Mary MacPherson and Robert Garioch: in the archives
23 February – April 2026
General Register House, Adam Dome
Monday-Friday, 09:00-16:00
A small free display of records tracing the lives of two poets, Mary MacPherson (known as Màiri Mhór nan Òran), a Gaelic poet and bard, and Robert Garioch Sutherland (pseudonym Robert Garioch), who primarily wrote in Scots, are now on show in NRS’ Adam Dome in Edinburgh.
Inspired by the passing of the Scottish Languages Act 2025, which granted official status to both Gaelic and Scots for the first time, the display explores the lives of these poets and their work, and features examples of records most commonly used by family historians. For researchers, access to these records is normally limited to digital images made available via the NRS’ service Scotland’s People. In this instance, visitors have the rare opportunity to see physical examples of census records, as well a register of births, and a register of deaths.
Come along to find out more about Mary MacPherson and Robert Garioch, and how the archives can help you uncover more about your family history.
