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Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle redeveloped
Redevelopment of Edinburgh Castle’s Crown Room is under way. The project, which began in January, will see elements of the Victorian design, including oak panelling, restored and new enhanced displays for the Honours of Scotland (the Crown, Sword, and Sceptre; see CA 408). New oak shields were made by Historic Environment Scotland’s joiners to recreate the original, simpler features of the room.
Kathy Richmond, Head of Collections & Applied Conservation at HES, said: ‘The Honours of Scotland are objects of immense significance and a key highlight of a visit to Edinburgh Castle. With this redevelopment we are taking inspiration from the past, and also want these objects to benefit from modern, high-quality design that meets the highest industry standards. The new display case will continue to ensure the long-term security and stability of the Honours, while creating an atmospheric and memorable experience for visitors.’
First International Nautical Archaeology Foundation grant winners announced
The first winners of a new grant programme from the International Nautical Archaeology Foundation (INAF) have been announced. Eight recipients were chosen to support a worldwide range of maritime archaeological projects that aim to advance public awareness of nautical archaeology and promote research with a public benefit. The winners include Gary Bankhead from Durham University for his project on the Roman industrial whetstone complex near Sunderland (see CA 432).
Mark Beattie-Edwards, CEO of the Nautical Archaeology Society, which administers the INAF, said: ‘We were extremely encouraged by both the volume and calibre of applications received for this first round of INAF grants. The breadth of projects, spanning underwater, intertidal, and terrestrial investigations, demonstrates the vibrancy and global reach of nautical archaeology today.’
Applications for the 2027 INAF grant programme will open on 1 January 2027. Enquiries and applications should be sent to inaf@nauticalarchaeologysociety.org.
Treasure Trove Code of Practice updated
An updated Code of Practice for Treasure Trove in Scotland has been published in the first major revision since 2008. The amended text (available at https://tinyurl.com/5z4762px) provides clearer guidance for finders, museums, and archaeologists, as well as new advice for land managers and antiquities dealers. In particular, it provides step-by-step instructions for finders and increases the transparency on how discoveries are assessed and valued.
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Photo: Historic Environment Scotland
