National award for High Life Highland archive service
High Life Highland’s archive service, which includes Nucleus in Caithness, has been praised for the “vibrant” way it brings history to life after winning a national accolade.
The Highland Archive Service was successful in the record-keeping service of the year category of the UK-wide Archives and Records Association (ARA) Excellence Awards, held in Birmingham. It was the only Scottish service to feature.
The Highland Archive Service took 63 per cent of the public vote, with fellow nominees being the Essex Police Museum and Lancashire Archives and Local History.
Michael Golding, chairman of the High Life Highland board, said: “We are all delighted at High Life Highland to see our own Highland Archive Service winning such a coveted award. This is very well deserved.
“Taking 63 per cent of the vote is testament to the professionalism and knowledge of the staff and volunteers that we have working in our four archive centres.
“The Highland Archive Service goes beyond just preserving records. They bring our fascinating history to life in a vibrant way.”
The Highland Archive Service was established in 1990. Its role is to preserve and share the rich history of the Highlands.
There are four sites operating across the region – the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness; Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre in Portree; Lochaber Archive Centre in Fort William; and Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives, near Wick John O’Groats Airport.
People can access collections in person or through digital channels, with a strong focus on reaching out to schools, groups and community organisations as well as audiences worldwide.
The ARA instituted its awards to recognise excellence and contributions by individuals and teams in the record-keeping sector.
ARA has four special awards: distinguished service award, record keeper of the year, record-keeping service of the year and new professional of the year.
A formal presentation will be made to the Highland Archive Service this autumn.