National Archives

The National Archives is the UK government's official archive, containing over 1,000 years of history. We give detailed guidance to government departments and the public sector on information management and advise others about the care of historical archives.

National Library of Scotland

National Library of Scotland registration gives you free access to an extensive range of licensed digital collections.

National Records for Scotland

This is the official site covering Scottish Registration, Research, Statistics & Data and Record Keeping. Includes the Scottish National Archives.
You may be interested in the Kirk Session Records and the Sasine Records (transfer of a piece of land or building from one owner to another).

Scotland's Census

Scotland's Census paints an important picture of the characteristics of our population. The information is vital to help shape Scotland's future by informing key decisions on how services such as transport, housing, schools and hospitals are planned.

Scotlands Places

Search across three national databases to access historical resources relating to places throughout Scotland.  If you are looking for ancestors in the period 1865-1871, be sure to search the Ordnance Survey Name Books, as there is an entry for every place named on the OS maps of the time.

Scottish Documents

Including a searchable list of 300,000 Scottish wills from 1500-1875.

Scottish Handwriting

Online tuition for researchers reading manuscript historical records written in Scotland in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries

Scottish Register of Tartans

Provided by the National Records of Scotland, this site provides searchable information on all registered tartans.

The Scottish Archive Network.

Internet access to the written history of Scotland

Gazettes - Edinburgh, London, Belfast

Army promotions, awards etc

Historic Environment Scotland

A large collection of historical photgraphs, objects and records.