The National Archives of Scotland (NAS)

The National Archives of Scotland (NAS) looks after the great riches of Scotland’s archival heritage and is one of the most varied collections of records in Britain. It is the main archive for sources on the history of Scotland as a separate kingdom, her role in the British Isles and the links between Scotland and many other countries over the centuries.

The NAS holds records spanning the 12th to the 21st centuries, touching on virtually every aspect of Scottish life. It is the repository for the public and legal records of Scotland but also accepts many local and private archives. It also advises Scottish government departments, institutions, businesses and private individuals on the care of their records.

The NAS is a valuable resource for the family historian. As well as the large series of wills and testaments running from the 16th century to the present day, the register of sasines which records land transfers and the records of the Church of Scotland parishes, individuals can be traced in the estate papers of landed families, court papers and taxation lists.

For further information on these and other records useful for family historians, consult the NAS website.

Back to top ^