Scottish Castles Association is developing an Archive of Scotland’s castles

Scottish Castles Association (SCA) aims to create a permanent, freely accessible Archive of Scotland’s castle, bringing together historic photographs, drawings, research and other records with new recording and fieldwork.

The SCA warns that “Scotland’s castles are disappearing“, with some in a state of rapid deterioration. Yet, it notes, the exact number of castles and fortified sites in Scotland is not precisely established. The Archive aims to address this by providing a reliable record of what survives, what is changing, and what is at risk. This could help identify buildings where restoration, conservation or sustainable reuse may be possible, while recording the history and significance of those already lost.

The project is being developed in partnership with the University of Stirling, combining the SCA’s knowledge, connections and network with professional archival expertise and infrastructure. Learn more about the Archive here.

Next Steps

The SCA is developing a five-year programme for the Archive, requiring £880,000 of initial investment. This investment, it states, will provide capacity to digitise 125,000 images, conserve archival collections, enhance digital access, undertake systematic castle recording, and develop community involvement. The SCA will seek support from trusts, foundations, grant-making bodies and others who share the Archive’s ambition.

The next stage of the project will be marked by an Archive launch and fundraising dinner at Dundas Castle on 18 November 2026, featuring presentations by Professor Richard Oram and Simon Forder. The SCA welcomes interest from organisations, researchers, potential partners and supporters who would like to find out more.

BEFS has previously worked with SCA, having facilitated a workshop on castle strategy following their 2025 conference ‘Scotland’s Castles: Use Them or Lose Them’. Read more about the outcomes of that workshop here.

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