Links to external websites
Learned Societies and National Academies
National Organisations
Government National Institutions
Search Tools
Societies, Trusts and Other Organisations
Learned Societies and National Academies
Society of Antiquaries of London
The Society of Antiquaries of London is a charitable organization, founded by Royal Charter in 1751 and charged with, 'the encouragement, advancement and furtherance of the study and knowledge of the antiquities and history of this and other countries'.
The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland
The Society was founded in 1849 in Kilkenny, 'to preserve, examine and illustrate all ancient monuments and memorials of the arts, manners and customs of the past, as connected with the antiquities, language, literature and history of Ireland.'
The Cambrian Archaeological Association
The CAA is one of the oldest societies in Wales and the Marches devoted to the study of the history and archaeology of the Principality. Membership is open to all who have an interest in the past of Wales and the Marches - and in the future of that past.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh
The RSE is Scotland's National Academy, established on the same day in 1783 as the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Both Society's shared premises on the Mound and at the present RSE accommodation on George Street. The Society has been using the RSE premises for its lectures and other events since the closure of the NMS lecture theatre for the Royal Museum Project.
The British Academy
The British Academy, established by Royal Charter in 1902, is the national academy for the humanities and the social sciences. It is an independent, self-governing fellowship of more than 800 scholars, elected for distinction and achievement in one or more branches of the academic disciplines that make up the humanities and social sciences.
National Organisations
Archaeology Scotland (Council for Scottish Archaeology)
Archaeology Scotland is an independent, membership organisation which works to secure the archaeological heritage of Scotland for its people through education, promotion and support. CSA brings together those for whom archaeology is an interest, an active pastime or a career. It supports local archaeological action and initiatives and offers a comprehensive information service.
Built Environment Forum Scotland
The BEFS brings together voluntary and professional bodies in the built environment sector. Through collaborative action, they influence and promote relevant issues to policy-makers and decision-makers. Their website provides a Forum for discussion and a voice for their membership. Their aim is to improve the condition and quality of Scotland's places for everyone.
Council for British Archaeology
The CBA is the principal UK-wide non-governmental organisation that promotes knowledge, appreciation and care of the historic environment for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Northern Ireland Archaeology Forum
Established to facilitate individuals and organisations to protect, study and promote the historic environment in Northern Ireland.
The IfA
The Institute for Archaeologists advances the practice of archaeology and allied disciplines by promoting professional standards and ethics for conserving, managing, understanding and promoting enjoyment of heritage. Their website contains valuable information for archaeologists, students and purchasers of historic environment services.
The National Trust for Scotland
The NTS is the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to enjoy.
The National Committee for Carved Stones in Scotland
The NCCSS is an independent body formed in 1993 to co-ordinate responses to the threats of damage and destruction faced by Scotland's carved stones from the weather and other natural and human causes. The NCCSS aims to raise awareness of the threats to Scottish carved stones of all periods, to promote their understanding and appreciation, and to encourage a common approach to their recording, publication and preservation.
Government National Institutions
National Museums Scotland
The National Museums Scotland show Scotland to the World and the World to Scotland through extensive collections built up over more than two centuries. Displays of the collections can be seen at six sites, and research collections which contribute to our knowledge of the human and natural world are available for study.
Historic Scotland
The Historic Scotland are the Government Agency responsible for safeguarding Scotland's historic environment and promoting its understanding and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Their website contains comprehensive information about Scotland's built heritage and major historic visitor attractions.
The National Archives of Scotland
Their mission is to select, preserve, and make available the national archives of Scotland in whatever medium, to the highest standards; to promote the growth and maintenance of proper archive provision throughout the country; and to lead the development of archival practice in Scotland.
Historic Environment Advisory Council for Scotland
HEACS is the advisory Non-Departmental Public Body which provides Scottish Ministers with strategic advice on issues affecting the historic environment. HEACS was established in 2003 under the Public Appointments & Public Bodies etc (Scotland) Act 2003.
RCAHMS
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland records and interprets the sites, monuments and buildings of Scotland's past, promotes a greater appreciation of their value through the maintenance of the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS) and presents them by means of publications and exhibitions.
Treasure Trove in Scotland
This site provides information on all aspects of how finds of archaeological and historical significance in Scotland are recorded and protected.
Search Tools
Pastmap
A map enabled query system developed by the RCAHMS and HS in collaboration with Local Authority archaeologists for searching the Scottish National Archaeological and Architectural Datasets.
Canmore
The original query system developed by RCAHMS allowing you to search the National Archaeological dataset.
Societies, Trusts and Other Organisations
Scottish History Society
Founded in 1886 the Scottish History Society is the leading publisher of manuscript sources relating to the history of Scotland. Volumes cover all periods from the twelfth to the twentieth centuries and a very wide range of topics - social, economic, legal, political, constitutional, diplomatic, military and religious history, as well as farming, gardening and the joys of good housekeeping! In addition to making available sources vital to the study and writing of Scottish history, most volumes have substantial introductions by the editors. The volumes are thus not only of value to professional historians and teachers of history, but to all who take an interest in Scotland's past.
Scottish Church Heritage Research Ltd
Scottish Church Heritage Research (SCHR) is a voluntary co-ordinating body, comprising individuals from various professions, faiths and backgrounds. They share an interest in bringing to a wider public an understanding of all the places and buildings that have been used as places of worship in Scotland, regardless of faith, denomination or present condition.
Historic Rural Settlement Group
The Historic Rural Settlement Group exists to provide a forum for discussion on the understanding, conservation and management of historic rural settlement in Scotland.
The SCAPE Trust
SCAPE (Scottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problem of Erosion) is a charity that seeks to research, conserve and promote the archaeology of Scotland's coast. SCAPE is especially interested in remains that are threatened by coastal erosion. SCAPE run the Shorewatch Project.
Radiocarbon Dating Lab Beta Analytic
Founded in 1979, ISO 17025-accredited Beta Analytic is the world's largest professional radiocarbon dating lab. The company provides radiometric and AMS dating through its headquarters in Miami, Florida, and offices in the UK (London), Australia, Brazil, China, India, and Japan.
SUERC (Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre)
A collaborative facility operated jointly under a Consortium agreement between the University of Glasgow and Edinburgh University. We also host five Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Facilities that are available to UK scientists through competitive application to the relevant Steering Committees. The SUERC Accelerator Mass Spectrometer Laboratory is recognised by NERC as a suitable facility to undertake NERC-funded science.
Scottish Language Dictionaries
The nation's resource for the Scots language. We research Scots texts from all periods of history, and record and analyse the language as it is spoken and written throughout Scotland today. From this research we compile and maintain authoritative dictionaries of Scots, including the great historical dictionaries, A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue and the Scottish National Dictionary, the scholarly single volume Concise Scots Dictionary and the handy Essential Scots Dictionary.
The Galloway Picts Project
Ancient chronicles talk about the Picts of Galloway, a wild fierce people from the Dark Ages. While historians nowadays seem convinced that there were never Picts in Galloway, there is one place in south-west Scotland where apparently incontrovertible evidence for Picts survives. Trusty's Hill is a vitrified fort, conspicuous amongst the many ancient hillforts of Galloway for its Pictish Symbol Stone. The Pictish Symbols at Trusty's Hill probably date to a period in the first millennium AD when south-west Scotland was inhabited by people usually perceived to be Britons, not Picts. So what is this Pictish Symbol Stone doing in Galloway? This is what the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society would like to know. This is what the Galloway Picts Project aims to find out.
