About Us Our Mission
Six flat, tan coloured cardboard boxes are piled together. Each box has a label with printed and handwritten text on it. This text gives information, including locations dates and film and print numbers. The labels are slightly discoloured.

Boxes of DOS photographic prints documenting British overseas interests.
The DOS project provided access to 1.7 million images from across the globe.

Our Mission

The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP) is an internationally significant collection of aerial imagery. It is one of the largest collections of its kind in the world. NCAP images form a crucial record of environmental and human impact on the globe over the past century.

Our mission is to preserve, promote and provide unparalleled access to historic aerial imagery.

Our History

Of the 30 million high-resolution aerial images currently held, most are UK government public records that were declassified by the Ministry of Defence between 2004 and 2008. NCAP, operating within Historic Environment Scotland (HES) maintains these under arrangement with The National Archives, UK as a formal Place of Deposit. The permanent preservation of the imagery, and ensuring it is publicly accessible, is our statutory responsibility under the Public Records Act (1958).

NCAP’s operational and development costs are covered by commercial income. Despite this business focus, our main priority remains our duty to preserve NCAP as an important international cultural asset.

our vision

Our vision is to be the world’s leading source of historic aerial imagery, revolutionising the way people access, use, and appreciate visual records of our past. We envision a future where a comprehensive digital archive serves as an essential resource for global research and education, as an international cultural asset. 

Through continuous innovation and collaboration, we aim to inspire new discoveries, foster a deeper understanding of historical landscapes, and support international efforts in accessing our shared heritage.

our Mission

At NCAP, our mission is to preserve, promote and provide unparalleled access to historic aerial imagery. 

We achieve this through: 

  • the digitisation of aerial photography via an on-demand service, we will provide access to the full breadth of collections for vital international activities and projects.
  • driving innovation in collections care, digitisation, cataloguing and data management, we will ensure custodianship of aerial imagery is maintained for future generations. 
  • user-friendly digital infrastructure that simplifies online discovery of historical imagery, we will promote the use of collections to new sectors and customers. 
  • leveraging sector knowledge and content for new technical and digital platforms we will expand global partnerships as we champion access to historic aerial imagery for growing international strategic objectives. 

Our commitment to maintaining a cost-neutral approach ensures that these invaluable resources remain accessible to all, fostering knowledge, innovation, and cultural heritage for future generations.

IN THIS SECTION

A black and white historic photo of 4 women in uniform working in an office. Large windows are visible in the background. 2 of the women face the camera, 2 are sitting with their backs to the camera. Metal film canisters cover almost every surface.

Our Team

Meet the team of dedicated technicians, historians, analysts, cataloguers, data managers and robots who deliver NCAPs collections to the public every day.

An industrial building with signage that shows a blue and teal logo. The sign reads ‘Historic Environment Scotland’. Above it is a grey ‘3’ – indicating the building unit number. The building is dark blue and has large glass windows. In the far right two white vans are parked.

Historic Environment Scotland

Operating as a part Historic Environment Scotland, we are able to work closely with colleagues across archives and business support to help meet our goals.

A large modern, multistorey building is the focus of the image. It is primarily made from glass sheets, with white panelling between them. Our view is partially obscured by large, low bushy trees, which are spaced in between areas of grass. Decorative paving is laid directly in front of us and leads to a low, sweeping glass entranceway.

Our Partners

We collaborate with organisations from around the world with the common goal of facilitating access to aerial photographic collections.

Racks of light grey shelving fill a room. The shelves are full of cardboard boxes. In the aisle between 2 racks of shelves is a woman with long dark hair wearing a blue lab coat. She leans over 2 cardboard boxes stacked on a grey trolley.

What's New and Next

Guided by our strategic plan for the care, digitisation and dissemination of aerial photographic collection, we are working through project priorities to meet set targets.

Two figures fill the right side of the frame, and sit in front of a computer workstation on the left. The figure on the right has short, dark brown hair an is wearing a grey jumper. The figure on the right has long red hair and wears glasses with a dark frame and a dark blue top. The figure on the right is pointing at the screen. Two frames black and white images are displayed on the grey walls around them.

Get Involved

Growing our network of partners includes reaching out to a knowledgeable and engaged public, for both volunteer and outreach opportunities.