National Library of Scotland Lectures

Short notice, but it's worth mentioning two interesting talks coming up at the National Library of Scotland [NLS]...

Firstly on 3 June, the curator of the John Murray Archive, David McClay, will be talking about Lord Byron and the papers relating to him held at the NLS.  The Murray family have built the largest and greatest collection of Byron papers and archives and these papers now form part of the John Murray archive at the NLS.  It should be a fascinating insight into this collection...

And then, for genealogists, there will be a family history workshop on 6 June which will take you through the resources that the NLS holds.

You can find out more and book tickets at www.nls.uk/events

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RCAHMS and the Skye Viking Shipyard

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland [RCAHMS] and marine archaeologists are investigating a 12th century Norse shipbuilding site at Loch na h-Airde on the Island of Skye’s Rubh an Dunain peninsula .

Early indications seem to suggest that it could contain timbers dating from the 11th century.

RCAHMS aerial survey team have been photographing the loch and the surrounding area.  It looks like it could be an exciting find!

More information can be found at the RCAHMS website.




Image: Jeff Ratcliff / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

National Records [Archives] of Scotland RHP Maps and Plans

After being closed for some time, the good news is that access to these records is now possible again...

"The plans collection, which was closed to access on 31 January, re-opens to the public on 4 May 2011, following the upgrading of storage at Thomas Thomson House at Sighthill and the relocation of plans from West Register House. As the transfer of plans between buildings is not yet complete however, those between the references RHP11667 and RHP19999 are not yet available. You are advised to check the current position with the staff of the Historical Search Room (tel: 0131 535 1334; email: enquiries@nas.gov.uk)."

The new access conditions to many of these will be under the NRS 'digitisation on demand' service.  The idea is that you will make a request to see a particular map/plan and if it has not already been digitised then the conservation department will make a digital image of the item available for viewing in the search room [with about ten days].  Any maps that cannot be imaged will still be accessible, but by appointment.

Further information on the service is available at the NAS maps and plans guide.



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Scottish Handwriting Poser

The latest one of my handwriting posers is now up on www.scottishhandwriting.com.
 

All of the posers on this website give you a great chance to see some original documents and practice your palaeography skills.

If you want to know all about things starting with the letter 'F' that were being imported to Scotland in the 1660s, then have a peek

 


Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net