The Highland Archive Service has once again been recognised as one of the very best in the country, earning reaccreditation from the National Records of Scotland and the Scottish Council on Archives.
As part of High Life Highland, the service has met the UK’s gold standard for archives, which looks at how records are collected, preserved and shared so they can be accessed for generations to come.
Particular praise was given for its progress in digital preservation, making records more widely accessible and ensuring they remain protected far into the future.
Since its creation in 1990, the Highland Archive Service has been a guardian of the region’s history, with centres in Inverness, Portree, Fort William and Wick, where Nucleus, The Nuclear and Caithness Archives, holds its own separate accreditation.
John West, Director of Culture and Learning at High Life Highland, said the reaccreditation was “a huge achievement for the entire team across all our sites and reflects the ongoing commitment to continually improving the service.”
Highland Archivist Alison Mason said it was “fantastic to have the team’s hard work recognised in the feedback from the Archive Service Accreditation Panel” and that they were “especially pleased with the recognition of our commitment to improving digital access to collections, making records more widely available to diverse audiences, and their praise for our innovative trainee recruitment, which highlights the value of local knowledge and strong community connections.”
Director of the Scottish Council on Archives, John Pelan, said:
“Many congratulations to Highland Archive Service for continuing to provide a first-class service for its users and stakeholders.
“This reflects the service’s commitment to the highest possible standards in customer and community-focussed archives management and development.”
The service is dedicated to collecting, conserving and making accessible the records that tell the story of the Highlands and its people, whether through visits in person, digital access, or outreach with schools, community groups and audiences worldwide.
Last year it was named Record Keeping Service of the Year at the Archive and Records Association Excellence Awards, underlining its national standing.
This reaccreditation is more than an accolade.
It is a reassurance that the stories, heritage and identity of the Highlands will be cared for with skill, imagination and dedication, ensuring they remain alive for everyone who wishes to explore them.
