The National Library of Scotland: A timeline
A timeline of over 100 years of knowledge and discovery.
1689 – The beginning
It all started with the Advocates Library. This library was created for members of the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland. Advocates are a type of lawyer in Scotland who represent people in court. The Library supported Scotland's legal profession through its book collection. It also collected non-legal books. Over time, this collection grew.
1710 – A landmark in copyright law
The Copyright Act gave the Library the right to claim a copy of every book published in Britain. Known as legal deposit, this practice has been key to preserving Scotland's literary and historical record.
1925 – The birth of the National Library
The National Library of Scotland became official through an Act of Parliament, transforming it from a private institution to a public resource. The Advocates Faculty donated all of its non-law collections to the Library. These collections contained 750,000 items.
The first Librarian
The first Librarian for the National Library of Scotland was William Dickson. He was in this role from 1925 to 1931. The first ticket (i.e. entry to the library) was given in October of 1925 to Donald Ross, a minister of religion in Stirling. This allowed him to use the Library for three months. The very first ticket was issued on Advocates Library stationery as the official stationery for the National Library had not yet arrived.
1937 – The George IV Bridge building begins
Construction began on the George IV Bridge site to house the national collection. However, the project was halted during World War Two. Some of the Library's most valuable items were moved to secret locations in the countryside for protection.
1956 – A modern home for Scotland's knowledge
The George IV Bridge building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II, providing a modern home for Scotland's literary and historical treasures.
1976 – The Scottish Film Archive is founded
The Scottish Film Archive, now known as the Moving Image and Sound Archive, was established by the Scottish Film Council to collect and preserve Scotland's rich film heritage, with footage dating back to 1895.
1995 – Growth at Causewayside
The Library's Causewayside Building Phase 2 was completed and opened, vastly increasing book storage and research facilities. This helped accommodate Scotland's growing collections, including rare manuscripts and modern publications. Today, it holds over two million maps, including the first printed map of Scotland (c. 1560) and military maps used in historic battles.
1996 – The Library website is launched
The Library joins the online world by launching it's first version of this website.
2006 – The John Murray Archive: A literary treasure
One of the Library's most significant acquisitions was the John Murray Archive, a collection of over 150,000 manuscripts and letters from some of history's greatest literary figures, including:
Lord Byron – Personal letters and drafts of his poetry
Charles Darwin – Early drafts of On the Origin of Species
Jane Austen – Correspondence with her publishers
David Livingstone – Writings from his African explorations
Read more about the John Murray Archive
2007 – The Scottish Screen Archive joins the Library
The Scottish Screen Archive, originally founded as the Scottish Film Archive in 1976, became part of the National Library of Scotland. Now known as the Moving Image Archive, it preserves over 100 years of Scottish film and television history. The collection includes everything from Gaelic storytelling and home movies to major historical events captured on film.
2012 – National Library of Scotland Act
The National Library of Scotland 2012 Act came into law. This replaced the 1925 Act which established the Library.
2013 – Legal deposit for digital publications
The Legal Deposit Libraries (Non-Print Works) Regulations was extended to include digital publications, allowing the Library to collect and preserve websites, e-books, and online journals.
2016 – The National Library at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow
A major expansion saw the opening of the Kelvin Hall site, home to Scotland's moving image and sound collection and one of the world's leading digital access libraries. This facility allows visitors to explore historical footage, manuscripts, and books in a modern digital format.
2019 – The Ian Rankin Archive arrives
Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, creator of Inspector Rebus, donated his personal archive, featuring drafts, notebooks, and unpublished materials, offering a unique insight into one of Scotland’s most successful contemporary authors.
2021 – A new National Librarian
Amina Shah was appointed as the first female National Librarian and Chief Executive, bringing a new era of digital expansion, accessibility, and inclusivity.
2025 – Celebrating 100 Years!
The National Library of Scotland celebrates its centenary, marking a century of preserving, digitising, and sharing Scotland's history, literature, and cultural heritage.
Why this matters
From manuscripts hidden during World War Two to modern digital archives, the National Library of Scotland has played a crucial role in preserving and shaping Scottish heritage. With over 30 million items, including rare books, maps, photographs, and films, it continues to be a world-class centre for research and knowledge.