National Records of Scotland
Edinburgh
Visitors to Doors Open Day on Saturday 26th September can:
- Take behind-the-scenes tours of General Register House and the Archivists’ Garden.
- Drop in for free taster sessions introducing the Scotland’s People family history resource.
- Visit our exhibition on its final day. ‘For the Safety of All: Scotland’s Lighthouses’ explores the history of Scotland’s lighthouses and the life-saving work of lightkeepers.
- Make badges using images from NRS’ archive collections.
- View Robert Adam’s magnificent Adam Dome.
- Speak to archivists and other specialists to answer questions about their role and the role of NRS.
Please note:
Tours will last approximately 40 minutes and, where possible, we ask visitors to book in advance via NRS’ Eventbrite page, informing us of any special access requirements: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/national-records-of-scotland-13420221531 (The tours will be published and available to book on Eventbrite in September).
A limited number of walk-in places will be available on each tour.
We ask booked attendees to arrive promptly for their tour time. If you are late, your place may be given away on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visitors should wear comfortable footwear. We regret that the tour route through the building is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobilities. The tour route is also unsuitable for under 5 year olds due to the wide stair balustrades in the building. All children must be supervised.
Except for tours, all other activities are drop-in or sign-up on the day, including the free taster sessions introducing Scotland’s People. Please note this activity has limited spaces with tickets available on the day.
DIGITAL ACTIVITY: An article will be published in September on NRS’ blog Open Book about our participation: https://blog.nrscotland.gov.uk
This article will link to a digital animation of General Register House from the present day to the 18th century; a video tour of New Register House and a 3D scan of the Archivists’ Garden which will allow users, who are unable to visit us in person, to explore the buildings and spaces remotely. These resources will also be promoted on our social media channels together with other material.
NRS’ blog Open Book: https://blog.nrscotland.gov.uk
NRS’ YouTube channel Learning playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC-m-JfN57bePH_itlIx84Sa8yVUQN3IN
National Records of Scotland (NRS) performs the registration and statistical functions of the Registrar General for Scotland and the archival functions of the Keeper of the Records of Scotland, including maintaining the archives as one of Scotland’s five National Collections.
Our purpose is to collect, preserve and produce information about Scotland's people and history and make it available to inform current and future generations.
Our records span from the 12th to the 21st centuries, touching on virtually every aspect of Scottish life. We are the repository for the public and legal records of Scotland, but we also have many local and private archives. We hold and facilitate access to one of the most varied archive collections in Britain.
Our collections are held in four buildings in Edinburgh. These include Robert Adam’s Neoclassical General Register House (GRH) and Robert Matheson’s Italianate New Register House (NRH), which are Category A listed and outstanding examples of 18th and 19th century architecture. Adam’s elegant General Register House is one of the oldest purpose-built archive buildings still in use in the world.
Nestled between GRH and NRH is the Archivists’ Garden. Designed to reflect the work of NRS, it is planted with 58 plant species - all connected in some way to Scotland's collective memory, whether through myth and folklore, heraldry, or association with individual famous Scots.
Digital Events
A Virtual Visit
We will link to a digital animation of General Register House from the present day to the 18th century; a video tour of New Register House and a 3D scan of the Archivists’ Garden which will allow our users to explore the buildings and spaces remotely. These resources will also be promoted on our social media channels together with other material.
Find our more about our work by visiting NRS’ YouTube channel Learning playlist
Explore the blog here!Digital Resources
Digital Exploration of the National Records of Scotland
National Records of Scotland Open Book blog links to a digital animation of General Register House from the present day to the 18th century, a video tour of New Register House, and a 3D scan of the Archivists’ Garden which will allow users, who are unable to visit us in person, to explore the buildings and spaces remotely.
Please also visit our YouTube channel's Learning Playlist here.
Facilities
Additional Access Information
Accessible access to General Register House is via the garden entrance in the Archivists’ Garden to the rear of the building.
Please note that the stairs in General Register House are unsuitable for under 5 year olds due to the wide balustrades. All children must be supervised.
Gallery
Key Information
40 minute tours of General Register House and the Archivists’ Garden, between 10.30 and 15.30. Where possible, we ask visitors to book in advance via NRS’ Eventbrite page, informing us of any special access requirements:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/national-records-of-scotland-13420221531 (The tours will be published and available to book on Eventbrite in September).
A limited number of walk-in places will be available on each tour.
We ask booked attendees to arrive promptly for their tour time. If you are late, your place may be given away on a first-come, first-served basis.
Visitors should wear comfortable footwear. We regret that the tour route through the building is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobilities.
Where to find us
Address
- HM General Register House
- General Register House, 2 Princes St
- Edinburgh
- EH1 3YY