September marks a special time of year in Edinburgh. The summer is easing into autumn, the frenzied energy of the Fringe and International Festivals is calming, and the city prepares to open unique, interesting and significant buildings as part of Scotland’s largest free festival – Doors Open Days!
With so much choice, how do you decide which buildings to visit? We put our case forward to invite you to visit us, and learn what we do at National Records of Scotland (NRS) as we open the doors of General Register House on Saturday 26 September.
General Register House – what and where is it?
Situated at the foot of the North Bridge at the east end of Princes Street and standing proudly opposite the Balmoral Hotel, General Register House (GRH) is one of the most striking examples of Georgian architecture in the city. People pass it every day; rushing to work, shopping in town or meeting friends for a meal. An impressive and rather imposing building, its size may appear off-putting at first. They sometimes wonder ‘what’s inside?’ but are unsure if they are allowed to come in. The answer is an enthusiastic ‘yes’! Walk up the steps and through the front door to discover the jewel of the building – the magnificent Adam Dome. It is a rare person who is left unimpressed by the sight of the beautifully decorated rotunda.
Take your time this Doors Open Days to enjoy the space; bookshelves surround the walls, housing volumes of the Register of Sasines (which record the transfer of property and land in Scotland); look up at the balcony level with the original 18th century cast-iron railing made by Carron & Co. of Falkirk; and enjoy the plasterwork ceiling decorated with eight medallions and gold Scottish thistles.
What makes it special?
Register House is over 250 years old; the foundation stone was laid in 1774. It has a good claim to being one of the oldest purpose-built repositories still in use for its original function in the world. It holds and provides access to one of the most varied archive collections in Britain. The rotunda, or ‘Adam Dome’, named after the architect Robert Adam, was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, and is Adam’s highest and largest surviving room. It was designed to give access to the different parts of the building from one area.
In the centre of this space, which was conserved only a few years ago, sits our summer Fringe exhibition. Doors Open Days will provide one final chance to see it. ‘For the Safety of All: Scotland’s Lighthouses’ examines the construction of the world’s oldest offshore lighthouse, the Bell Rock, and displays original records documenting the disappearance of the three lightkeepers of the Flannan Isle Lighthouse in 1900. Our building is open to the public Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm, so this is a very rare opportunity to visit on a Saturday. If you’re usually working or busy during weekdays, this is your chance to come along – we’d love to see you here!
What can you see on Doors Open Days?
As well as the Adam Dome and our exhibition, we invite visitors to explore the Historical Search Room. Opened to the public in 1847, this is where records will be produced if you visit us in the future to consult archival material. A highlight of the day (for adults and children alike!) may be the badge maker. These badges will showcase images from our various archive collections, and you’re welcome to take one away as a memento of your visit.
Did you know that, alongside providing access to historical records, we also make available digital images of one of the best preserved genealogical collections of records in the world? This is through our Scotland’s People family history resource. This can be explored from anywhere online, or you can visit our Scotland’s People Centre here in GRH. On Doors Open Days we will be offering free, drop-in taster sessions so you can begin your genealogical journey (warning – it can be addictive!)
Finally, we will be offering free behind-the-scenes tours of GRH and the Archivists’ Garden. These will last around 40 minutes and, where possible, we ask visitors to book in advance. Please keep an eye on our Eventbrite page for tickets. A limited number of walk-in places will be available on each tour on the day.
What kind of archives can be accessed at NRS?
Once the excitement of Doors Open Days passes, you may wish to come back to undertake some research. We hold records from the 12th century to the present day, covering a wide range of aspects of Scottish history. Whether you are looking for a map or plan, church record, tax record, personal correspondence or court papers, we may have it here. Find out more about what we hold and how to access our records via the Records and archives section on the NRS website.
If you’re unable to visit us in person on 26 September, there are ways you can explore our buildings from the comfort of your own home. Time travel from the present day to the 18th century in our digital animation of GRH, highlighting the changes in the building over the centuries.
Take a look behind the scenes in our neighbouring building, New Register House (NRH), the first repository for Scotland’s register of vital events (births, deaths and marriages).
You may also enjoy learning more about the Archivists’ Garden. Nestled between GRH and NRH, it houses 59 plant species all connected in some way to Scotland’s collective memory, either through myth and folklore, heraldry or an association with a famous Scot. Discover more through an interview with the creators of the garden and via a 3D scan on the NRS website.
Find out more about what you can do at General Register House, 2 Princes Street, Edinburgh, on Doors Open Days. We will be open from 10 am to 4 pm on 26 September.
Open Book 