Web features
Web features highlighting items with a focus on literature and language within National Library of Scotland collections. They contain interpretation and background information.
12 key Scottish plays
Overviews of key Scottish plays in contemporary Scottish theatre including:
- 'The Slab Boys'
- 'Mary Queen of Scots got her head chopped off'
- 'Black Watch'.
Site includes responses to the works and a selection of items from NLS relating to writing and performing the works.
Curriculum Areas: English (Advanced Higher).
Robert Burns
An introduction to the life and work of Robert Burns with additional information about collections relating to Burns, at NLS and further afield.
Curriculum Areas: A Curriculum for Excellence, Literacy and English; English (Advanced Higher)
Muriel Spark
NLS holds the Muriel Spark archive, which she used extensively to write her autobiography, 'Curriculum Vitae'. This site introduces her life and work, with a selection of images from the archive. You can also view catalogue lists of material in the archive. Recommended for students studying 'Curriculum Vitae' at Advanced Higher.
Curriculum Areas: English (Advanced Higher)
Robert Louis Stevenson
Biography of Robert Louis Stevenson, including a selection on manuscripts and a searchable online version of the first edition of 'Kidnapped' online to read.
Curriculum Areas: A Curriculum for Excellence, Literacy and English; English (Advanced Higher)
The write stuff
Photographs of key contemporary Scottish writers by Gordon Wright, with brief biographical details . A useful directory which gives an overview of contemporary Scottish literature.
Curriculum Areas: A Curriculum for Excellence, Literacy and English; English (Standard Grade, Higher, Advanced Higher)
Library video guides
Watch our video guides to find out how to access National Library of Scotland resources from home, school or in person.
The ideas factory
Plan the story you want to tell before you start writing it. Go to 'The ideas factory'
Themes in focus
Learn about the creative processes used by Scottish writer and artist Alasdair Gray.
Library favourites
Discover why Scots language is alive and well across all sectors of society. Watch video