This is an archive of the NMS website

Conservation & Analytical Research expertise

The Conservation & Analytical Research Department works across the wide variety of National Museums Scotland collections.

The department operates as four specialist sections. This page outlines the responsibilities of the department.

Dr Jim Tate: Head of Conservation and Analytical Research

Specific responsibility: Overall responsibility for the departmental collections and general policy

Paper & Textile Conservation

The textile collections include costume, tapestry, flags and banners as well as smaller objects like samplers, embroidery and accessories. The paper collections feature works of art, archives, photographs and social history documents including materials as diverse as papyrus and mica.

Lynn McClean ACR: Head of Section and Textile Conservator
Irene Kirkwood: Textile Conservator
Miriam Mcleod: Assistant Textile Conservator
Victoria Hanley: Paper Conservator
Lisa Cumming ACR: Paper Conservator
Tizzy Main: Paper Conservator

Artefact Conservation

This section covers remedial and preventive conservation on archaeological (including wet / waterlogged objects from land and marine sites and objects coming through the Treasure Trove system), historical and ethnographic objects as well as objects of a fairly recent age.

Dr Ticca Ogilvie, ACR: Head of Artefacts Conservation
Charles Stable, ACR: Artefacts Conservator
Diana de Bellaigue: Artefacts Conservator
Jane Clark, ACR: Artefacts Conservator
Jill Plitnikas, ACR: Artefacts Conservator
Verena Kotonski: Assistant Artefacts Conservator

Engineering and Furniture Conservation

The Engineering section works on a wide range of objects, including transport collections and aircraft. They are also responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of working models, engines and clocks on exhibition and for working and engineering artefacts at all sites. The Furniture Conservator is responsible for the treatment and care of fine furniture and wooden artefacts throughout the collections.

Stuart McDonald: Head of Section
Sarah Gerrish: Furniture Conservator
Chris Cockburn: Engineering Conservator
Thilo Burgel: Aircraft Conservator
Alex Walton: Assistant Aircraft Conservator
Mike Loftus: Assistant Aircraft Conservator

Analytical Research

The Analytical Research section examines archaeological and historical objects by scientific methods to gain information about their condition, technology, history and use. Inorganic and organic materials are analysed by non-destructive and micro-analytical techniques in-house, with metals, ceramics, plastics and natural dyes being specialities.

Dr Anita Quye: Principal Organic Scientist
Lore Troalen: Analytical Scientist
Susy Kirk: Analytical Scientist