ScotlandsPlaces XML: bespoke XML or XML mapping?

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate web services (in the form of parameterised URLs), specifically in the context of the ScotlandsPlaces project. This involves cross-domain querying, data retrieval and display via the development of a bespoke XML standard rather than existing XML formats and mapping between them. Design/methodology/approach - In looking at the different heritage domain datasets as well as the metadata formats used for storage and data exchange, the ScotlandsPlaces; XML format is revealed as the most appropriate for this type of project. The nature of the project itself and the need for dynamic web services are in turn explored. Findings - It was found that, due to the nature of the project, the combination of a bespoke ScotlandsPlaces XML format and a set of matching web services was the best choice in terms of the retrieval of different domain datasets, as well as the desired extensible nature of the project. Research limitations/implications - It may have proven useful to investigate the datasets of more ScotlandsPlaces partners, but as yet only a limited number of first phase partners' datasets could be studied, as the second phase of the project has yet to begin. Originality/value - Rather than an information portal, the ScotlandsPlaces web site aggregates disparate types of record, whether site records, archival or otherwise, into a single web site and makes these records discoverable via geographical searching. Aggregated data are accessed through web service queries (using a bespoke XML format developed specifically for the project for data return) and allow partner organisations to add their datasets regardless of the organisational domain. The service also allows spatially referenced records to be plotted on to a geo-browser via a KML file, which in turn lets users evaluate the results based on geographical location.