Scottish blue plaque panel announced

From Historic Scotland (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk):

EXPERT PANEL ANNOUNCED FOR COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE SCHEME

Historic Scotland has confirmed the membership of the independent panel of experts who will choose the recipients? winners of the Commemorative Plaque Scheme for 2012.

The experts will assess all the nominations submitted before the 12th October deadline and will decide on a maximum of 12 plaques which will be awarded to significant historic figures in Scotland.

The annual Scheme, launched in August by Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop will recognise the contribution of recipients to Scottish society through the erection of a plaque on their home where they lived, or the building that was particularly synonymous with their achievements.

The Scheme will have an annual theme. This year’s theme will mark the contribution of figures from the arts and creative fields to coincide with the Year of Creative Scotland 2012.

The panel’s membership represents a broad cross-section of expertise and disciplines who are well placed to decide on the worthy recipients of the Commemorative Plaque Scheme. A new membership panel of experts will be selected each year in order to reflect the annual theme

The panel will consist of:

• Jim Tough, Executive Director, The Saltire Society.
• Professor Seona Reid, Director, Glasgow School of Art
• Dr Fiona Watson, Historian/Broadcaster, Dundee University
• Professor Graham Caie, Vice President, The Royal Society of Edinburgh
• Dr Jenny Wormald, Historian, University of Edinburgh
• Dr Gary West, Historian/Musician/Broadcaster, Senior Lecturer in Scottish Ethnology and Scottish Historical Studies

Fiona Hyslop said: “I am pleased that we have such an esteemed panel of experts to assess the applications for the Commemorative Plaque Scheme.

“The plaques will celebrate the lives of the people who have made an important contribution to Scotland’s fascinating history and heritage. I am sure that the expert panel will have a challenging task on their hands considering Scotland has a wealth of creative talent in a wide range of disciplines.”

Nominations for the Commemorative Plaques for 2012 have closed.

(With thanks to Paul Spence at Historic Scotland)

Chris

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