Do you love to learn about how people lived in the past and what it would have been like to live then? Or you might be curious about the reasons why the world is the way it is today, or have a wish to bring the past to life. Alternatively, you might love the idea of looking after precious old objects or manuscripts, or being surrounded by valuable works of art. If so, then working in information, culture and heritage is the ideal career area for you!
Scotland is rich in heritage and culture and it’s an essential asset for our tourism industry. The organisation Museums and Galleries Scotland supports 450 museums and galleries, including 257 accredited museums. 2 There are also hundreds of historic places and heritage centres, managed by organisations like the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland.
Since 2021, a five year public library strategy has been in place, which aims to develop how public libraries can use their physical and digital services to ensure a strong future for the library sector.
The main areas for this career area are: libraries and information science, archives, libraries and genealogy, culture and heritage, archaeology, heritage work and museums and galleries.
The biggest employers are local authorities and national conservation trusts, but there are many areas within these services that you can work in; these can include education, leisure, marketing, planning, exhibition organisation and tourism.
To see the routes to getting into each of these sectors, take a look at our Career Pathway.
There are a wide range of organisations you can work for including:
Due to the popularity of working within culture and heritage, there is stiff competition for jobs, some of which require high qualifications. So, you will need to be determined, persistent and highly motivated to find the job you want.
Getting voluntary work experience for both archaeology and museum work before applying for a job is very useful. It’s also a good way to make contacts.
The lastest NOMIS figures for Scotland in March 2024 showed there was 5,700 librarians and related professionals working in Scotland. 1
There is a lot of competition for jobs in libraries. Public libraries across Scotland have 40 million visits a year across their 490 local venues and 49 mobile units. They also offer a digital online service 24/7. 3
According to the Survey of Scotland’s Museums and Galleries, the most common qualification for staff to have is a degree level qualification (39%), followed by a postgraduate qualification (20%) and then those with qualifications at SCQF Level 5 (14%). 5
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland. Their website has an excellent opportunities section where you will find learning, training and job opportunities for all disciplines in culture across Scotland.
1 Annual Population Survey - Occupation by sex, employment status and full/part-time - Scotland, NOMIS (March 2024)
3 Scotland’s Public Library Strategy 2021-2025, Scottish Libraries and Information Council (SLIC)
4 State of the Archaeological Market 2022 (July 2023), Federation of Archaeological Managers and Employers (July 2023)
5 Survey of Scotland’s Museums and Galleries, Museums Galleries Scotland (November 2022)
Historic Environment Scotland