Robert Burns is the last of the four Famous Scots from the Past featured in our Fringe Festival exhibition this year. With limited space available, the challenge has been to choose a single document that helps us get closer to Scotland’s national poet. We started by considering how the official records, in which NRS is so … Continue reading Robert Burns (1759-1796) – the Poet
Annual Review – Population & Migration
Each year since 1855, National Records of Scotland has published “Scotland’s Population”, providing an annual overview of the latest demographic trends. In this post, statistician Daniel Burns summarises the latest migration trends in Scotland. Scotland’s population is at its highest recorded level of 5.4 million, growing by 5% over the past ten years. This increase … Continue reading Annual Review – Population & Migration
A tale of a Government cat
While the exploits of Whitehall Cats – Palmerston and Larry most recently – have been recently making the news, cats in Government employ are nothing new. In fact, here at National Records of Scotland, we have evidence of a feline curiosity – a cat tasked with protecting records more than three centuries ago. The Exchequer … Continue reading A tale of a Government cat
Annual Review – Life Expectancy
Each year since 1855, National Records of Scotland has published the Registrar General’s Annual Review, providing an annual overview of the latest demographic trends. NRS statistician Maria Kaye summarises what we know about life expectancy in Scotland, as found in “Scotland’s Population 2016” – the 162nd Annual Review. The most recent life expectancy figures published … Continue reading Annual Review – Life Expectancy
Annual Review – Scotland’s Households
Each year since 1855, National Records of Scotland has published the Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends, an overview of all the statistics we have gathered. NRS statistician Amelia Brereton summarises our findings on Scotland’s households, as found in Scotland’s Population 2016 - the 162nd Annual Review. Scotland’s population is growing and ageing. This … Continue reading Annual Review – Scotland’s Households
Scotland’s Changing Population
National Records of Scotland (NRS) today publishes ‘Scotland’s Population 2016 – the Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends’, alongside an infographic booklet which summarises the key trends in Scotland’s population. Tim Ellis, the Registrar General of Scotland, said: “The population of Scotland is at its highest ever at 5.4 million. It has grown by … Continue reading Scotland’s Changing Population
New PRSA Assessment Mechanism
Under the Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011(PRSA) the Keeper of the Records of Scotland, NRS' chief executive Tim Ellis, assesses and agrees records management plans submitted by public authorities. Over 150 plans have been agreed to date, the majority under improvement. The PRSA Assessment Team, in consultation with our stakeholders, have now developed a user-friendly tool … Continue reading New PRSA Assessment Mechanism
Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587)
“The daughter of debate that discord aye doth sow” Elizabeth I, from her sonnet ‘The Doubt of Future Foes’ referring to Mary Queen of Scots During her lifetime Mary Queen of Scots was a highly controversial monarch and she continues to divide opinion today. When we consider her reign, we often focus on the … Continue reading Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587)
Sir William Arrol (1839-1913) – The Engineer
A titan of engineering and construction, William Arrol established his company in the early 1870s, when Glasgow was developing as an industrial city and the revolutionary Siemens Martin process was enabling the mass production of cheap steel. Arrol made his name with the construction of the Forth Bridge (1890), and is also known for the … Continue reading Sir William Arrol (1839-1913) – The Engineer
Madeleine Hamilton Smith (1835-1928) – The Accused
On 30 June 1857 the trial of Madeleine Smith began. A young woman from a prosperous Glasgow family, Smith was charged with, on three separate occasions, administering arsenic or other poison to Pierre Emile L’Angelier with intent to kill, twice in February and once in March 1857. It was this accusation and the subsequent … Continue reading Madeleine Hamilton Smith (1835-1928) – The Accused
Open Book 