Should you have been on Edinburgh’s Princes Street, a little before noon on Monday 19 July 1784, you would have been greeted by an extraordinary sight. The elegant and imposing Register Office (now General Register House), the first purpose-built public records repository in Britain and Ireland and still the home of the National Records of … Continue reading The sky’s the limit: James Tytler and balloon-mania in the archives – part 1
Register House: the search for the site, 1760-1769
Register House, as it stood in 1790 after the completion of the facade, rotunda and half of the wings. Attributed to John Brown (1749-1787). (National Galleries Scotland, CC by NC) When the foundation stone of the new Register Office or Register House was laid on 27 June 1774, it was the culmination of a long … Continue reading Register House: the search for the site, 1760-1769
250th anniversary of General Register House: we’re going to need a bigger cake
Hidden in plain sight, General Register House (GRH) is one of the most prominent landmarks on Edinburgh’s New Town Princes Street, yet many do not know the significance of this building. Designed to house the records of the nation, it continues to hold and provide access to some of Scotland’s most essential and precious documents. … Continue reading 250th anniversary of General Register House: we’re going to need a bigger cake
Remembering the D-Day Landings: Group Captain James Stagg (1900-1975)
To mark 80 years since the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, we explore the pivotal role that Group Captain J M Stagg played in the success on the Allied troops landing on the coast of Normandy, France, in the start of the campaign to liberate Europe and defeat Germany. Photograph of British soldiers landing … Continue reading Remembering the D-Day Landings: Group Captain James Stagg (1900-1975)
Professor Margaret Fairlie (1891-1963)
Professor Margaret Fairlie was a leading medical professional in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology. She advocated for and advanced the treatments available for women’s health throughout the first half of the 20th century, and became the first woman to be appointed to a university professorship in Scotland. She was born to James and Marjory … Continue reading Professor Margaret Fairlie (1891-1963)
Morison’s Haven – Part 2
Digital Imaging Specialist Clare Stubbs continues her exploration of the archives to learn more about Morison’s Haven, a once-thriving port at Prestonpans in East Lothian, now long deserted. In 1877, plans were drawn up to not only expand the Prestongrange mining operations but to put down train tracks between the colliery and the harbour to … Continue reading Morison’s Haven – Part 2
Morison’s Haven – Part 1
Digital Imaging Specialist Clare Stubbs delves into the archives to learn more about Morison’s Haven, a once-thriving port at Prestonpans in East Lothian, now long deserted. For people travelling from Edinburgh to North Berwick along the curving lines of the East Lothian coast, there are hints of its industrial history dotted along the landscape. One … Continue reading Morison’s Haven – Part 1
Flannan Isles Lighthouse Keepers: The disappearance
Though three men dwell on Flannan IsleTo keep the lamp alight,As we steered under the lee, we caughtNo glimmer through the night.…..Aye: though we hunted high and low,And hunted everywhere,Of the three men’s fate we found no trace,Of any kind in any place,But a door ajar, and an untouched meal,And an overtoppled chair. Flannan Isle, … Continue reading Flannan Isles Lighthouse Keepers: The disappearance
Moving Pictures: an animated photograph
Coming across photographs amongst bundles of manuscripts is not uncommon within the archives of the National Records of Scotland (NRS). However, this one caught my attention - because when I followed the instructions printed on the mount - he smiled at me. Inscribed on the back: “Geo. France 12/4/17”, material within this collection suggests this … Continue reading Moving Pictures: an animated photograph
Digital Preservation Day – Preserving Our Own Records
Today is World Digital Preservation Day, celebrating work to preserve the world’s digital heritage. Most of the records National Records of Scotland (NRS) currently holds are paper documents such as files, books and letters. Modern records however are mostly “born digital” – they have been produced in a digital format, such as email, PDFs, … Continue reading Digital Preservation Day – Preserving Our Own Records
Open Book 