New Exhibition Showcases Drawings from our Archives

An exhibition delving into the remarkable and varied drawings in Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) archives will open this weekend (Saturday 1 August) at Fort George, near Inverness.

The ‘Drawn from the Archives’ exhibition brings together different styles of drawings from a variety of time periods, from historic maps and surveys to on-site archaeological sketches and artistic works.

Despite the arrival of photography in the nineteenth century, drawing continues to play a vital and distinct role in preserving and developing the built environment and heritage sites.

The art of drawing is crucial in safeguarding history by helping archaeologists and antiquarians engage more deeply with what they observe through careful attention to texture, position, and detail. This was vital, for example, during the Second World War, when important features of at-risk buildings and landscapes were sketched in anticipation of possible damage or destruction during bombing raids.

Work from fascinating characters from Scottish history will also feature in the exhibition, including drawings by Christian Maclagan, one of Scotland’s earliest known female archaeologists. Also on display will be artwork by talented 19th century amateur artist James Skene, whose romantic sketches of Scottish monuments and landscapes acted as inspiration for his friend Sir Walter Scott.

Alongside pieces from the archive, four contemporary artworks will be on display, each commissioned and produced by artists to respond to the exhibition’s themes, continuing the tradition of using drawing as a way of understanding the world and highlighting the enduring skill and creativity of the practice.

Claire Whitbread, Exhibitions Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said:

“We’re incredibly excited to give visitors a look into our extensive archive and share some of the wonderful drawings in HES’s collections. Whether intricately detailed or quick sketches, these works tell us something new about the built environment we see around us every day and often take for granted. They also enhance our understanding of the wider social and cultural context of a place.

“These drawings can also tell stories about the people who preserved Scotland’s heritage: the archaeologists, antiquarians, surveyors and map-makers whose skill and creativity have safeguarded places and histories for future generations.

'Drawn from the Archive’ will be open to view at Fort George from Saturday 1 August 2026 until Monday 23 November 2026. Entry to the exhibition is included in admission price. Entry is free for Historic Scotland members.

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.

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