Scottish Archives Index
Index of Archive Services in Scotland
The index below provides information for some of the archival collections and Archive Services in Scotland. Archival repositories are listed by the region in which the service is located. It is by no means exhaustive.
Note that most archive services permit access to records only through prior arrangement, some by special permission, and a few only permit research to be conducted by the collection’s archivist in response to public queries, time permitting.
It is strongly recommended that you always contact an archive by email or telephone well in advance of any research visit. This enables the archivist to:
- look out, assess and prepare any material you wish to see
- ensure an archives team member is available to provide support
- offer additional information relating to the material in which you are interested such as how much material is available or peculiarities of language or handwriting you may encounter
- Advise if there may be additional items which could be of interest to your research
Please note that if you do not make contact with an archival repository in advance it is unlikely that you will be able to see archival material on the same day.
Note that not all Archive Services listed here add their catalogues to Your Scottish Archives. Those which do are indicated through *
National Archive services for Scotland
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives*
Address: Dunbar St, Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UJ
Website: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives/aberdeen-city-and-aberdeenshire-archives
Contact: archives@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book in advance
University of Aberdeen Archives*
Address: University of Aberdeen Collections, Sir Duncan Rice Library, Bedford Road, AB24 3AA
Website: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/collections/
Contact: specialcollections@abdn.ac.uk
Access: yes; please make an appointment in advance
Robert Gordon University Archives
Address: University Library, The Sir Ian Wood Building, Robert Gordon University, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ
Contact: library@rgu.ac.uk
Access: limited access; contact in advance
NHS Grampian Archives
Address: Sir Duncan Rice Library, Bedford Road, AB24 3AA
Website: https://www.nhsgrampian.org/work-with-us/professionals/library-services/nhs-grampian-archives-home-page/
Contact: gram.archives@nhs.scot
Access: Open; contact in advance
Angus
Angus Archives
Address: Hunter Library, Restenneth Priory, By Forfar, DD8 2SZ
Website: https://angusalive.scot/local-family-history/visit-us/
Contact: angusarchives@angusalive.scot
Access: Yes: book in advance
Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute Archives
Address: Lochgilphead Community Centre, Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, PA31 8QU
Website: https://liveargyll.co.uk/facility/archives/
Contact: archives@liveargyll.co.uk
Access: Yes: book in advance
Ayrshire
Ayrshire Archives
Addresses:
Ayrshire Archives HQ, South Harbour Street, Ayr, KA7 1JA
Burns Monument Centre: Kay Park, Kilmarnock, KA3 7RU
Townhouse: 66 High Street, Irvine, KA12 0AZ
Website: https://www.ayrshirearchives.org.uk/
Contact: archives@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book in advance
Royal Troon Golf Club
Address: 2 Craigend Road, Troon, Ayrshire, Scotland, KA10 6EP
Website: https://www.royaltroon.co.uk/
Contact: archivist@royaltroon.com
Access: Yes; contact in advance. By appointment only.
Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire Archives
Address: Speirs Centre, Primrose Place, Alloa, FK10 1AD
Website: https://www.clacks.gov.uk/culture/archives/
Contact: archives@clacks.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book in advance
Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway Heritage Services
Address: Ewart Library, Catherine Street, Dumfries, DG1 1JB
Website: https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/24609/Heritage-Service
Contact: heritage@dumgal.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collections
Dundee and Tayside
Dundee City Archives
Address: 21 City Square, Dundee DD1 3BY
Website: https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/service-area/corporate-services/democratic-and-legal-services/archives
Contact: archives@dundeecity.gov.uk
Access: Yes: by appointment only
University of Dundee Archives*
Address: Tower Building, University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Website: https://www.dundee.ac.uk/archives
Contact: archive@dundee.ac.uk
Access: Yes; please make an appointment
Abertay University Archive
Address: Abertay University, Bell Street, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 1HG
Website: https://archive.abertay.ac.uk/
Contact: archives@abertay.ac.uk
Access: Yes; contact in advance
East Dunbartonshire
East Dunbartonshire Archives*
Address: William Patrick Library, 2-4 West High Street, Kirkintilloch, G66 1AD
Website: https://www.edlc.co.uk/heritage-arts/archives
Contact: archives@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Access: Yes: by appointment only
East Lothian
East Lothian Archives*
Address: 15 Lodge St, Haddington, EH41 3DX
Website: https://www.johngraycentre.org/about/archives/
Contact: history@eastlothian.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collections
East Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire Archives
Address: N/A
Website: https://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/archives
Contact: Online enquiry form: https://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/archive-enquiry
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collections
Edinburgh
Edinburgh City Archives
Address: Level 1, City Chambers, 253 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ
Website: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/managing-information/edinburgh-city-archives-1/3
Contact: archives@edinburgh.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collections
Edinburgh Napier University Special Collections
Address: N/A
Website: https://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/our-location/our-campuses/special-collections
Contact: enusca@napier.ac.uk
Access: Yes; please make an appointment in advance
University of Edinburgh Special Collections*
Address: 6th Floor, Main Library, George Square, City, Edinburgh, EH8 9LJ
Website: https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/library-museum-gallery/crc/collections/archives/edinburgh-university-archives
Contact: is-crc@ed.ac.uk
Access: Yes; please make an appointment in advance
Heriot Watt University Archival Collections
Address: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, EH14 4AS
Website: https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/is/heritage/museum-and-archive.htm
Contact: heritage@hw.ac.uk
Access: Yes; please contact in advance
Lloyds Banking Group (Edinburgh Archives)*
Address: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Website: https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/who-we-are/our-heritage/our-companies.html
Contact: archives@Lloydsbanking.com
Access: Yes; please contact in advance. By appointment only
NatWest Group archives*
Address: NatWest Group Archives, 6 South Gyle Crescent Lane, Edinburgh, EH12 9EG
Website: https://www.natwestgroup.com/heritage/use-our-archives.html
Contact: archives@natwest.com
Access: Yes; please contact in advance. By appointment only
Abrdn (Standard Life) archives*
Address: No1 Exchange Crescent, Conference Square, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 8RA
Website: https://www.abrdn.com/en-gb/corporate/news/all-news/exploring-our-company-archive-online-catalogue-now-available
Contact: karyn.williamson@aberdeenstandard.com
Access: Yes; please contact in advance. By appointment only
Royal Yacht Britannia Trust
Address: Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH6 6JJ
Website: https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/
Contact: 0131 555 8800
Access: Restricted
Royal Scottish Academy
Address: RSA collections, Granton Art Centre, 242 West Granton
Website: https://www.royalscottishacademy.org/collections/research-contact/
Contact: collections@royalscottishacademy.org
Access: Open; please make an appointment in advance
Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Address: The Library, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, EDINBURGH, EH9 3HJ
Website: https://www.roe.ac.uk/roe/library/
Contact: library@roe.ac.uk
Access: Open; please make an appointment in advance
Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland
Address: Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8N
Website: https://rhass.org.uk/archive/
Contact: library@roe.ac.uk
Access: Open; please make an appointment in advance
Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh
Address: RCSEd Library and Archive, Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DW
Website: https://library.rcsed.ac.uk/
Contact: library@rcsed.ac.uk
Access: Open; please make an appointment in advance
Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh
Address: Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ
Website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/catalogues-digitised-material
Contact: library@rcpe.ac.uk
Access: Open; please make an appointment in advance
Royal College of Nursing
Address: 42 South Oswald Road, Edinburgh, EH9 2HH
Website: https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/heritage/catalogues-digitised-material
Contact: rcn.library@rcn.org.uk
Access: Open; please make an appointment in advance
Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
Address: 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, Scotland, UK
Website: https://atom.rbge.org.uk/
Contact: archives@rbge.org.uk
Access: Open; please make an appointment in advance
National Trust for Scotland Archives
Address: Edinburgh; various
Website: https://www.nts.org.uk/what-we-do/collections
Contact: iriches@nts.org.uk
Access: Open; please contact to make an appointment in advance
National Library of Scotland*
Address: George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW
Website: https://www.nls.uk/
Contact: enquiries@nls.uk
Access: Open; please contact to make an appointment in advance
Falkirk
Falkirk Archives
Address: Callendar House, Callendar Park, Falkirk, FK1 1YR
Website: https://www.falkirkleisureandculture.org/learning/archives/
Contact: archives@falkirk.gov.uk
Access: Temporarily closed: contact the archivist to make a research enquiry
Fife
Fife Archives
Address: Fife Collections Centre, Bankhead Central, Bankhead Park, Glenrothes, KY7 6GH
Website: https://www.onfife.com/libraries-archives/archives/
Contact: archive.enquiries@onfife.com
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Scotland’s Rural Colleges Archives
Address: SRUC Elmwood Campus, Carslogie Road, Cupar, Fife, GB KY15 4JB
Website: https://srucarchive.sruc.ac.uk/
Contact: archives@sruc.ac.uk
Access: Yes; contact in advance
St Andrews University Collections
Address: Richardson Research Library, Martyrs Kirk, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9AJ
Website: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/collections/
Contact: speccoll@st-andrews.ac.uk
Access: Yes; contact in advance
Glasgow
Glasgow City Archives*
Address: Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DN
Website: https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/libraries/city-archives
Contact: archives@glasgowlife.org.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment one week in advance to view collections
Glasgow Caledonian University Archives
Address: Glasgow Caledonian University Archive Centre, Sir Alex Ferguson Library, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA
Website: https://www.gcu.ac.uk/currentstudents/essentials/archives
Contact: archives@gcu.ac.uk
Access: Yes; please make an appointment in advance
The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections*
Address: The Whisky Bond, 2 Dawson Road, Glasgow, G4 9SS
Website: https://gsaarchives.net/
Contact: ARCHIVES@GSA.AC.UK
Access: Yes; please make an appointment in advance
University of Glasgow Archives and Special Collections*
Address: Archives & Special Collections, University of Glasgow, Library, Hillhead Street, Glasgow, G12 8QE
Website: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/archivespecialcollections/
Contact: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk
Access: Yes; please contact in advance
Royal Conservatoire Scotland Archives*
Address: 100 Renfrew St, Glasgow, G2 3DB
Website: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/why-rcs/campusandfacilities/archives/
Contact: archives@rcs.ac.uk
Access: Yes; contact in advance
Strathclyde University Archives and Special Collections*
Address: University of Strathclyde, Andersonian Library, Curran Building, 101 St James Road, Glasgow G4 0NS
Website: https://www.strath.ac.uk/professionalservices/archives/
Contact: archives@strath.ac.uk
Access: Yes; contact in advance
University of the West of Scotland Archives*
Address: Special Collections and Archives, Paisley Campus, Paisley, PA1 2BE, Scotland, United Kingdom
Contact: library@uws.ac.uk
Access: Yes; contact in advance
Scottish Music Centre Archive
Address: City Halls, Candleriggs, Glasgow, Scotland, G1 1NQ
Website: https://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/the-collection
Contact: info@scottishmusiccentre.com
Access: Yes; contact in advance
Scottish Jewish Archives Centre*
Address: Garnethill Synagogue, 129 Hill Street, Glasgow, Scotland, G3 6UB
Website: https://www.sjac.org.uk/
Contact: info@sjac.org.uk
Access: Yes; contact in advance. By appointment only.
Royal Faculty of Procurators Glasgow
Address: 12 Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow, G2 1BT
Website: https://www.rfpg.org/
Contact: Library@rfpg.org
Access: Open; please make an appointment in advance
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Glasgow
Address: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, 232-242 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5RJ
Website: https://heritage.rcpsg.ac.uk/collections/show/6
Contact: library@rcpsg.ac.uk
Access: Open; please make an appointment in advance
Moving Image Archive*
Address: Kelvin Hall, 1445 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8AW
Website: https://www.nls.uk/collections/moving-image-archive/
Contact: kelvinhall@nls.uk
Access: Yes, To access paper archive contact in advance
Highlands
Highland Archive Service: Highland Archive Centre
Address: Highland Archive Centre, Bught Road, Inverness
Website: https://www.highlifehighland.com/highland-archive-centre/
Contact: archives@highlifehighland.com
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Highland Archive Service: Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre
Address: Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre, Portree
Website: https://www.highlifehighland.com/skye-and-lochalsh-archive-centre/
Contact: skyeandlochalsh.archives@highlifehighland.com
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Highland Archive Service: Lochaber Archive Centre
Address: Lochaber Archive Centre, Fort William
Website: https://www.highlifehighland.com/lochaber-archive-centre/
Contact: lochaber.archives@highlifehighland.com
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Nucleus: The Nucleus and Caithness Archives
Address: Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives, Wick Airport
Website: https://www.highlifehighland.com/nucleus-nuclear-caithness-archives/
Contact:
Caithness Archives: north.highlandarchive@highlifehighland.com
Nucleus: nucleus.archive@nda.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment at least two days in advance to view collections
University of the Highlands and Islands Archives
Address: https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/about-uhi/university-archive/
Contact: philippa.currie@uhi.ac.uk
Access: Yes; contact in advance
St John the Divine Cathedral Oban
Address: George Street, Oban, Scotland, PA34 5DJ
Website: https://www.stjohnsoban.org.uk/
Contact: provostoban@anglican.org
Access: Yes; contact in advance. By appointment only
Inverclyde
Inverclyde Archives
Address: The Watt Institution, 15 Kelly Street, Greenock, PA16 8JX
Website: https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/heritage-services/collections/archives
Contact: wattinstitution@inverclyde.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Midlothian
Midlothian Archives
Address: Dalkeith Library and Arts Centre, 2 White Hart Street, Dalkeith, EH22 1AE
Website: https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/458/local_and_family_history/30/midlothian_archives/2
Contact: dalkeith.library@midlothian.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Moray
Moray Local Heritage Services
Address: Elgin Library, Cooper Park, Elgin, IV30 1HS
Website: http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_1537.html
Contact: heritage@moray.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Na h-Eileanan Siar (The Western Isles / Outer Hebrides)
Tasglann Nan Eilean (Hebridean Archives)
Address: Castle Grounds, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0XS
Website: https://www.outerhebridesheritage.org.uk/collection/archive-collections-held-by-outer-hebrides-archive-service/
Contact: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collections
North Lanarkshire
North Lanarkshire Archives
Address: North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre, High Road, Motherwell, ML1 3HU, Scotland, United Kingdom
Website: https://culturenl.co.uk/libraries/archives-and-local-history/north-lanarkshire-archives/
Contact: heritagecentre@culturenl.co.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Orkney
Orkney Library and Archives
Address: 44 Junction Road, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1AG
Website: https://orkneylibrary.org.uk/
Contact: archives@orkney.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Perthshire
Perth and Kinross Archives
Address: A K Bell Library, York Place, Perth, PH2 8EP, Scotland
Website: https://www.culturepk.org.uk/archive-local-family-history/
Contact: archives@culturepk.org.uk
SSE Heritage collections
Address: SSE Heritage, SSE Corporate Affairs, Inveralmond House, 200 Dunkeld Road, Perth, PH1 3AQ
Website: https://www.sseheritage.com/
Contact: heritage@sse.com
Access: Yes; please contact in advance. By appointment only
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire Archives
Address: Studio 907, Abbeymill Business Centre, 12 Seedhill Road, Paisley
Website: https://libcat.renfrewshire.gov.uk/iguana/www.main.cls?p=13961a65-033a-4fdd-b6b1-cd91360ede1d&v=905d9a7c-b1db-4a22-90ec-e3bdde1e4328
Contact: heritage@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders Archives
Address: Live Borders, Melrose Road, Galashiels, TD1 2DU
Website: https://www.liveborders.org.uk/culture/archives/
Contact: localhistory@liveborders1.org.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Shetland
Shetland Archives
Address: Hay’s Dock, Lerwick, Shetland, ZE1 0WP
Website: https://www.shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk/collections/archive
Contact: info@shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire Archives
Address: South Lanarkshire Council Archives and Records Centre, 30 Hawbank Road, East Kilbride, G74 5EX
Website: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200165/local_and_family_history/588/records_and_archives
Contact: archives@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collection
Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire Archives
Address: 5 Borrowmeadow Road, Springkerse Industrial Estate, Stirling, FK7 7UW
Website: https://www.stirling.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/libraries-and-archives/archives/
Contact: archive@stirling.gov.uk
Access: Yes: some drop–in services available; booking in advance to see records is advisable
University of Stirling Archives
Address: Library, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland UK
Website: https://collections.stir.ac.uk/archive-collections/
Contact: archives@stir.ac.uk
Access: Yes; contact in advance
West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire Archives
Address: Heritage Centre, Clydebank Library, Dumbarton Road, Clydebank, G81 1XH
Website: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/libraries/archives-family-history/archives-collections/
Contact: archives@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collections
West Lothian
West Lothian Archives
Address: West Lothian Council Archives and Records, Kirkton Service Centre, 1 Lister Road, Livingston, EH54 7BL
Website: https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/44853/Archives-and-Records-Management
Contact: archive@westlothian.gov.uk
Access: Yes: book an appointment to view collections