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".