James Carter | Projects

Interpretation projects

My interpretation planning work covers large areas as well as specific sites. As interpretation manager, I have implemented schemes that include visitor centres, site-specific arts work, and publications. My expertise is in storyline development, copywriting and editorial skills; I then work with illustrators, designers, artists and landscape architects to produce the finished result.

For government agencies such as Scottish Natural Heritage I have researched and developed policy papers on the potential of Information and Communication Technology in interpretation, a literature review on the role of communication in influencing behaviour, and a study on the role of arts work in interpretation.

These example projects illustrate what I do. Most have a slideshow so you can see some more details.

Tweed rivers interpretation project

As Interpretation Manager for this six-year programme I developed innovative approaches to interpreting a wide range of sites. They included sculpture commissions as well as conventional media, with a strong emphasis on integrating artistic work and site design with interpretation.

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The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh

A display in one of the historic telescope domes that explains the cutting-edge research now carried out here. The display presents advanced astronomy in accessible, everyday language, and includes interviews with scientists to give a human dimension to a cosmic-sized story.

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Shetland Museum

For this newly-built museum, opened in 2007, I edited the text that introduces the various sections of the museum as well as individual cases. My task was to make the text accessible, lively and concise, and to ensure that it communicated clear, consistent themes.

The official Heritage Lottery Fund report on the museum was very positive about the result:

“Unusually, at a time when the fashion in museum design seems to be moving away from text and graphics, the copywriting must be singled out. It is really an example to us all, and leads the graphic design rather than simply fitting into a pre-determined pattern. The text, always brief and to the point, conveys the essence of the stories of the artefacts in the broader context of the islands’ history.”

Knockan Crag

This ‘text book’ geological National Nature Reserve has been transformed into a flagship for greater public appreciation of Earth Science. I developed the concepts for the open, unstaffed visitor centre, and for interpretation along a trail through the site. I also wrote the text for the exhibitions and outdoor display panels. The project was awarded a Commendation in the Interpret Britain Awards.

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Glentress Forest Historic Trails

These trails are aimed at family-based groups cycling in this popular forest near Peebles. The trails take visitors to a number of historic sites, using first-person narratives to bring alive places that have very little visible evidence. The interpretation also encourages visitors to find objects in local museums that are linked to the narratives.

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Water of Leith Walkway

The scheme included developing a new visitor centre, designed so that its different sections appeal to very different sectors of the visitor market, as well as interpretation along the Walkway itself. This included a range of arts-based commissions designed to encourage use of the Walkway, and to create good promotional opportunities.

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Loch Torridon Marine Interpretation

Based on an interpretation plan developed in close consultation with local community interests, I coordinated work at three very different sites. All the installations are designed to raise awareness of the rich marine environment of Loch Torridon in north-west Scotland.

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