The Society is seeking committed and passionate Fellows to put themselves forward to be members of Council. We are looking for Fellows to play a leading role in shaping the Society’s next chapter, using your expertise and skills to help develop and deliver an ambitious future for Scotland’s oldest heritage charity and learned society.

As a registered charity, our Councillors form the Board of Trustees of the Society. The normal term of office is three years, but Fellows who choose to can thereafter seek re-election. These are voluntary, unremunerated positions, elected by the Fellowship.

It is in the Society’s interests to have a diverse range of expertise, knowledge and backgrounds on Council, with a willingness to contribute to the governance of a national society. To complement the skills of current Council members it would be ideal (but is not essential) if candidates have experience of either of the following:

• Staff Management and/or Human Resources
• Charity Financial Management

The Society aims to maintain gender balance on its Council and is actively seeking to increase diversity amongst the Board of Trustees; we therefore particularly encourage applications from Fellows who belong to the global majority, disabled Fellows, LGBTQIA+ Fellows, and Under 26 and/or Student Fellows as we acknowledge they are currently underrepresented on Council.

Council governs the strategic direction of the Society, developing and delivering the Strategic Plan, and taking forward an exciting programme of activities. This includes the acquisition and development of accommodation to create an independent national heritage hub, enhancing the Society’s role in providing expertise, support and resources to facilitate, disseminate and promote research into Scotland’s past.

Previous experience of serving on the board of a learned society and/or as a charity trustee is not essential, however candidates must be eligible to be a trustee in Scotland (see Chapter 9 Section 69 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005). A full induction will be provided. Councillors do not have to be ordinarily resident in Scotland.

Councillors are required to be Society Fellows (members) as stipulated in Law 10 of the Society and, as Trustees, are crucial to the implementation of the Society’s charitable purposes, ensuring its strategic direction, effectiveness and accountability. General information on Trustee duties is available from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and a short summary document is available from the Society: Responsibilities of Council Members.

Council currently meets four times a year on Monday afternoons. Two of these meetings are conducted online via Zoom, and two are planned to take place in person, usually in Edinburgh. Councillors are also expected to serve on at least one committee, with meetings mainly taking place online. Help with provision of remote communications equipment may be possible if required. Reasonable travel and subsistence expenses related to the work of Council will be reimbursed.

The President, Director and one Council member will interview prospective candidates prior to being placed on the ballot. Candidates will then be placed before the Fellowship for election by ballot as part of the Anniversary Meeting (AGM) on 30 November 2026.

Download Application Form

Application forms can be accessed using the link above or by emailing the Society Director at director@socantscot.org. You may also contact the Director to discuss this opportunity in confidence.

Completed application forms should be submitted to director@socantscot.org by 11:59pm (UK time) on 4 October 2026.