Every year we estimate how many homes there are in Scotland, and also how many of those homes are either empty, or second homes. Our estimates are then used for planning things like housing and local services. Our latest estimates suggest there are now 2.58 million homes in Scotland. For every hundred homes in Scotland, … Continue reading Estimating the number of homes in Scotland
A 1920s family photograph album
As well as locating and surveying historical papers held in private hands, the National Register of Archives for Scotland (NRAS) is often in the position of trying to find a good home for archives. And sometimes this is not at all straightforward. Take for instance a photograph album bound in soft leather found in a … Continue reading A 1920s family photograph album
2021 – an online census
Did you know the Registrar General for Scotland is responsible for conducting the census in Scotland and has been since 1861?* And did you know the next census is due to take place in 2021? The role of Registrar General for Scotland sits with the Chief Executive of National Records of Scotland (NRS) and as … Continue reading 2021 – an online census
Birds nest manuscript
We have a number of curiosities in our archives, but one of the odder items is the contents of a birds' nest. No ordinary nest, this one, found in the roof of St Giles Cathedral in 1961, was lined with papers from Scotland's exchequer records. Keeper of the Records of Scotland from 1985-1990 Dr Athol … Continue reading Birds nest manuscript
Who was Thomas Thomson?
The names of some of our buildings may seem self-explanatory: it is fairly easy to understand why names like General Register House, West Register House, and New Register House were chosen. However, we are often asked about the name of our newest archive building, Thomas Thomson House, which is at Sighthill to the west of … Continue reading Who was Thomas Thomson?
Court photos show 1950s Glasgow life
You might expect the pictures contained within Sheriff court Records to be graphic or disturbing, showing the details of crimes and their victims. Of course, this is often the case – but sometimes the pictures can instead give us a glimpse into social or local history. In a payment case for damages for injuries occurring … Continue reading Court photos show 1950s Glasgow life
Three roads to Hampden?
Hampden Park is today known as the iconic home of Scotland’s national football team (and, of course, of Queen’s Park F.C.) However, did you know that there have been three different Hampden Parks since the formation of the SFA in 1873? Hampden Park #1 was the first home of Queen’s Park and they played there … Continue reading Three roads to Hampden?
A window into the 18th century: John Home’s estate plans
The NRS maps and plans collection contains many exceptional items, but we’re looking today at the estate plans of John Home. Home was a land surveyor who worked across Scotland during the mid to late 18th century. It was something of a golden age of surveying in Scotland – a time when estate plans were … Continue reading A window into the 18th century: John Home’s estate plans
What’s in a name?
The annual NRS publication on the most popular baby names in Scotland is always popular. But did you know that the policy and process behind the registration of those names is quite complicated, and different to that used by other countries? In France, for instance, until 1993 parents had to choose from a list of … Continue reading What’s in a name?
Scotland’s population is increasing
We’ve published figures today on Scotland’s increasing population. Over the last 20 years, the number of people living in Scotland has increased by 312,000 (6%). The latest estimate of the population is 5,404,700 at 30 June 2016, the highest level recorded. This was an increase of 31,700 (0.6%) people since the previous year. The increase … Continue reading Scotland’s population is increasing
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