Scottish Museums Federation Conference 2025

Protecting the past, preserving the future

Marryat Hall, in Caird Hall, Dundee: Monday 12th May, 2025, 10:00 - 17:00

How can heritage organisations thrive in an increasingly complex world? Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future tackles this question head-on, with expert-led sessions on topics such as financial stability, engaging audiences, and building resilience in challenging times.

Thank you to our Headline sponsor Education Evolved.

Conference PROGRAMME

Download the Programme

  • Register Marryat Hall, at the Caird Hall in Dundee. Pick which workshops you’d like to attend, and if you’d like to come along to one of our social attractions.

    You’ll also be able to settle in with a cup of tea, and meet our exhibitors.

    Worth coming early to enjoy, settle, say hello to old friends and meet new ones.

  • Welcome address by the SMF Committee

    • Shannen Provan-Sloan, The MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust – Sophy & White: The Dunollie Collections Unboxed

    • Matthew Leeper, Education Evolved Ltd – St Giles: Preserving History Through Digital Innovation

    • Lauren Henning, Tall Ship Glenlee – Sailing Ships, Seamonsters, and Storms: The Power of Immersive Storytelling Experiences

  • Quick comfort break. Coffee refill. Ask an exhibitor a question.

    • Sophie Hinde & Kim Turford-Mowat, Dundee Heritage Trust – Community Feedback to Gallery Impact with £0 

    • Siobhán Beatson, Ullapool Museum – Revitalising Heritage: How the Lost Inverlael Expanded Ullapool Museum's Audience and Redefined Its Identity 

    • Emma Halford-Forbes & Ainize Moschynski, Glencoe Folk Museum – Community and Cruck Cottages: Redeveloping Glencoe Folk Museum for Sustainability 

  • Five minutes to stretch your legs and come back refreshed.

    • Rikki Payne, National Lottery Heritage Fund

    • Kate O’Driscoll, Museums Galleries Scotland

    • Shannen Provan-Sloan, The MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust

    • Emma Halford-Forbes, Glencoe Folk Museum

  • Engagement Tables:

    • Education Evolved Ltd.

    • Museums Galleries Scotland (resources available)

    • National Museums Scotland – National & International Partnerships Team

  • For those who signed up for a social activity (choices to be made when you sign in at the registration table in the morning), there is an option of:

    • Dundee Contemporary Arts

    • HMS Unicorn

    • Verdant Works

    • The McManus Art Gallery & Museum (no organised tour, but free to visit)

    • V&A Dundee (no organised tour, but free to visit)   

    • Clémence Aycard, Climate Museum UK – Old Stuff: An Environmental Story – How to Use Your Collections to Talk About the Planetary Emergency

    • Dr Nicôle Meehan, University of St Andrews – Data Futures: Imagining the Implications of a ‘Data Doomsday’ for Museums

    • Lyndsey Clark, Association for Heritage Interpretation – Interpretation for Museum Professionals

  • Well that’s a wrap! Thanks for coming, and see you next year.

  • We’d love for you to join us for a chat, a drink or even a bite to eat. We have a space reserved at:

    Bertie Mooney’s, 85 Commercial Street, DD1 2AB

purchase your tickets

£45 SMF Members

£65 Non-Members

£15 Reduced Rate

£20 Digital Ticket - Members

£30 Digital Ticket - Non-Members

Become a Member

Membership is open to anyone who works, studies or volunteers in the Scottish museum sector.

Dundee Map

venue accessiblity

The Caird Hall is located within the pedestrianised City Square, with ramp access positioned to the right of the building. Designated blue badge parking bays can be found in Crichton Street, Castle Street, Reform Street, Bank Street, and at the Shore Terrace car park.

External Ramp Entrance

  • Located at the west entrance - Marryat Door.

  • Maximum Dimensions for scooters

  • Length - 104cm

  • Width - 56cm.

Level Access to all facilities is available on both stalls and balcony levels. All entrance doors 140cm Wide x 231cm Height.

There are accessible toilet stalls located to the left at the top of the internal ramp, with baby change facilities.

There is a lift, to be operated only by venue staff, 79cm Wide x 200cm Height.

Hearing Assitance

The Caird Hall is equipped with an Inducton Loop and a Williams Wavecast System in the main auditorium.

On arrival please check with door staff the system in operation for the event you are attending.

To access the Induction Loop please switch your hearing aid to the T position.

To access the Wavecast system please request receiving equipment from the duty venue staff. The loop is suitable for persons wearing a hearing aid and worn around the neck. It is also possible to download the Wavecast app to use on your phone. Full instructions for use and access codes are provided by venue staff, 30 minutes before the Show start time.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs must be clearly identified and are welcome to attend. Our front of house team can provide water on request.

Download the Access Guide here.

venue location / how to get there

On Foot

The Caird Hall is situated in the heart of the City Centre of Dundee, overlooking the pedestrianised City Square.

  • Once in the High Street, head to the City Square.

  • The Caird Hall is the building with the ten Doric columns to the South of the Square.

By Train

  • Dundee Railway Station is five minutes walk from The Caird Hall.

By Bus

  • All local buses stop close to the Caird Hall.

  • The main Bus Station is a ten minute walk away.

  • Bus and coach services can be checked at either Citylink or Stagecoach.

By Bike

A bike rack is located at the main entrance for customers.  To help plan your cycling journey to Linlithgow Burgh Halls visit the CycleStreets website (opens new window) 

By Car

Aberdeen
(Journey approximately 1 hour)
A90 Forfar/Dundee route. As you approach the City take the A929 Forfar Road following signs for the City Centre.

Inverness
(Journey approximately 3 hours)
A9 to Perth then onto A90 to Dundee.

Edinburgh
(Journey approximately 1 hour)
M90 to Perth then onto A90 to Dundee.

Glasgow
(Journey approximately 1½ hours)
M8 to Stirling then the M9 to Dunblane onto the M90 to Perth then A90 to Dundee.

Perth
(Journey approximately 25 minutes)
A90 to Dundee approximately 22 miles. At the first roundabout on the outskirts of Dundee take a right for the A85 to City Centre.

  • Once in the City Centre, the Caird Hall can be accessed via Castle Street or Crichton Street.

Car Parking

Closest secure car parks are located at Greenmarket, and Gellatly Street.