The Scottish Crannog Centre: sustainability in a self-funded archaeological open-air museum - OpenArch Conference, Cardiff 2015

The Scottish Crannog Centre:Sustainability in a Self-funded AOAM

EXARC – OpenArch ‘Managing Archaeological Open-Air Museums’

Cardiff May 2015

Barrie Andrian May 26, 2015

The Scottish Crannog Centre Kenmore, Loch Tay, Perthshire

• Iron Age life on the loch• Based on 2,500 year old

remains• Built as experiment 1994-

96• 5* heritage centre • Only AOAM in Scotland

The Scottish Crannog Centre

Facilities: Exhibition/museum; Crannog tours; Activities & Experimental Arch.; Giftshop; Outdoor picnic area


Facilities

Common Challenges & IssuesBalance between

Archaeology, Tourism & Education


• Location• Maintenance• Seasonality

• Marketing• Management• Funding

Some Survival Strategies• Management• PR & Marketing• Events & Outreach

• Networking• Private Bookings• Innovation & more…

Future Options…..


Location

The Good• Tourist Area• Stunning Rural Scenery• 18 ancient crannogs

The Bad• 16 miles (26km) to

main trunk road • 6 miles (10km) to

nearest town• Signage• Poor public transport

• Small population pool• Staff travel distances• Too far & costly for most

schools• Weather!


Location1997

2015

And the Ugly!

Building works ongoing2011 – 2015+


Maintenance

Damage from Neighbours

1998 pontoons hit Crannog1999 boat damage2000 single pontoon damage


MaintenanceExtreme Weather!


Natural degradation: rot; air-water interface; fungi

Maintenance


MaintenanceResources & Skills Major rebuild

2008-9

Crannog Crew

Archeo-Serwis from Poland


Seasonality• SCC Open 1st April to 31st Oct• Weather affects tourists• Staff retention: nearly everyone needs at least

1 other job to cover our winter closure• 7 months does not generate enough profit!


Marketing

• Decreasing visitor numbers/rising fees• Not enough profit so small budget

• PR – need to generate news & events• Limited leaflet distribution due to cost• Target audiences. Low-income excluded• Visitor feedback on paper • www.crannog.co.uk New site needed

• Most done in-house by non-specialists • ADVERTS too expensive• Need to focus on ‘free’ promotion eg.

online marketing, social media

http://www.crannog.co.uk/


Management

• Founders/Director(s) 24/7• Too few staff• No one person with

overview except MD• Skills & experience of staff;

too many part time• Multi-tasking needed

• Insurance!• No time/money for strategic

planning or development unless in own time

• No volunteers – no accomm.• Succession!


Funding

• Totally independent

SCC is trading company for the parent charity STUA. Profits supposed to go to the Trust.

• No subsidies from local, regional or national govt

• Rely wholly on ticket entry, shop sales, café window, and donations & grants

• No growth possible without project funding

• Economic downturn + adjacent building site = fewer visitors


Coping Strategies: What keeps us afloat??Personnel – Management

• Potential opportunities with new development next door.

• PASSION & enthusiasm• ‘Lifestyle job’ so accept low salary & long hours• Watch cashflow carefully• Good hourly wages – low recruitment• Dedicated core team: encourage research in own time

• Skills- learn on job, in own time, some external training

• Promotion from within to mgt team• Few volunteers but 1-2 students annually


PR • Tv & celebs • Events Partnerships• Piggyback marketing • Online and social media free• Free community magazines • Radio• Working on new website


Events on site



Outreach Events


NetworksEXARC, PKHT, ArchScotASVA, AIM, MGS, FSB etc.

Private Bookings


Innovative & Targeted Projects

Event Catalogue

Off-season events

Woodland Management


• Awards for credibility and publicity

2006

• General Fundraising – Donations, FOC, • Project & event grants

• Community Involvement

• Stronger, more involved STUA Board(no more ‘us and them’)


Now & Short term Future

• Seeking Museum Accreditation

• Develop retail: in shop & online

• Find grant(s) for rebuilding shelters on site

• Plan for 20th Anniversary – 2017!!

• Monitor political situation: Impacts of Team 56, EU Referendum


Future Options – long term

Development Proposals


We look forward to welcoming you!www.crannog.co.uk

Leadership & Management

The Scottish Crannog Centre: sustainability in a self-funded archaeological open-air museum - OpenArch Conference, Cardiff 2015