Events, Talks and Visits

Doors Open Day - Saturday 28 September 2024

Book tours online

National Records of Scotland (NRS) provides its public services in one of Scotland’s greatest treasures, General Register House. Designed by renowned architect Robert Adam, the foundation stone for the building was laid on 27 June 1774 and this year marks its 250th anniversary. 

It is the first purpose-built, public records repository in the British Isles and has a good claim to being one of the oldest purpose-built repositories in the world, still in use for its original function.

For Doors Open Day on Saturday 28 September visitors can:

• Take behind-the-scene tours of the building
• Sign-up for free taster sessions introducing the Scotland’s People family history service
• View the exhibition ‘A Proper Repository: General Register House 1774-2024’
• View Robert Adam’s magnificent Adam Dome

Please note: Tours will last approximately 40 minutes and must be booked in advance. 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. 

Except for tours, all other activities are drop-in or sign-up on the day, including the free taster sessions introducing Scotland’s People. These will be limited to six people and spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Doors Open Day: Scotland's People free taster sessions - Saturday 28 September 2024

For Doors Open Day the National Records of Scotland’s (NRS) family history service, Scotland’s People, will be offering free taster sessions.

Each session will last 45 minutes and is designed to provide a basic introduction to the service, including:

• How to create an account (if required)
• An overview of the records available on Scotland’s People
• A brief introduction to statutory records, Old Parish Registers and Census records
• How to complete a basic search and refine the search using search tools, selecting districts etc.
• Research guides
• Cover costs, fees and how to book a seat

Taster sessions will run at:

• 10:30
• 11:30
• 13:30
• 14:30

Spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 

*Please note, these taster sessions are designed for those new or unfamiliar with the services of Scotland’s People. 

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
Book Online

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.

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.