National Records of Scotland (NRS) welcomes the results of the first Annual UK Archive Sector Survey.
The data collected in this 2025 survey provides the most current, complete picture of the archive sector in Scotland and across the UK. It is invaluable in helping NRS to understand archives around the country and to support them in future.
The survey data shows Scottish archive services are ahead of the UK average in the percentage of their collections which are fully catalogued. Conversely, Scottish archives are not as far along in their digital preservation journey as the UK average.
NRS will engage with sector groups on the survey results over the coming weeks and months.
44 Scottish archive services submitted responses, including national institutions, local authorities, universities, community and religious groups, independent schools estates and charities.
NRS and the Scottish Council on Archives partnered with The National Archives, the Welsh Government, Archives and Records Council Wales and Public Record Office of Northern Ireland to help create and analyse this survey.
Alison Byrne, NRS chief executive, said:
“National Records of Scotland is Scotland’s national archive. I’m delighted that we were able to support and provide funding for this UK-wide archives survey.
“Thank you to everyone in the Scottish archives sector who took part. Together, your data has helped to paint a valuable picture of the archive sector in Scotland in 2025.”
You can find out more about the survey on The National Archives website.
