This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Chief for RCAHMS
01/10/2004
Mrs Diana Murray takes over as Secretary (Chief
Executive) of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and
Historical Monuments of Scotland today.
Her appointment was welcomed by the Minister for
Tourism, Culture and Sport, Frank McAveety.
Mrs Murray, who was previously Curator Depute of the
National Monuments Record of Scotland at the Royal
Commission, is the first woman to hold the post in the 96
year history of the organisation. She has an MA in
Archaeology and Anthropology from Cambridge University and
has been employed by the Royal Commission since 1976. She
has lectured and published extensively on information
systems for archives and the importance of public access to
such data.
Mrs Murray was elected as a Fellow of the Society of
Antiquaries of Scotland in 1977 and of the Society of
Antiquaries of London in 1986. She was elected chair of
the Institute of Field Archaeologists, the professional
body for archaeological practice in Britain from 1995-6 and
set up the Register of Archaeological Organisations which
helps to set and maintain standards for the profession.
This is a full time permanent appointment. Mrs Murray
succeeds Mr Roger Mercer who retired at the end of
September.
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical
Monuments of Scotland is an executive NDPB funded directly
by the Scottish Executive with an annual budget of over £3
million. The main activities of the Commission are to
identify, record and interpret the sites, landscapes,
monuments and buildings of Scotland's past, promote a
greater appreciation of their value through the maintenance
of a national archive and to present them by means of
publications and exhibitions.
There is currently a touring exhibition and lecture
programme called 'Exploring Your Heritage' that is aimed at
informing and involving community groups around Scotland in
the work of RCAHMS.
Mrs Murray said:
"My aims for RCAHMS include making it more
user-friendly, developing its outreach and educational
potential and engaging in more partnerships with other
organisations. Information management is at the heart of
our business and the key to the future - and I am very
ambitious for the role RCAHMS can play in Scotland's
cultural heritage".