Ray Macfarlane reflects on her time as Chair

You’ve been involved in the Scottish heritage and museum sectors since 2007. What are the most significant changes that have taken place in these sectors over this time?  

Well, initially I thought this was a printing error; that I haven’t been in the sector that long! But of course it refers to the fact that I joined the Board of National Galleries Scotland in 2007.

Some of the biggest things obviously are the banking crash in 2008, the COVID-19 pandemic more recently, and the energy crisis. A big theme throughout this is the difference between having money and not having money. In 2007 we didn’t think we were particularly well off, but clearly we weren’t aware of the crises to come. The financial landscape of the museum sector is hugely different. 

But there are also big steps forward. In 2007, the Portrait Gallery was still being renovated. So it’s been completed, of course, and we also have the new Scottish Gallery, The Burrell Collection, David Livingstone Birthplace, Aberdeen Art Gallery… I love all the construction that’s taken place.  

Over the years, despite the difficult backdrop, progress has still been made and a lot of good things have happened. 

You joined us as Chair of the Board in 2018. What have you enjoyed most about your time in this role?  

I have enjoyed working with all the people at MGS: everyone is very committed and helpful, and the support I’ve received as Chair has been excellent. 

I also have a very good relationship with Lucy. She is so knowledgeable about the sector, which complements my experience of general management and corporate governance. 

Which projects are you most proud to have supported as Chair of the Board?  

The Modern Apprenticeships we offer seem to have been very, very successful. The Business Support Programme was also very good, and I liked the fact that we worked with other organisations to deliver it. There are real benefits to partnering with arts organisations, businesses, and funders such as The National Lottery Heritage Fund.  

The fact that we are able to give out grants is also hugely important. Of course, all the work we did to fund museums and galleries through COVID was vital. We got good Government support which enabled us to help people get through the crisis. 

I was pleased with the MGS Board’s response to the pandemic. Despite all the new challenges we faced, they were always able to respond to calls for Board approval within hours.

You served as Chair of our Recognition Committee for seven years before joining our Board. Can you share some highlights from your time in this role?  

I really enjoyed the Recognition Committee for two reasons. I realised that what I like about the museum sector is the exhibits, the collections, and the stories behind them. The stories included in the Recognition applications were just amazing.

The other reason was that I was able to visit museums and present them with their Recognition plaques. Visiting Brodick Castle was a particular favourite. I’m originally from Ayrshire  and I’ve been to Arran lots of times. So to find out all that history at Brodick Castle and then see the wonderful objects they’ve got, it was such an eye-opener. 

As Chair, you’ve overseen the conclusion of Scotland’s first national strategy for museums and galleries and helped launch the strategy for 2023-2030. What areas of this new strategy do you hope museums and galleries will have embraced by 2030?  

What I have always admired about the strategy is that it was made by the sector, for the sector. It’s completely focused on the things at the front of people’s minds.  

For me, the word from the strategy that stands out most is collaboration. It’s something that we do so well. We want to see more museums and galleries collaborating between themselves, by sharing their experience, identifying problems, and looking for solutions. 

What are your hopes the future of Scotland’s museum sector more generally?  

My big hope for the future is that the museum sector becomes much more established through positive and significant support from the Scottish Government.  

We have worked to highlight the importance of the sector to the Scottish Government. We contribute on so many fronts: to wellbeing, to the economy, to community support. There are so many positives about the sector, but we cannot take museums for granted. 

I very much welcome the uplift of funding for the sector in the Scottish Government’s draft Budget, as this signals a recognition of the need to support the sector. Our voices are being heard, and I hope that the strength of our relationship will continue to grow. 

We also need to make sure that we attract volunteers to the museum sector and that volunteers enjoy what they’re doing, because these people are phenomenal. They make a huge difference, so if we can encourage more volunteers, that would be a huge step forward.

Do you have any words of encouragement for anyone thinking about joining the board of a museum or national body?  

Yes: do so, because you won’t regret it. The variety of board roles is huge. Whatever your particular interest is, there’s bound to be something that that will appeal. 

Anyone can bring something to a board: a lot of it is just ordinary people getting together and talking about issues, reaching a conclusion, and achieving things. It’s always something worth doing in the museum sector. 

As you step down, do you have any parting thoughts for MGS and Duncan Dornan, your successor as Chair of the Board? 

Duncan is a great asset for MGS to have because his experience is absolutely spot on. Glasgow Life achieved so much when he was their Head of Museums and Collections. That’s a great example of a can-do attitude. 

It’s all about keeping up the good work. We’ve got momentum. We’ve got a really good strategy. We’ve got a good relationship with the sector. And so I hope that can be developed further with Duncan as Chair.