This site is in development. Help us improve it using our feedback form.

National Library of Scotland

Search our collections

Map images

Over 400,000 historic maps of the UK and Ireland and beyond, in zoomable high resolution, with tools to find, compare and annotate.
Close-up photo of a map.

Archives and manuscripts

Unpublished materials, from personal and writer archives to business records.
Close-up of an intricately illustrated manuscript with rich colours.

Moving Image Archive

Moving images from home movies to documentaries and from industry to entertainment.
Black and white still of a man holding a super-8 camera up to his face.

Browse digitised items and resources

Digital gallery

View a selection of digitised items from our world-class collections, including books, maps, films and more.

eResources

Access online resources to help you in work, research or leisure, wherever you live in Scotland. Find books, journals, newspapers, and much more.

Need help getting started?

Find out all about our collections, our catalogues, and how to use them.

The last letter of Mary, Queen of Scots

Read about the emotional farewell from a queen who claimed martyrdom and a rightful crown.
Close-up of Mary's last letter, written in French and showing her signature.

Mary Shelley and the Scottish Gothic Tradition

Read about the profound impact Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' has had on literature and culture.
Black illustration of a simplified Frankestein's monster against a green background.

From morse code to Shirley Temple: Unboxing hidden collections

Why did 17th-century Royal Proclamations share a box with Foxy Grandpa comics? Uncover the mystery of the Library’s unusual ‘Series 7 collection’.
A collection of vintage items including comic books ("Pip," "Roisin," "Percy"), a vinyl record, a Shirley Temple book, "British Air Forces," and a "Moscow News" newspaper, all arranged together with other printed materials.

Discover endless stories and resources.

Join the Library to get access to our reading rooms, visit us to get a library card, preorder books online and access our digital resources wherever you are and at anytime you need them.
Join

Support your national Library

Your donation preserves Scotland's rich heritage, ensuring that our world-renowned resources remain accessible to future generations. Every gift, large or small, makes a difference.
Donate today