What is an Antiquary?
Our Fellows are passionate about researching, understanding, and promoting Scotland’s past, whether it is related to places, people, or things, and wherever in the world it may be found.
Fellows may be amateur enthusiasts, established or emerging researchers, or heritage experts, and can be interested in any period, from the first people to the present day. When you become a Fellow, you join a diverse network of people who want to learn more about history and heritage and how they have shaped the Scotland of today.
Fellowship supports the Society’s work as an independent voice for the heritage sector and helps the Society to promote research excellence and understanding of Scotland’s past.
As the senior antiquarian body in Scotland the Society has an important role in the cultural life and heritage of Scotland. We provide a forum for ideas and the presentation of new information through our lectures, seminars and workshops, as well as local, national and international conferences. We educate through our publications and projects. Our prizes and grants encourage and reward excellence in the fields of archaeology and history. We draw on a wide range of experience through the Fellowship and Council, and provide an independent voice advocating on Scotland’s heritage. The Society is often consulted on different matters relating to heritage, and it is represented on many committees, boards and councils. Membership of the Society enables Fellows to play an active part in safeguarding Scotland’s past.
“Antiquary” comes from the Latin antiquus meaning ‘old, former’, in this case encouraging investigation of our past in all its guises.