A Masters student is helping Aberdeen City Heritage Trust with social media while studying for a Masters in Cultural Heritage at the University of Aberdeen.

Lacey Young, from Northern Virginia, an area steeped in US history, volunteered to give a hand to the Trust.  She has been researching buildings and streets and posting pictures to showcase what makes Aberdeen’s historic built environment so special.  We asked her a few questions about why she is here studying in the UK.

Why are you interested in Cultural Heritage?

I have always been passionate about history and heritage. Following completion of a degree in Political Science I volunteered to transcribe documents online for the National Archives and increasingly found myself drawn to people’s stories and histories that are often bypassed in formal education. It gave me a push to pursue cultural heritage.

Why Aberdeen?

I knew I wanted to study abroad and I found the Cultural Heritage course at the University of Aberdeen while researching graduate schools.  There are not many similar programmes in the States. The fact that there was an opportunity for a work placement as part of my studies was a further incentive.

How have you found Aberdeen?

Aberdeen has felt surprisingly similar to home although the biggest difference is what drew me to Scotland in the first place; being enveloped by history and heritage

Do you have a favourite part of the City?

Since volunteering with the Trust,  I have loved going for walks to explore and find interesting buildings and streets to photograph. I don’t have a favourite building but I do admire some of the granite terraces. Many of my favourites are in Rosemount and Ferryhill.

What are your future plans?

I don’t have any yet, but I would love to stay in Scotland if I am able to and work in the heritage sector, perhaps with a heritage organisation, museum or archive.

Pictured: Cairnfield Place, Rosemount