National Records of Scotland (NRS) gives a glimpse into the lives of two celebrated Scottish poets with an informal display at General Register House in Edinburgh.
Featured are original birth, census, and death records relating to Mary MacPherson, known as Màiri Mhòr nan Òran, and Robert Garioch Sutherland, who wrote under the name Robert Garioch. Mary’s Gaelic name translates as Big Mairi of the Songs and she wrote in the language. Garioch wrote mostly in Scots.
Inspired by the passing of the Scottish Languages Act 2025, the display recognises the importance of both Gaelic and Scots to the nation’s cultural identity.
The original records trace key moments in the poets’ lives and include Mary MacPherson’s 1851 census entry, which records her family at Bank Street, Inverness, and her 1898 death entry in Portree.
For Robert Garioch, visitors can see his 1909 birth record from Bellevue Road, Edinburgh, and his 1921 census entry, where the 12-year-old. future poet is enumerated as a “scholar”.
NRS archivist Jocelyn Grant said: "This display is a rare opportunity to see physical examples of archives most commonly used by family historians. Visitors will be able to see the form and sheer size of a selection of records that are normally accessed as digital images, via our Scotland’s People service.
The records build a picture of the lives of these two poets, their families and where they lived.”
The display is located in the stunning Adam Dome at General Register House, 2 Princes Street, Edinburgh. It’s open to visitors Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. It will run until mid-April 2026. Entry is free.
Scotland's People is the official website for exploring government records and archives. Visit it to find official birth, death, and marriage records from 1855 onwards as well as census records, valuation rolls and much more.
