Assessing impact of fishing technology one of four projects funded

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Funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Museums Galleries Scotland, the Recognition Scheme ensures important collections are identified, cared for, protected and promoted to a wider audience. Recognition funding is awarded to projects that increase access to Recognised collections.

The Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther were awarded £31,800, for a project which will explore the impact that new technology brought to the working lives of fishermen on board the Scottish fishing fleets during the late nineteenth century. The project will also research and document existing intangible cultural heritage knowledge of the early fishing industry skills.

Simon Hayhow, Director or the Scottish Fisheries Museum, said:
“We are most grateful to MGS for this grant aid which will allow us to carry out important research on the impact of new technology in the fishing industry across Scotland during the nineteenth century. It will also help keep alive the important traditional boat-building skills, so long a feature of the East Neuk, which are now fast disappearing.”

Perth and Kinross Council were awarded £27,383 to digitise, document and interpret 15,000 photographic images produced from 1930 to1995 by the Laing family who were local commercial photographers. The images were selected for their relevance to the history of Perth & Kinross and, in particular, of Eastern Perthshire with its small towns and villages. This is an area which has witnessed many changes throughout this period and the photos cover everyday subjects such as working life, landscape, sport and leisure, social, political, family and religious events, housing and architecture, fashion, transport and even the weather.

Councillor Elizabeth Grant, Lifelong Learning Convener, Perth & Kinross Council, said:
“The museum staff and I are delighted that Perth & Kinross Council has been awarded this grant which not only enables us to carry out a project to the highest standards but also recognises the national importance, once again, of our museum collections. They could not be in better hands, and we look forward to using the grant to improve the quality of the visitor experience in Alyth Museum in 2010.”

Recognition funding of £30,651 has also been awarded to the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh for their Building Excellence for the Future project. The Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine was also awarded £40,000 to build an environmentally controlled display area to display sensitive objects from the museum’s collections.

Joanne Orr, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland, said:
“We are already seeing the beneficial impact that Recognition funding has had on improving the visitor experience to Scotland’s most important museum and gallery collections. The Recognition Scheme is providing us with wonderful opportunities to explore, interpret and enjoy our Recognised Collections of National Significance in new ways.”

Douglas Connell, Chair of the Recognition Committee, which oversees the Recognition of collections of national significance, said:
“To achieve Recognition status, the applicants had to demonstrate the uniqueness, authenticity, comprehensiveness, and national value of their collection. It is wonderful that the Recognition fund is enabling carers of Recognised Collections to undertake projects such as increasing accessibility to their collections and improving how they are cared for.”

- ENDS – NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS
• To date, 33 collections have been Recognised as being of national significance to Scotland.
• Custodians of the Recognised Collections can currently apply for a grant for one project per year up to a value of £40,000.
• To receive funding projects are required to aim for excellence by either undertaking an innovative or cutting edge project, achieving or embedding best practice or improving the long-term sustainability of the Recognised Collection through the project.
• Museums Galleries Scotland is the lead body for the funding, development and advocacy of over 340 museums and galleries in Scotland.

Recognition

PRESS CONTACT:
Eithne Ní Chonghaile
Communications Manager (PR & Events)
Museums Galleries Scotland
eithnenc@museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk
0131 550 4123

Published
2nd Jul 2009

Region
Aberdeen and Grampian
Angus and Dundee City
Argyll and Bute
Ayrshire
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife
Greater Glasgow
Highland
Perth and Kinross
Stirling
National

Publisher
MGS