A degree in history at St Andrews, a Masters from Guelph University in Ontario and a post graduate diploma in archive administration awarded
by University College London made her dream come true.

Now Falkirk Council's archivist has added another memorable string to her academic bow by being accepted as a member of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, an appointment endorsed by no less than Her Majesty The Queen and First Minister Alex
Salmond.

The honour for the first-ever keeper of the district's most important historical records reflects her commitment to the job.

Born in Stanley outside Perth and educated at the city's academy, Elspeth was moving towards an academic career before changing her mind.

"In Canada I decided what I really wanted to do was document history and make it accessible for other people to research,'' she told The Falkirk Herald.

''When I got home I was hired by Perth and Kinross Council's archivist department, initially as a volunteer and then as a temporary employee.

The next step was the post graduate diploma and after that jobs with
the Presbyterian Church in Canada Archive in Ontario and the National Archive of Scotland in Edinburgh.

''I joined Falkirk Council in 1992 as museum archivist and was appointed its first archivist four years later.

"My basic role, with the support of my staff in Callendar House, is to select, catalogue, preserve and make available for view important historical records.

''At the last count we had around 1200 linear metres of documents dating back to the 1500s and some 45,000 photographs.

''The people we deal with can range from a tenant looking for the legal proof needed to show they are entitled to buy their council house to helping someone tracing their family tree.

''But there's plenty of other things to do in between!

"Every day we work with important material donated by various sources including the public and business which help us paint an accurate picture of how Falkirk district evolved through the generations.

''From these contributions we are able to map the heritage of the are aby looking at how the population lived, where the people worked and how their lifestyle and culture was influenced by organisations including the Church.

''We also work closely with our schools on educational projects to inform pupils about the history of their ancestors and, of course, on a national level with the Royal Commission."

Elspeth (48), the former chairperson of the Society of Archivists Scotland, will be a commissioner until October 2012.

Her new role will involve two meetings a month with colleagues in Edinburgh to agree the future strategy of the commission which:

- Identifies, surveys and interprets the built environment of Scotland.

- Preserves, cares for and adds to the information and items of the
National Collection relating to the archaelogical, architectural and historical environment.

- Promotes public understanding and enjoyment of the information and items in the collection.

She said: "This was an opportunity to work with a body I respect and at the same time keep the job that I love. I'm delighted to have been accepted. It's an honour to be involved and will take my work onto a new level. I know I'm going to learn a lot."

Councillor Adrian Mahoney, convener of the council's environment and
heritage committee, said: "This is a particular honour because Elspeth is the first appointee to come from a local council. Her appointment speaks volumes about her skills and wealth of experience and she is to be congratulated."