Warning This contains materials and references to homophobic language and themes which may be upsetting for some individuals. Please take this into account before reading. 21 June 2025, marks the 25th anniversary of the repeal of the law known as Section 28 (otherwise known as Clause 28 or Section 2A). In this article, the bill … Continue reading Section 28: The introduction and effects
The Perth Prison Criminal Lunatic Department
Topics, Words and Language featured Perth Prison Criminal Lunatic Department Prisoners or Patients? Criminal Insanity in Victorian Scotland Prisoner-patient: Marjory McKercher or McGregor Diagnosis A Guardian Resources used/further reading Mental Health Support Records from the Perth Prison Criminal Lunatic Department (CLD) Case Books (HH21/48), covering admissions from 1846 -1902 have been added to Scotland’s People … Continue reading The Perth Prison Criminal Lunatic Department
100 Years of Scottish Rugby at Murrayfield
Rugby Union, Five Nations Championship - England v Scotland. The Scotland team, 20 March 1926, left to right: (back row) ?, William Simmers, David Kerr, James Ireland, ?, James Graham, ?, Ian Smith (front row) James Dykes, Herbert Waddell, John Bannerman, Dan Drysdale, Doug Davies, JW Scott (on the ground) James Nelson, John Paterson. PA … Continue reading 100 Years of Scottish Rugby at Murrayfield
A lover’s knot: Valentine’s Day in the archives
National Records of Scotland, Papers of James Basley. Courtesy of Lindsays, GD1/1195/10 Archives hold evidence of many things. Organisations, people, events, transactions and, of course, relationships. While many records can illuminate the actions of people or a chain of events, some give tantalising glimpses that ask more questions than they answer. This poem, written inside … Continue reading A lover’s knot: Valentine’s Day in the archives
The NRS guide to the perfect Burns Supper
Burns Night celebrations are held every year on 25 January to mark the Scottish poet Robert Burns’ birthday. The evening usually includes music, food and performances of our national poet’s work. Delving into our archives, we have put together our own step-by-step guide to the perfect Burns Night Supper. The first Burns Night The first … Continue reading The NRS guide to the perfect Burns Supper
Preserving Scotland’s National Treasures: The Declaration of Arbroath, 1320
Some of the most treasured records in National Records of Scotland collections are centuries old. They require meticulous care to ensure they’re preserved for future generations, and never more so than when they are publicly displayed. The Declaration of Arbroath is over seven centuries old. Conservator Hazel de Vere tells us about the challenges of … Continue reading Preserving Scotland’s National Treasures: The Declaration of Arbroath, 1320
The illusive life of plasterer Thomas Clayton Junior
As General Register House celebrates its 250th anniversary, now seems an opportune moment to shed light on those who helped to create the building and its interiors. Thomas Clayton Junior (1743-1793) was the plasterer responsible for decorating the famous central dome as well as numerous other walls within the building. Frequently confused with his father, … Continue reading The illusive life of plasterer Thomas Clayton Junior
The deadly warning shot
Did Thamboo know that the revolver was loaded? That was the question which centred around the prisoner’s case when it came to The High Court of Justiciary, Edinburgh, in April 1902. Thamboo (also known as Thumby or Thumby Joseph) was a 24 year old messroom steward on board the Steamship Ava when it arrived on … Continue reading The deadly warning shot
Doors Open Days 2024
This year, National Records of Scotland (NRS) marks the 250th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of General Register House (GRH); the first purpose-built public records repository in the British Isles. It’s fitting that in this celebratory year, we will take part in our first in-person Edinburgh and East Lothian Doors Open Days … Continue reading Doors Open Days 2024
Dr Jainti Dass Saggar
Jainti Dass Saggar (1898-1954) was a medical practitioner and Labour politician. Born 6 September 1898 in Deharru, Punjab, India, he was one of six children to parents Ram Saran Dass Saggar (1870-1943) and Sardhi Devi Uppal (1873-1960). Studying medicine at Lahore Medical College, he made the lengthy, 26-day journey to Scotland in 1919 to continue … Continue reading Dr Jainti Dass Saggar
Open Book 