk
www.scottisharchives.org.uk
@ScotsArchives