NLS launches 1930s Land Utilisation Survey maps

From the National Library of Scotland (www.nls.uk):

New map viewer compares Scottish land use in 1930s with today

This new viewer is a collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland, and allows 1930s Land Utilisation Survey maps to be compared to the 2015 Historic Land Use Assessment Layer (HLA). The link is http://maps.nls.uk/series/land-utilisation-survey/index.html

The HLA layer has been deliberately coloured to closely match the six main categories of the 1930s Land Utilisation Survey and shows striking changes in Scotland's land use during the 20th century, including afforestation and expanding urban areas. At the local level, you can see new reservoirs, roads, and significant changes to patterns of farming.

View the land-use comparison viewer. http://maps.nls.uk/projects/landuse/


In other NLS news, the Scotland on Film website has also been updated at https://scotlandonscreen.org.uk.

Screen website has re-launched with improved capabilities. This educational website, built in partnership with Education Scotland and Creative Scotland, can now be viewed on all platforms including tablets and smartphones.

Containing hundreds of free-to-watch short films and clips from our Moving Image Archive, the website also has guidance on how to use archive film in school projects and lessons.

Finally, the new NLS blog is now up and running at http://blog.nls.uk.

(With thanks to the NLS)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. My Pinterest account is at https://www.pinterest.com/chrismpaton/.

Update on Historic Scotland/RCAHMS merger

From Historic Environment Scotland, the new organisation being created by the merger of Historic Scotland and RCAHMS:

Historic Environment Scotland Board Progress

Since its establishment in February, the HES Board, led by Jane Ryder OBE, is making good progress with the creation of the new organisation. The Board has been focussing on what is essential for 1st October when HES takes full powers, including all staff being transferred to the single body, agreeing the governance framework with the Scottish Government, the introduction of new regulations for heritage management, and the signing-off of the scheme of delegation which will establish how HES will manage the Properties in Care on behalf of Scottish Ministers.

Strategic priorities for the new organisation include establishing a new organisational identity and the development of the new corporate plan 2016-19 which will be open to public consultation later in the year.

Some of you may be aware of the recent recruitment campaign for the role of Chief Executive. Whilst we are disappointed not to be able to make a permanent appointment at this stage, this will not have any adverse impact on our plans for the new organisation. We are now looking to appoint an interim CEO who will work with the Board through this transition period and beyond, whilst also looking to secure a long term appointment, to be part of this exciting new chapter for the heritage sector.

Further details on progress will be accessible at http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/historicenvironmentscotland.htm.

(With thanks to the Historic Scotland and RCAHMS joint newsletter)

Chris

For details on my genealogy guide books, including my recently released Discover Irish Land Records and Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.

Scotland's CANMORE database relaunched

The online catalogue of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, entitled CANMORE, has been relaunched at http://canmore.org.uk. The database contains a wealth of information on archaeology, buildings, industrial and maritime heritage.

Meanwhile, the latest Historic Scotland and RCAHMS joint newsletter has confirmed that the date on which its replacement body, Historic Environment Scotland, will take effect is October 1st 2015.

Further developments from the HES can be followed at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/historicenvironmentscotland.htm.

Chris

The latest British GENES podcast is available at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/podcasts.html. For details on my latest book Down and Out in Scotland: Researching Ancestral Crisis, and my other genealogy guide books, please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html.

Historic Environment Scotland Board Announced

From Historic Scotland and RCAMHS:

Historic Environment Scotland Board Announced

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop has announced the first Chair and board members of Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

Jane Ryder OBE, former Chief Executive of the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator and Chair of Arts & Business Scotland, will become the first chair of the HES board. She has been appointed for four years and will be joined by nine board members.

• Dr Janet Brennan is Chair of the Scottish Castles Association, conservationist and author.
• Alan Clarke has over 40 years’ experience in tourism, leisure and marketing and retired in September 2014 as CEO of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
• Trudi Craggs is qualified as a solicitor in Scotland and is a partner in CMS Cameron McKenna LLP.
• Professor David Gaimster is Director of The Hunterian at the University of Glasgow.
• Andrew Holmes qualified as a civil engineer and has worked in a variety of public sector posts dealing with planning, technical and property issues, retiring as Director of City Development for Edinburgh City Council in 2008.
• Dr Coinneach Maclean trained as an archaeologist and was Deputy Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland.
• Dr Fiona McLean is Vice Chair of the Board of Governors for the University of the Highlands and Islands.
• Dr Paul Stollard is an architect who has specialised in the fire safety of buildings for over 30 years. He has taught architectural design and history in a number of universities.
• Dr Ken Thomson took up his role as Principal of Forth Valley College in August 2013 following six years as Depute Principal.

Ms Hyslop said: “Jane brings with her immense experience in setting up a new body from her time with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and in-depth knowledge of Scotland’s museum and historical assets. The new board contains the breadth and strength of the skills and knowledge required to make the most of Scotland’s rich heritage.

“The appointment of the Board is a major milestone in the creation of the new public body to lead on the delivery of Our Place in Time, Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment.

“As well as delivering on our commitment to public service reform by creating a single public body for Scotland’s historic environment, I am pleased that for the first time all of the work carried out by the bodies will be set within a single strategic framework.

“I have been really impressed by the efforts of the staff in both organisations in getting us to this point in the journey, and I very much look forward to working with Jane and the new board to take forward this exciting and ambitious agenda.”

The new Chair, Jane Ryder, said: “It is a huge privilege to be the first chair of Historic Environment Scotland. The opportunities identified by Our Place in Time and its shared vision, the expectations placed on HES and the skill and enthusiasm of the staff who will come together to form that body all add up to an exciting time for the historic environment.

“I look forward to working with my fellow board members and the excellent staff of the two existing bodies to make the ambitious vision set out in Our Place in Time a reality.”

The new Board will start its work on 1st April and be given all its powers on 1st October 2015. Full details about the appointments can be found on the Scottish Government website at http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Historic-Environment-Scotland-Board-1507.aspx.

Chris

For details on my range of genealogy guide books please visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html. To commission me for genealogical research, please visit my research site at www.scotlandsgreateststory.co.uk.

Historic Environment Scotland will replace RCAMHS and Historic Scotland

The new merged body to replace the Royal Commission for the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAMHS) and Historic Scotland will be called Historic Environment Scotland. The latest details for the merger are available via the two organisations' joint newsletter at http://rcahms.cmph.org/o/bRYMgEgqU9g, along with details of Heritage Lottery Funding for the new Scotland's Urban Past five year project from RCAMHS.

(With thanks to RCAMHS/Historic Scotland)

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And FindmyPast - please reinstate the original Scottish census citations on your new site.