Where can I find information about Prisoner of War prisons and camps in Scotland?

The accommodation of significant numbers of prisoners of war first became an issue in the second half of the 18th century, especially during the Napoleonic Wars. Edinburgh Castle held French prisoners at times between 1756 and 1814, and French prisoners of war were employed in a variety of places, including the lead mines at Strontian in Argyll in the late 18th century. From 1796 prisoners of war, irrespective of service or nationality, were the responsibility of the Admiralty’s Sick and Hurt Board (later called the Transport Board). Most French prisoners of war were housed in England, especially in Dartmoor Prison, which was built between 1806 and 1809. By 1814 there were two prisoner of war camps in Scotland: at Penicuik and Perth. The site of the latter, including some of the buildings originally erected for the Napoleonic prisoners, were incorporated into the General Prison, built in Perth from 1839 onwards. For further details see William Sievwright, Historical Sketch of the Old Depot or Prison for French Prisoners of War at Perth (Wright, 1894).

During the First World War (1914-18) the War Office and the Foreign Office both had POW departments, but the former was attached to the Home Office, which ran internment camps, of which there were about 25 in Scotland. During the Second World War (1939-45) the War Office was responsible for all POWs, including those in over 20 camps and prisons in Scotland.

For records relating to Scottish POW camps and prisons, go to the website of The National Archives in London. <https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/> [accessed 24 April 2024]. Look for the research guide on Prisoners of War in British Hands and this will help you use the catalogue for this topic.