Iona Tytler Headshot, Credit Castle House Museum

Iona Tytler, Heritage Horizons

Iona Tytler, Heritage Horizons, Dunoon

Over 12 weeks they worked alongside the Castle House Museum manager to learn about all aspects of the museum, from front-of-house to accessing archives to create improved visitor experiences, all set against the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Castle House Museum and CHARTS supported Iona by giving them access to valuable skills development opportunities and 1 to 1 mentoring support helping to set them on a career trajectory in the heritage and cultural sector.

Originally from Dunoon, Iona is interested in social, LGBTQ+ and gender history. During their placement, Iona:

  • worked to uncover underrepresented narratives often not featured in popular history 
  • Focused on the museum’s clothing collection and developed object handling skills. 
  • Gained access to Castle House Museums Archive 
  • Created text about Dunoon’s Suffrage movement (view online) which was turned into a public display. 
  • Engaged new audiences through their displays
  • Received training, advice, and support for Castle House Museum staff 
  • Support and progress meetings with CHARTS project coordinator Kirsty MacNab 
  • Learnt how best to portray a heritage organisation online through giving a presentation at CHARTS webinar ‘Love Heritage’, which they received support for from Kirsten Millar

 

“I developed visitor service skills and a welcoming front-of-house persona, alongside object handling skills, and how to create text for a museum display. I also had the chance to be trained by a STGA trainer and learnt how to disseminate historical information on a guided tour.”  Iona Tytler

 

‘I feel this is a really good working model to get young people into heritage, as it has given me a lot of skills that are needed for the sector… it has brought me more involved with my local heritage sector and the museum itself [Castle House Museum] which I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise’ Iona Tytler 

 

Image: Iona during their placement at Castle House Museum.