Digital documentation and virtual access to the Honours of Scotland

In 2023, the Digital Documentation and Innovation (DD&I) team at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) were tasked with capturing the Honours of Scotland in 3D as a part of a wider conservation programme for the Scottish crown jewels. As the Crown, Sceptre, and Sword of State are the oldest crown jewels in Britain, they are unsurprisingly a major visitor attraction at Edinburgh Castle.

During the refurbishment of the Crown Room in 2026, which temporarily took the Honours off public display, a cross-directorate multidisciplinary Project Team led by HES’ National Investments team developed a range of mitigation measures to maintain a high-quality visitor experience at the Castle.

One such measure combined the 3D models of the Honours with an immersive virtual exhibition, providing an alternative way for visitors to engage with the Honours during their temporary absence. This was made possible through equipment funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) grants from the Capability for Collections (CapCo) programme and the Creative Research Capability (CResCa) programme.

Capturing the Honours in 3D

Certain features are traditionally challenging to capture in 3D, including reflective, translucent, and flexible surfaces. Each of the Honours presented their own combination of these challenges to the DD&I team. The Crown, for example, is made of highly reflective gold, silver, and precious gemstones, which can result in an inaccurate 3D model when using conventional photogrammetry techniques. To overcome this, the team used cross-polarised photogrammetry, utilising polarised filters on both the camera lens and light source. This technique significantly reduces surface reflections, allowing the geometry and fine detail of the object to be captured more accurately.  

More than 4,800 images were taken across the Crown, Sceptre, and the Sword of State, producing highly detailed 3D models. Alongside 3D the assets, the team produced scaled two-dimensional images of the objects that can be used by researchers and conservators to take measurements and record observations, supporting future conservation work.

The resulting models provide an unprecedented opportunity to explore the craftsmanship of the Honours while creating a detailed digital record of their condition at the time of capture.

From documentation to visitor experience

The value of digitally documenting the Honours extends beyond research and conservation. The digital models also create new opportunities for public access to Scotland’s crown jewels.

During the temporary closure of the Crown Room in early 2026, the DD&I team worked closely with HES’ Experience team and Edinburgh Castle Guide team to develop an immersive digital exhibition within the semi-circular walk-in projection space procured through a £1 million grant from AHRC’s CResCa programme.

Through the projected 3D models, visitors were invited to experience the Honours at a scale and level of detail not normally possible, even while viewing objects in their display case. The immersive exhibition enabled close examination of their intricate decorative features, revealing aspects that would otherwise remain hidden from view.

While not a replacement for viewing the Honours in person, the digital exhibition transformed a potential loss of access into a unique interpretive experience, allowing visitors to engage with the Honours in a new way.

Impact

The exhibition proved highly successful, allowing visitors to the Castle to enjoy a high-quality experience despite the temporary closure of the Honours display. During the four-month exhibition, an estimated 173,000 visitors experienced the virtual exhibition within the immersive space.

Feedback from both visitors and Edinburgh Castle staff was overwhelmingly positive.

This project demonstrates how investment in research infrastructure can deliver tangible benefits far beyond research alone. Equipment funded through AHRC’s CapCo grant enabled the processing of high-quality 3D models of these nationally important heritage assets, while the ARHC’s CResCa-supported immersive display space provided a practical means of maintaining visitor access during a period of necessary conservation work.

By combining digital documentation with innovative interpretation, this project highlights how advanced research capabilities can support conservation, research, and public engagement all at once.

View the full Honours of Scotland Sketchfab collection.