Remit (revised 2016)
The Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee was formed in 2013 following a review of the Archaeology function at Historic Scotland.
The Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee (SSAC) will be an informal group, representing key partners / interests, to help with the development and delivery of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy.

Aims
The aims of the SSAC are to:
- Help create, promote and deliver Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy
- Offer advice and guidance to the Archaeology Team within Historic Environment Scotland
- Represent key areas of expertise in the sector
Objectives
Key areas to be supported by the Committee include:
- Development and promotion of Scotland’s Archaeology Strategy
- Development of a regularly updated implementation plan
- Oversight of delivery
- Discussion of timescales, funding and priorities for areas to be addressed
Membership
- The SSAC will include members with expertise in the following key areas:
- Archaeological Science
- Commercial Archaeology
- Community / Voluntary Archaeology
- Education and Archaeology
- Land Management
- Local Authority Archaeology
- Marine Archaeology
- Museums (including the National Museums Scotland)
- The Professional Institution (Chartered Institute for Archaeologists)
- University Archaeology
- Others as deemed appropriate
- There will be links to the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF), and also to the Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) when appropriate. Committee members can represent multiple areas on the committee. Others will be invited to attend as necessary, particularly representatives of relevant working groups.
- Committee members will serve 4 year terms – although the first group of committee members will serve between 2-5 years to ensure that there isn’t a sudden change of membership 4 years after starting. Members will only serve one term to ensure regular change of personnel and dynamism to the committee.
The Chair will come from within the committee but not be a member of HES staff. HES will provide necessary administrative support to the Chair.
- The group will aim to meet three times a year.
- The minutes will be made available on the SAS website – https://www.archaeologystrategy.scot
Governance
The Group will consider its progress against its remit and report to the Chief Executive of HES on an annual basis, recognising HES’s lead role in the delivery of Our Place in Time. It will liaise with the relevant groups of Going Further as necessary.
The members of the Committee are as follows:
Area of expertise | Name | Title | Organisation | Date to leave Committee |
Archaeological Science / University Archaeology | Dr Kate Britton | Lecturer | Aberdeen University | 2022 |
Commercial Archaeology | Vacant | |||
Commercial Archaeology | Kirsty Dingwall | Project Manager | Headland Archaeology / FAME | 2022 |
Commercial Archaeology | Dr Andy Heald (Committee Chair) | Director | AOC Archaeology | 2023 |
Community / Voluntary | Ailsa Smith | Volunteer Archaeologist | Association of Certified Field Archaeologists | 2024 |
Education and Archaeology | Jane Miller | Learning Officer | Archaeology Scotland | 2023 |
Land Management | Vacant | |||
Local Authority Archaeology | Andrew Robertson | Archaeology & Heritage Officer | East Lothian Council / ALGAO | 2025 |
Marine & Maritime Archaeology | Dr Jon Henderson | Chancellor’s Fellow in Global Challenges | University of Edinburgh | 2024 |
Museums | Dr Sharon Webb | Director & Curator of Archaeology | Kilmartin Museum | 2024 |
Museums Galleries Scotland | Devon McHugh | Senior Partnerships Manager | Museums Galleries Scotland | 2025 |
National Museums Scotland | Hugo Anderson-Whymark | Senior Curator, Early Prehistory | National Museums Scotland | 2026 |
Skills and Training | Kate Geary (& Cara Jones) | Head of Professional Development | Institute for Archaeologists | 2023 |
University Archaeology | Covered by Kate Britton | |||
Young Person | Edward Stewart | Student | University of Glasgow | 2022 |
ScARF | Helen Spencer | ScARF Project Director | Society of Antiquaries of Scotland | 2023 |
HES Lead | Vacant | Head of Heritage Recording & Archaeology | Historic Environment Scotland |
In addition, others may be invited to attend as appropriate.
The Committee would like to thank the following former members:
Dr Rebecca Jones | Head of Heritage Recording & Archaeology | Historic Environment Scotland | 2013-2022 |
Dr Fraser Hunter | Principal Curator of Prehistoric & Roman Archaeology | National Museums Scotland | 2018-2022 |
Bruce Mann | Archaeologist | Aberdeenshire Council | 2018-2022 |
Derek Alexander | Head of Archaeology | National Trust Scotland | 2017-2021 |
Thomas Rees | Consultant Archaeologist | Rathmell Archaeology / Federation of Archaeological Managers & Employers (FAME) | 2017-2021 |
Jacob O’Sullivan | Collections & Engagement Manager | Museums Galleries Scotland | 2016-2020 |
Peter Connelly | Archaeologist | Northlight Heritage / FAME | 2018-2020 |
Dr Jennifer Thoms | Learning Officer | Archaeology Scotland | 2018-2020 |
Professor Stephen Driscoll | Professor of Historical Archaeology | University of Glasgow | 2013-2019 |
Dr Mark Hall | History Officer | Perth Museum & Art Gallery | 2013-2018 |
Peter Hinton | Chief Executive | Institute for Archaeologists | 2013-2018 |
Dr Simon Gilmour | Director | Society of Antiquaries of Scotland | 2013-2018 |
Eila Macqueen | Director | Archaeology Scotland | 2013-2018 |
Robin Turner | Head of Survey & Recording | Historic Environment Scotland | 2013-2018 |
Dr Val Turner | Shetland Archaeologist | Shetland Amenity Trust | 2017-2018 |
Dr Katie Stevenson | Keeper of Scottish History & Archaeology | National Museums Scotland | 2016-2018 |
Susan Kruse | Project Officer | Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH) | 2013-2017 |
Matt Ritchie | Archaeologist | Forestry Commission | 2013-2017 |
Dr Chris Bowles | Archaeology Officer | Scottish Borders Council | 2013-2016 |
Dr Alan Leslie | Director | Northlight Heritage | 2013-2016 |
Rod McCullagh | Deputy Head of Archaeology Strategy | Historic Environment Scotland | 2013-2016 |
Dr Karen Milek | Senior Lecturer | Aberdeen University | 2013-2016 |
Simon Stronach | Former Senior Associate Director | CgMS Consulting | 2013-2016 |
Luke Wormald | Strategic Policy Manager | CHED, Scottish Government | 2013-2015 |
Minutes
2023 January (coming soon)
2022 January – April – July – October
2020 February – May – September
2018 January – March – June – October
2013 October