Scottish Council on Archives

20/10/2026

Bookings close in one week for our Annual Conference: Archives & Records at the Heart of Society!

With a jam-packed, inspiring programme, opportunities to network with your peers and a visit to the Heart of Midlothian Museum, we’d love to see anyone working, volunteering or interested in the sector there.

Book your place via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sca-annual-conference-2026-archives-records-at-the-heart-of-society-tickets-1997681042775

19/10/2026

SCA Sector Survey 2026: 2 week deadline extension

Every response is important so we have decided to extend the deadline to complete the sector survey. We've had a great response so far but we realise some services might need that extra time to respond.

Complete the survey via: https://www.scottisharchives.org.uk/explore/sector-survey-2026/

16/10/2026

The final session of our conference will explore Creativity and New Life for Collections!

The inspiring talks for this session are:

• From Evidence to Wonder: Astronomical Archives and the Cultural Life of Scientific Records explores how Scotland’s astronomical archives do more than just preserve scientific evidence.

• Agnes Owens: reasserting a marginal voice through archival practice exemplifies how an archive can act as creative infrastructure that can generate new interest in overlooked areas of literature.

• Tradition and Transformation: The School of Scottish Studies Archivesas a wellspring of creativity will show how their collection has been used, transformed and adapted.

Sound good? Then book your tickets now as there's not much time left: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sca-annual-conference-2026-archives-records-at-the-heart-of-society-tickets-1997681042775

15/10/2026

The SCA Sector Survey 2026 closes tomorrow! ⏰

Your to-do list:
☐ Head to the SCA website
☐ Take 30 minutes to complete the SCA Sector Survey 2026
☐ Feel great about supporting a nationwide collective effort to evidence the state of the Scottish archives sector

Every response helps us build a stronger, more accurate picture of the challenges, opportunities and needs across Scotland’s archives and records community. That evidence is vital for advocacy, funding and planning, and it only works if we hear from as many of you as possible.

If you’re finding it tricky to complete in time, get in touch.

Complete the survey via: https://www.scottisharchives.org.uk/explore/sector-survey-2026/

15/10/2026

Onto session 2 of our conference, which will explore Communities and Belonging!

Coming from different angles, our speakers will cover the following talks:

• Digital Archives at the Heart of Communities will cover the importance of collaboration when it comes to digital preservation and supporting communities through DPC's projects.

• Recovering the Hidden History of Table Tennis in Edinburgh: Community Archives, Belonging and Wellbeing highlights some of the most interesting histories of our communities survive not in institutions but in private collections and people’s memories.

• Oor Ain Film Archive: Preserving People's Film explores what it means for an archive to be of and for its community while keeping community film true to its origin and intention.

Want to hear them? Book your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sca-annual-conference-2026-archives-records-at-the-heart-of-society-tickets-1997681042775

14/10/2026

The first session of our conference will explore Trust, Evidence and Justice!

We have a range of brilliant speakers lined up for the following talks:

• Why archives matter more in the age of AI, plus practical AI tips will explore the value of authenticity and archives, with their verifiable, provenanced records.

• Acts in the Archives will hear from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and cover information about the court archive collection and the research process and the impact of this work.

• Whose Records, Whose Truth? will show how recordkeepers can partner with victim-survivors, advocates and other professionals to develop person-centred practices that support accountability, transparency and justice.

Get to hear these talks by booking a ticket at our conference: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sca-annual-conference-2026-archives-records-at-the-heart-of-society-tickets-1997681042775

14/10/2026

Want an opportunity to showcase your organisation or project to a diverse group of delegates?

Then submit a poster or video to be displayed at this year's Scotland’s Community Heritage Conversations 2026: Sharing our Strengths.

Find out more and submit via: https://www.scottisharchives.org.uk/latest/call-for-digital-posters-scotlands-community-heritage-conversations-2026/

13/10/2026

Join us later this month for our upcoming session TNA National Loans Programme and Archive Loans 101 in Scotland

Come along to learn more about the new National Loans Programme pilot from The National Archives and basics for borrowing from their collection.

Book your free space:

Join TNA and SCA for a webinar on the new National Loans Programme and information on archive loans specifically for the Scottish sector.

13/10/2026

Need another reason to attend our conference?

Attendees will have access to visit the Heart of Midlothian Museum! The welcoming museum is run by a team of volunteer historians and tells the story of the history of the club through its collection. Hearts Heritage

Not long left, book your ticket now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sca-annual-conference-2026-archives-records-at-the-heart-of-society-tickets-1997681042775

12/10/2026

The SCA Sector Survey 2026 is closing this week and we need you to fill it in!

Completing this roughly 30-minute survey will give the SCA the robust data it needs to advocate for a National Strategy and greater, more sustainable funding for Scotland’s archives and records sector, so every Scottish service is urged to respond.

Find out more and complete the survey: https://www.scottisharchives.org.uk/explore/sector-survey-2026/