Working life | ‘Condense what you do into language that inspires’

Describe your career path

I loved history and managed to get a funded place on the University of St Andrews postgraduate museums studies course in 2014.

This led me to a short-term museum assistant role and then onto a curatorial internship at South Georgia Museum, on the remote island of South Georgia in the south Atlantic. I then worked at the Scottish Maritime Museum as a curator, before coming to HMS Unicorn, Scotland’s oldest ship.

What sparked your interest in maritime heritage?

When I lived on South Georgia Island, there were several fascinating historic vessels from the days of whaling and sealing, within yards of my digs, hauled up on shore and untouched for decades.

Living in a maritime community in a remote part of the world, surrounded by all the trappings of seafaring, and being steeped in the fascinating history of the “golden age” of Antarctic exploration, really set something going in my mind. 

What were the highlights of working at HMS Unicorn?

Taking an under-appreciated asset – as one of the world’s six-oldest ships, it is so important, yet relatively unknown – and being able to share its history, and watch it become more recognised. I am also proud of developing Project Safe Haven, one of the UK’s most challenging conservation projects, there. Securing National Lottery Heritage Fund development funding was a pretty big high.

What skills did you pick up?

Fundraising, fundraising, fundraising! We secured about £3m in funding over two years, as well as progressing other funds to match, which added (several) zeros to the average annual funding achieved over previous years.

I’d advise others to condense what you do into language that inspires, and attracts investment. And make clear in your evidence the benefit your organisation brings and the benefits that development will offer in future: who it serves and why.

What are you most looking forward to about the Scottish Maritime Museum?

The richer a collection is, the more opportunities there are for storytelling and making meaning. The museum has an amazing range of vessels, artworks, machinery, archives and photographs – I can’t wait to get my hands on a Recognised collection again.