Scotland's Archaeology Strategy

21/04/2026

Hello from the Scottish Archaeology Strategy!

We’re entering a really exciting new chapter as we begin developing the next iteration of the Strategy and welcome our new Chair, Gavin MacGregor.

Over the past ten years, the Strategy has helped bring people and organisations together to champion Scotland’s archaeological heritage, and we’re looking forward to building on that work in the years ahead.

Next week we’ll be at the CIfA Conference sharing reflections from the first decade of the Strategy and starting conversations about what comes next. We’d love for you to follow along as we share updates and highlights.

15/01/2026

Can you help a local historian locate and map other examples of historic Gaelic inscriptions on Scottish gravestones?

Read the latest blog on our website here that explains more about this interesting project 👇
https://www.scotlandschurchestrust.org.uk/blog/in-search-of-gaelic-memorials-in-scottish-graveyards/

15/11/2025

Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland 2025 is here! Download your free copy now. https://archaeologystrategy.scot/magazine/

The theme of this year’s magazine is Wellbeing. Whilst celebrating the range of activities that have taken place across the country, we are eager to showcase the physical, mental and social wellbeing benefits our shared archaeology practices can have on individuals and communities. Equally, an informed view of our past can help build a positive view of the present and future.
In this issue you will discover a range of outstanding projects where archaeology partners delivered wellbeing initiatives across the country, including working with people with dementia at Jedburgh Abbey and in the National Museum of Scotland, ‘Slow Archaeology’ around Stirling, and how archaeology can help with mental health by allowing you to ‘become the person you really are without all the baggage we carry day to day’. This issue is packed full of inspirational articles and honest views of how our shared archaeological practices actually help support people and change their lives.

If you want to dig into the latest issue of Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland or explore past issues of the magazine, then you have come to the right place!

12/11/2025

What a brilliant way to engage with research into the past!

29/10/2025

The deadline for applications for Chair of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy Committee is approaching soon! Are you interested in leading the committee as it launches Scotland’s next Archaeology Strategy in the Spring of 2026? Follow the link below to learn more about the role and how to apply.

The current chair of Scotland’s Strategic Archaeology Committee (SSAC) is due to step down in December 2025.  The SSAC is seeking a new chair to lead the committee as it launches Scotland’s next Archaeology Strategy in the Spring of 2026.

01/09/2025

01/07/2025

Scotland Digs 2025 will offer the public the chance to find out more about projects from the furthest-flung islands to deepest Fife

18/06/2025

The Skills Investment Plan team want to hear from heritage employers in Scotland. In 2023, 68% of Scotland's heritage employers anticipated skills shortages in the next five years, which had increased from 48% in 2019. Two years later the team need your help to assess the health of our skills and to identify what is needed to build effective skills provision for the sector!

Find and participate in consultations run by Historic Environment Scotland

10/06/2025

Our next blog post is up! Read about Ailsa Smith's journey through and how she has represented communities during her time on the committee.
archaeologystrategy.scot/strategy-blog/

Ailsa Smith is a volunteer archaeologist and serves on the Scottish Strategy Archaeology Committee representing community and volunteer archaeology. 

04/06/2025

We are open for submissions for Celebrating Archaeology in Scotland 2025! This is our annual magazine which seeks to showcase the value Archaeology brings to Scotland and report on the delivery of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy’s key aims. This year will be the eighth issue and like previous years will be fully digital, available for free online and in an accessible format.

We are eager to showcase the sector’s work in bringing to light the broad range of stories represented in Scottish Archaeology. We want to ensure we recognise the physical, mental, social benefits archaeology can have to individuals and communities, as well how an informed view of our past can help build a positive view of the present and future. With this in mind, the 2025 theme is wellbeing in Scottish Archaeology, and we would particularly welcome content around this topic.

We would welcome any news or stories you may have as well as information for upcoming initiatives and events from the wider archaeological community.

We have room for submissions of no more than around 300 words at the most, but we would also welcome short pieces of news or notices around 50 words in length. Submissions should have at least two high-res images to illustrate the story, and more if possible. For guidelines on your submission, including image captions, copyright, and our editing process, please refer to our notes for contributors page.

Please send your submissions to [email protected] no later than the 25th of July. We hope to launch the magazine online in late October.

17/03/2025

🎉Our latest blog is live now! Read about our Aim 4 lead and Director of Archaeology Scotland Gavin MacGregor: https://archaeologystrategy.scot/strategy-blog/