In 2009 the INSPIRE Directive was adopted as a Statutory Instrument by both the UK and Scottish Parliaments with a view to developing the Metadata, Web Map and Web Feature Services, to an agreed timetable, over the next decade. Both the Scottish Government and Geographic Information community in Scotland recognise that although the mandated datasets are helpful in focusing attention on priorities within the context of creating a Scottish Spatial Data Infrastructure and delivering efficiencies across all tiers of Scottish Government, the INSPIRE Directive should be seen very much as a catalyst rather than a checklist. RCAHMS recognises the need to and value in sharing the information it curates on behalf of the Scottish public with partner organisations and the wider community for the benefit of the promotion and appreciation of Scotland’s heritage. Although, the majority of records in Canmore (http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/), the national inventory of the archaeological and built heritage of Scotland and its maritime waters are not protected through statutory designation, RCAHMS has argued that the information it curates is relevant to and should be considered as part of the INSPIRE Annex I Protected Places theme, even if not a mandatory dataset. To date RCAHMS has released a point-based WMS for the information in Canmore and is developing further bespoke services for maritime losses and the results of its own aerial survey mapping programme, the first in a series of richer datasets. WFS will be developed on release of guidance documents from the Scottish Government. Promoting the undesignated heritage of Scotland through INSPIRE raises a number of questions over the appropriateness of applying specifications for regulatory environmental data to the wider cultural heritage and how information, so published, could be understood and used remotely by audiences outside heritage. Archaeological data is often ill-defined and incomplete. Would those accessing data remotely necessarily understand the incompleteness, bias and variability of the record in contrast to the fixed boundaries of most designated datasets? A land manager may need to know if a site is extant, known from documentary sources or revealed through aerial photography or remote sensing whereas an archaeologist needs to consider evidence from the investigation and recording of a site. Delivery of richer spatial datasets for most archaeological investigations remain aspirational as they require collaborative, participatory approaches from across the profession and engagement from the academic and private sectors. Even if the mechanisms to deliver richer datasets are in place, potential barriers include concerns over intellectual property rights and a reluctance to change working practices though inertia may gradually be addressed through demonstrator services and case studies highlighting the potential benefits in the long term.

1. Beyond Inspire: towards delivering richer heritage
data in Scotland
Peter McKeague and Mike Middleton
Peter.mckeague@rcahms.gov.uk mike.middleton@rcahms.gov.uk

2. Outline of talk
Outline of talk
1. Outline of adoption of INSPIRE and aspirations of Scottish SDI
2. Metadata
3. Published Historic Environment Datasets for Scotland
4. A broader view of Protected sites
5. RCAHMS data – limitations in the wider world
6. DSP - RCAHMS Mapping
7. Conclusions

3. The role of RCAHMS
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
• Identifies, surveys and interprets the built environment of Scotland
through field survey, aerial reconnaissance and desk-based analysis
• Preserve, care for and add to the information and the items in the National
Collection relating to the archaeological, architectural and historical environment
through receipt of information from commercial and community projects
and the deposition of third party archives
•Promote public understanding and enjoyment of the information and the items in the
collection
through presentation of resources online through the Canmore database,
encouraging public contributions, working with community groups to
record and appreciate their heritage through Scotland’s Rural Past project.
Provides Scotland with a national inventory of the architectural and
archaeological heritage as set out by the Granada and Valetta
Conventions

4. Guidance, Policy and implementation
2004: One Scotland, -One Geography. A Geographic Information Strategy for Scotland
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/57346/0016922.pdf
2009: INSPIRE Statutory Instrument
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2009/440/contents/made
2010: Cookbook 1 How to serve a Scottish SDI and INSPIRE compliant WMS
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/311518/0098305.pdf
In preparation: Cookbook 2 How to serve a Scottish SDI and INSPIRE compliant WFS

5. The Scottish Spatial Data Infrastructure
National
Mapping
Agency
(Ordnance
Survey)
Commercial
aerial
photography
vendors
After Cameron Easton: Scottish Government

6. Scottish Spatial Data Infrastructure Metadata Portal
http://scotgovsdi.edina.ac.uk/srv/en/main.home

7. Scottish Spatial Data Infrastructure Metadata Portal

8. Marine Environmental data & Information Network
Spatial Data Infrastructure Metadata Portal
http://portal.oceannet.org/search/full/catalogue/medin.ac.uk__MEDIN_2.3__Canmore.xml/

9. Published Historic Environment Services in Scotland
Historic Scotland have published metadata and WMS for
Scheduled Monuments
Listed Buildings
Gardens and Designed Landscapes
Developing a hosted service for Conservation Areas on behalf of
local authorities
RCAHMS
Have published metadata and WMS for the
National inventory of the archaeological and built heritage (Canmore)
are preparing WMS for more detailed datasets
are promoting INSPIRE principles to Local Authority archaeological services
Local authority Historic Environment Records
Several have WMS for their own purposes but none formally
published through the Scottish Spatial Data Infrastructure Discovery Portal
Elsewhere, a much more restrictive interpretation of ‘Protected Sites’ focuses
on only those sites that are protected through statutory designation

10. Protected Sites and the wider Historic Environment
A Protected Site is defined as an
“Area designated or managed within a framework of
international, Community and Member States' legislation
to achieve specific conservation objectives”
[Directive 2007/2/EC].
“..a Protected Site is an area of land and/or sea
especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of
biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural
resources, and managed through legal or other effective
means.”
[International Union for the Conservation of Nature]

11. Protected Sites and the wider Historic Environment
Why the wider historic environment matters
• European Union and Sector policies
The Valetta Convention on the Archaeological Heritage (1992)
The Granada Convention on the Architectural Heritage (1985)
• Only about 7% of the known archaeological resource is protected
through statutory means
• Informing the designation process
• Managing the historic environment through other effective means
Planning guidance (Planning Advice Note 42 in Scotland)
Stewardship and voluntary agreements
• Expectation and best practice
• Stimulating research
It is the wider historic environment that is most at risk and has most to benefit from INSPIRE

12. Understanding data: who is the audience?
Does the public understand the terminology?
Upstanding Heritage Known form documentary sources?
What is a Burnt Mound?
Brunatwatt Burnt Mound, Shetland W Stukeley's Drawing of Arthur’s O’on,
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/details/1225858/ Stenhousemuir (published 1720)
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/details/453314/
.. or a find spot? .. Or the condition of a monument?
Duddingston Hoard, Edinburgh Oblique aerial photograph of an Iron Age fort,
http://www.scran.ac.uk/database/image.php?usi=000-100-034-447-R Habchester, Borders
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/details/993205/
©National Museums Scotland. Licensor www.scran.ac.uk
.. or known from cropmarks?

13. Cropmarks: Aerial Photographic Mapping Programme
(partial)Attribution of Aerial Survey
Transcription layer
TAG Source line tag from Cad file
Source oblique aerial survey photography
CODE Thesaurus Broad term
Class Site Classification
Photo_no RCAHMS catalogue number of source
photograph
Completed Date individual transcription signed off.
Interpretative transcription of visible
cropmarks Numlink Internal Site reference number
URL Hyperlink to Site record published on
Canmore
..and rectified image
Images: Crown Copyright:: RCAHMS Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

14. Aerial Survey WMS
Images: Crown Copyright:: RCAHMS Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

15. WMS to be consumed by Canmore Mapping website
Knowes
Full Site Details http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/57720/
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/57720/
Images: Crown Copyright:: RCAHMS Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

16. Scottish Spatial data Infrastructure
Data Provider / Service delivery
Service provision
Publishers
View services
Discovery
Services /
Discovery
Canmore Metadata
Registry
(Spatial) database
View
Services / Portals
Web Map
Aerial photography: Services
Rectified images
Transcription linework
Download Service
Services / consumption
Web
Feature End User
Third party data: Services
e.g.Remote Sensing
Excavation extents and detail

17. RCAHMS Mapping
Canmore database contains
over 300,000 records
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

18. RCAHMS Mapping
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

19. RCAHMS Mapping
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

20. RCAHMS Mapping
© Crown Copyright and database right 2011 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

21. RCAHMS Mapping
© Crown Copyright, RCAHMS

22. RCAHMS Mapping

23. Defining Scotland’s Places
A D
B
C
A http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/rcahms_media/files/survey/rcahms_data_management.pdf
B http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/rcahms_media/files/survey/rcahms_polygonisation_report.pdf
C http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/rcahms_media/files/survey/rcahms_inspired_report.pdf
D http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/historic-environment-polygonisation-standards-scotland.html

24. Defining Scotland’s Places
Defence Estates (Ministry of Defence)
Audience
Directorate for Culture, External Affairs and Tourism
Emergency Services
• Heritage Professionals
Legal Directorate
Directorate for Rural Payments and Inspection
• Land Managers
The Crown Estates Transport Scotland
• Public 32 Local Authorities
Marine Scotland
Cairngorms National Park Authority
Health Directorate (NHS Scotland)
Heritage professionals (Architects, archaeologist, etc)
Directorate for Environmental Quality
Directorate for Business, Enterprise and Energy
Highlands and Islands Airports
Architecture and Design Scotland Crofters Commission
Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (QLTR) Universities
Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS)
National Museums Scotland Directorate for Housing and Regeneration
Scottish Water Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Directorate for Transport
Directorate for the Built Environment General Register Office for Scotland
Directorate for Climate Change and Water Industry
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority

25. RCAHMS Mapping
Organisation: SMRs/HERs Historic Scotland RCAHMS
What are they The Potential Designation The Known
mapping? (Trigger Mapping) (Constraint Mapping) (Inventory Mapping)

26. RCAHMS Mapping: Standards
One Scotland – One
Geography

27. RCAHMS Mapping
Attribution
Discovery attribution – The core attribution needed to be standards
compliant and meaningful to as wide an audience as possible.
What is it?
Why is it of interest?
Who to contact to get more info.
LA/HER hyperlink
RCAHMS hyperlink
Where the shape came from
When the shape was made

28. RCAHMS Mapping : defining site extents
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

29. RCAHMS Mapping:
Historic Landuse Characterisation data to help inform process
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

30. RCAHMS Mapping :
Record location indicated by point co-ordinates
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

31. RCAHMS Mapping:
though records define areas – as in this country house and its estate
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

32. RCAHMS Mapping
preserved as green space in the urban environment
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

33. RCAHMS Mapping
The archaeological record represented as points
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

34. RCAHMS Mapping
and as site area extents: providing a fuller picture of the resource
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

35. RCAHMS Mapping
also applicable to the marine environment
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

36. RCAHMS Mapping
The German High Seas Fleet scuttled in Scapa Flow , Orkney Islands
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

37. RCAHMS Mapping
Cramond Roman Fort, Edinburgh
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

38. RCAHMS Mapping
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

39. RCAHMS Mapping
Potential of third party event information contributing to project
Excavation
detail
Excavation
extents
Base mapping: © Crown Copyright and database right 2012 All rights reserved. OS Lic. No. 100020548

40. The Scottish Spatial Data Infrastructure Challenge
Engaging the private sector and academia
Broadening
approach to
include
academic
and private
sector
After Cameron Easton: Scottish Government

41. Conclusions....
• Remote access to information through Spatial Data Infrastructures is the future
• Historic Environment Data needs to be visible in an SDI (otherwise it is ignored)
• Historic Environment Data needs to be understood by the layman
• Need to facilitate publication of richer data from the activities that inform our records
The fieldworker or researcher creates primary data but not everyone has the
capacity, ability or infrastructure to delivery WMS or WFS services
Need to agree on appropriate standards to document the data consistently
and a need for a facilitating role to enable organisations to contribute..
The RCAHMS SURE partnership with the National Trust for Scotland
and Orkney Islands Council is one such example of a new approach
Contact
Peter McKeague : peter.mckeague@rcahms.gov.uk
Mike Middleton: mike.middleton@rcahms.gov.uk