Events, Talks and Visits

Public Tour: 250th anniversary of General Register House

In-person only

19 September, 5.00-6.00pm

23 October, 11.30-12.30pm

20 November, 12.00-1.00pm
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This year, National Records of Scotland (NRS) marks the 250th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of General Register House on the 27th June 2024. One of Scotland’s most important public buildings, General Register House, has been the home of the nation’s archives for over two centuries and continues to provide public access to Scotland’s documentary history. Designed by Robert Adam, it opened its doors in 1789. The first purpose-built, public record repository in Britain and Ireland, it has a good claim to being the oldest purpose-built archive in Europe still being used for its original function. 

To celebrate, we are offering several public tours. The history of this unique building, its place on Edinburgh Princes Street, and its continuing role as keeper of the nation’s archives, will be explained as attendees explore the striking central chamber, the Adam Dome, and are taken behind the scenes.

Tours will last approximately 40 minutes and must be booked in advance. Please note: visitors should wear comfortable footwear. We regret that the tour route through the building is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

4 December 2024, 1.30-2.30pm, General Register House. Hybrid event
200 years of football in Edinburgh
Andy Mitchell, sports historian
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This year marks 200 years since the Foot-Ball Club kicked off in Edinburgh, the world’s first known organisation dedicated to football. It was founded in December 1824 by John Hope, whose meticulous records of the club’s activities are preserved in the National Records of Scotland (NRS) among his extensive personal archive. This talk will celebrate the club’s bicentenary by exploring its origins, its members and its legacy, placing it firmly in the pantheon of association football heritage.

A small display of original records will be on show from John Hope’s archive for those attending in-person. 

There will be time for questions at the end.

Book online

Evening Class

Scottish Handwriting 1500-1700

Each year, NRS runs evening classes in palaeography on behalf of the University of Edinburgh's Office of Lifelong Learning. This practical course in Scottish Handwriting covering the period 1500-1700 is taught by archivists from NRS at General Register House in Edinburgh. The course runs for 10 weeks on Tuesday evenings from September with a second 10 week term starting in the following January. More information can be found on the University of Edinburgh's Short Courses pages, where you can also enrol onto the course.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we hope that the next course will commence in January 2025 and the follow on course in Spring 2025. For more information on the course, please contact: [email protected]

Learning

National Records of Scotland’s (NRS) Outreach and Learning department supports learning for all age groups. Our Services for Schools are designed to support the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence and National Qualifications. NRS staff can also provide specialist talks to interested groups.

If you have any enquiries about our services, please contact: [email protected].

Past NRS talks

If you have missed one of our recent public talks, many can be viewed on the NRS YouTube channel.