A GROUP of Dunfermline volunteers are feeling heavenly after being nominated for the inaugural Scottish Heritage Angel Awards.

Dunfermline Carnegie Library and Galleries' (DCL&G) Dean of Guild Court Plan Volunteers were shortlisted in the 'Investigating and Recording' category for their work in creating a searchable archive resource charting Dunfermline's built heritage.

Over two years, the initiative has seen volunteers dedicate time to cataloguing and recording all 5000 records of Dunfermline's Dean of Guild Court plans, which span from 1880 to 1974.

The recent awards ceremony was attended by volunteers Ian Ross, Jim Stewart, Sandra Brown and Sue Mowat, as well as DCL&G's Lesley Botten and Lesley McNaughton.

Sue, a local historian, said: “These records cover a period when Dunfermline was growing rapidly and offer a unique insight into its built heritage.

“The detailed plans of single houses and new housing schemes add a lot to the study of our social history.

“For instance, it’s fascinating to see the 1960s’ home improvement trend with the addition of new bathrooms and loft extensions.

“The vast collection also illustrates what might have been, with plans for new buildings and schemes such as a dance hall and shop complex that were never realised.

“Local history research is a hobby which I find intensely interesting.”

Lesley McNaughton, volunteer project coordinator, added: “We like to think that our volunteers know how much they appreciated, but to nominate them for such a prestigious award seemed a great way to reinforce that.

“They are a lovely group of local people, who work quietly and diligently week in, week out, with no fuss – the Awards night was a chance to make a little bit if a fuss of them!”

The Scottish Heritage Angel Awards recognise the work of voluntary groups and individuals in protecting and celebrating Scotland's built heritage.

The awards are funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, and run by a partnership of Historic Scotland, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland, the Scottish Government, the Scottish Civic Trust, and Archaeology Scotland.