Scottish Catholic Observer

The Bishops’ of Scotland have announced the appointment of Dr Alison Burke as curator of the ­Scottish Catholic Heritage Collection at Blairs Museum as they seek to promote Scotland’s Catholic history.

Bishop Joseph Toal, president of the Heritage Commission of the Bishops’ Conference, said he was ‘delighted’ to have ‘secured the services of Dr Alison Burke, a leading professional in her field.’

“We welcome Alison to her new post as curator at Blairs Museum to promote and develop and care for the Scottish Catholic Heritage collection, especially preparing and obtaining accreditation for the museum,” he said. “This is a new era for the promotion of the heritage of the Catholic Church in Scotland.”

Ms Burke, who began work last month, said she was ‘looking forward to getting to know the Blairs Museum collection and working to bring the treasures it ­contains to a wider audience.’

“The museum houses an internationally renowned collection of fine and decorative art from across Scotland and from the former Scots Colleges throughout Europe, which deserves to be known and seen by as many people as possible,” she said.

“I am excited by the possibilities which this role involves and grateful to the ­Bishops’ Conference for their support.”

Ms Burke added that her first day in the job involved escorting the watch of Bonnie Prince Charlie to the National Museum of Scotland as a temporary loan for a Jacobites exhibition.

“Holding Charles Edward Stuart’s watch was for me a career highlight,” she said. “It leaves you speechless. I felt so privileged. On the reverse of the watch is a picture of his daughter, so this very ­personal possession makes the historical figure more familiar and human—it brings you closer to him.”

The collection at Blairs Museum ­features a portrait of Bonnie Prince­ ­Charlie, as well as near contemporary paintings of Mary Queen of Scots.

Ms Burke’s priority will be to re-open Blairs Museum for the summer season. This will involve recruiting volunteers to help with interpreting the collection for visitors on weekend afternoons.

Dr Burke was previously creative ­project coordinator with Aberdeen City Council and has also worked for the National Trust for Scotland as Manager of Drum Castle and Craigievar Castle

and was awarded the George Waterson Award for Services in Conservation (2015) for conservation management of Drum’s ­collection.

To find out more about volunteering at Blairs Museum email:

[email protected]

[email protected]