NCCSS ROLE AND REMIT
RECORDING & PRESERVATION
PUBLICATION
CO-ORDINATION
CASE-WORK (CONCERNS OVER INDIVIDUAL STONES OR
GROUPS OF STONES)
The NCCSS exists to draw attention to the threats to Scottish carved
stones of all periods, to promote their understanding and appreciation, and to encourage a common approach to their recording and preservation. NCCSS agreed a set of Principles of Recording and Preservation. These Principles have formed the background to later statements made by the NCCSS in its two leaflets (Carved Stones in Scotland: Threats and Protection and Protecting and Caring for Historic Carved Stones in Scotland) and in its booklet (Tom E. Gray and Lesley M. Ferguson, Photographing Carved Stones: a Practical Guide to Recording ScotlandÌs Past, Pinkfoot Press, 1997).
RECORDING & PRESERVATION
The NCCSS seeks to identify, agree and promote good practice in the recording of carved stones. It therefore supports and encourages:
The systematic recording of various classes of carved stones by central and local government bodies, national and local archaeological and historical societies and similar groups, using mutually agreed conventions and including an assessment of the present condition of the stone. Priority should be given to the recording of important, or particularly vulnerable, stones or categories of stones.
Awareness of the threats to carved stones amongst those with responsibility for caring for them. The NCCSS aims to identify (and to promote the identification of) stones and classes of stones that are at greatest risk. These should then be brought to the attention of the appropriate agencies for remedial action.
The NCCSS aims to encourage the publication of Scotland's carved stones. Publication, both in print and electronic format is an important aspect of the recording of carved stones. It can usefully take various forms: the full publication of selected material; summary listing and popular publications to promote public interest in certain types of carved stones.
CO-ORDINATION
The co-ordinating role of the NCCSSincludes:
Seeking to identify, agree and promote good practice in the preservation and recording of carved stones;
Identifying stones and classes of stones that face particular threats or are especially vulnerable;
Raising awareness of threats to carved stones amongst those with
responsibility for their care;
Raising awareness of threats to carved stones amongst a wider public identifying priorities for action;
Encouraging local groups and others to place their reports and archives in the National Monuments Record for Scotland and the local authority Historic Environment Records to ensure a record for the future;
The exchange of information and views between representatives of
national organisations. NCCSS recognises the value of prioritising inter-disciplinarily understanding through conferences and seminars and has supported several of these including:
29th October 1994: Post-reformation Gravestones (organised by NCCSS and The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland)
29th September 1997: St Andrews Sarcophagus (organised by Historic Scotland and SAS)
19th November 2001: Conservation of Historic Graveyards (organised by HS and SAS)
3rd - 4th April 2003: Able Minds and Practised Hands (organised by HS, NCCSS and The Society of Medieval Archaeology)
CASE-WORK (CONCERNS OVER INDIVIDUAL STONES OR
GROUPS OF STONES)
The NCCSS discusses and seeks solutions for individual stones or groups stones that are at risk or are in other ways a cause of concern.
