Welcoming Gavin MacGregor as Chair of the Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee

We are delighted to announce that Dr Gavin MacGregor has taken on the role of Chair of the Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee (SSAC).

Gavin brings a wealth of experience across Scottish archaeology, having worked in academic, commercial and community archaeology throughout his career. He is currently Chief Executive of Archaeology Scotland and has been a member of the SSAC for several years, most recently leading on Aim 4: Encouraging Greater Engagement.

As we look towards the next iteration of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy – affectionately known as SAS2 – Gavin will play an important role in helping to shape and guide this next chapter. His experience of working across different parts of the archaeological sector, combined with his strong working relationships with colleagues across the Committee, puts him in a great position to lead this work.

“The success of the first ten years of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy has been thanks to the huge commitment of the sector to work in partnership to shared longer term goals.  I want to thank all those across Scotland, including our previous Chairs and AIM Leads, who have worked so hard to deliver more together.  It is a great privilege to become the next SSAC Chair and build on this remarkable legacy.  As we look forward to the challenges and opportunities faced by Scottish Archaeology in the next ten years continuing to work in this way as a sector is absolutely critical” – Gavin MacGregor

The transition comes at an important moment for Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy. The first Strategy, launched in 2015 with the vision of “making archaeology matter”, provided a shared framework for organisations, communities, professionals and individuals across Scotland to work together. Over the past decade, the five strategic aims have supported a wide range of projects, partnerships and conversations across the sector.

As we move into the development of SAS2, we have an opportunity to reflect on what the first Strategy has achieved, what we have learned, and where archaeology in Scotland needs to go next. The Committee is currently taking forward the evaluation of the first Strategy and considering the structure and priorities of its successor. There will be opportunity for consultation in late 2026, with an updated Strategy to be shared in 2027.

Thank you, Andy!

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Andy Heald, who has served as Chair of the Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee.

Andy has provided invaluable leadership throughout an important period for Scottish archaeology. His guidance has helped the Committee to think critically about how we understand and evaluate progress across the Strategy’s aims, including encouraging us to look beyond simply recording activity towards considering the difference that the Strategy has made.

Under Andy’s leadership, the Committee has confidently embarked on the evaluation of the first iteration of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy and taken the first steps towards structuring SAS2. His contribution has helped to provide a strong foundation for the next phase of the Strategy, and we are very grateful for the time, thought and energy he has given to the role.

We’re excited to welcome Gavin as Chair and look forward to working with him, the Committee and the wider archaeological sector as we develop SAS2. The next chapter of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy is an opportunity to build on the achievements of the past ten years while thinking ambitiously about what archaeology can contribute to Scotland in the years ahead.

Watch this space for more updates on SAS2 and opportunities to get involved.