Data providers

National Museum of Scotland (NMS) is run by the Scottish Government and holds internationally important collections of natural sciences, decorative arts, world cultures, science and technology, and Scottish history and archaeology. NMS’s online collection includes over 760,000 objects.

Canmore is a national resource that is compiled and managed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES). It contains more than 320,000 records and 1.3 million catalogue entries for archaeological sites, buildings, industry and maritime heritage across Scotland. Canmore contains information and collections from all HES’s fieldwork work as well as archival material from a range of other organisations, communities and individuals.

Aberdeen University Museums hold a suite of nationally and internationally important Human Culture, Natural History and Medical collections. The Scottish History and Archaeology Collection includes objects and supporting archival material spanning the Mesolithic (from 10,000 BC) through to the 20th Century. Objects from the prehistory of north-east Scotland are a key strength.

Archaeology Service for Aberdeenshire holds a set of Historic Environment Records containing information on over 40,000 sites of archaeological and historical interest in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen, Moray and Angus ranging from Mesolithic flints to airfields of World War II. The information consists of a computerised database linked to a GIS (Geographical Information System) with further physical records of maps, photographs, articles and reports. The databases are updated regularly with all new discoveries.

The Highland Historic Environment Record manages over 100,000 records detailing the heritage of The Highland Council area from the earliest human activity to the Cold War. The HER is maintained and published by The Highland Council.

The Hunterian Archaeology Collection contains over 70,000 artefacts presented to the University of Glasgow from the 17th century onwards. Approximately 90% of this collection consists of material excavated or found in Scotland. This includes notable sub­collections from James Cursiter (Orkney & Shetland), Walter Triall Dennison (Sanday, Orkney)