National Library of Scotland
@natlibscot.bsky.social
Scotland’s living memory. If you can think of it, we probably have it.
Pinned
From 23 January, Perth Museum will be showing one of the jewels in our collections – Mary, Queen of Scots’ Last Letter 📜✒️
Ever wondered what secrets lie in a map? 🗺️
Join us for a day dedicated to all things cartographic. Get a behind-the-scenes look at our map collections, attend talks, and get hands-on with our drop-in activities!
📅 6 February 2026
⏰ 10:30am-4:00pm
Plan your visit > www.nls.uk/whats-on/map...
Join us for a day dedicated to all things cartographic. Get a behind-the-scenes look at our map collections, attend talks, and get hands-on with our drop-in activities!
📅 6 February 2026
⏰ 10:30am-4:00pm
Plan your visit > www.nls.uk/whats-on/map...
February 4, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Ever wondered what secrets lie in a map? 🗺️
Join us for a day dedicated to all things cartographic. Get a behind-the-scenes look at our map collections, attend talks, and get hands-on with our drop-in activities!
📅 6 February 2026
⏰ 10:30am-4:00pm
Plan your visit > www.nls.uk/whats-on/map...
Join us for a day dedicated to all things cartographic. Get a behind-the-scenes look at our map collections, attend talks, and get hands-on with our drop-in activities!
📅 6 February 2026
⏰ 10:30am-4:00pm
Plan your visit > www.nls.uk/whats-on/map...
What? Exploring the Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots
But really, what? A display of original material from Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead exploring Mary’s story and legacy
Where? AK Bell Library, Perth
When? From today, Friday 23 January
How to visit? www.culturepk.org.uk/library/ak-b...
How much? Free
But really, what? A display of original material from Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead exploring Mary’s story and legacy
Where? AK Bell Library, Perth
When? From today, Friday 23 January
How to visit? www.culturepk.org.uk/library/ak-b...
How much? Free
January 23, 2026 at 4:01 PM
What? Exploring the Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots
But really, what? A display of original material from Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead exploring Mary’s story and legacy
Where? AK Bell Library, Perth
When? From today, Friday 23 January
How to visit? www.culturepk.org.uk/library/ak-b...
How much? Free
But really, what? A display of original material from Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead exploring Mary’s story and legacy
Where? AK Bell Library, Perth
When? From today, Friday 23 January
How to visit? www.culturepk.org.uk/library/ak-b...
How much? Free
What? The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots
Where? Perth Museum.
When? From today, 23 January
Why? A rare chance to see an evocative treasure and a legendary piece of Scottish history.
How? perthmuseum.co.uk/plan-your-vi...
📷 Julie Howden
Where? Perth Museum.
When? From today, 23 January
Why? A rare chance to see an evocative treasure and a legendary piece of Scottish history.
How? perthmuseum.co.uk/plan-your-vi...
📷 Julie Howden
January 23, 2026 at 12:45 PM
What? The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots
Where? Perth Museum.
When? From today, 23 January
Why? A rare chance to see an evocative treasure and a legendary piece of Scottish history.
How? perthmuseum.co.uk/plan-your-vi...
📷 Julie Howden
Where? Perth Museum.
When? From today, 23 January
Why? A rare chance to see an evocative treasure and a legendary piece of Scottish history.
How? perthmuseum.co.uk/plan-your-vi...
📷 Julie Howden
We were delighted to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to the Library today. The Queen was here to officially launch the National Year of Reading in Scotland.
Led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, the UK-wide campaign aims to help people rediscover the joy of reading.
Led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, the UK-wide campaign aims to help people rediscover the joy of reading.
January 19, 2026 at 5:20 PM
We were delighted to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to the Library today. The Queen was here to officially launch the National Year of Reading in Scotland.
Led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, the UK-wide campaign aims to help people rediscover the joy of reading.
Led by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, the UK-wide campaign aims to help people rediscover the joy of reading.
📜 A queen's final words.
In one week, Mary, Queen of Scots' last letter, written just six hours before her execution, goes on public display in a once-in-a-generation exhibition at Perth Museum.
In one week, Mary, Queen of Scots' last letter, written just six hours before her execution, goes on public display in a once-in-a-generation exhibition at Perth Museum.
January 16, 2026 at 10:01 AM
📜 A queen's final words.
In one week, Mary, Queen of Scots' last letter, written just six hours before her execution, goes on public display in a once-in-a-generation exhibition at Perth Museum.
In one week, Mary, Queen of Scots' last letter, written just six hours before her execution, goes on public display in a once-in-a-generation exhibition at Perth Museum.
This #MapMonday we're taking you back in time ⌛
We've just added over 9,000 out of copyright Ordnance Survey maps published in 1975 to our Map Images website.
What did your neighbourhood look like fifty years ago? 🗺️
🔗: maps.nls.uk/additions/#191
#MoreMaps
We've just added over 9,000 out of copyright Ordnance Survey maps published in 1975 to our Map Images website.
What did your neighbourhood look like fifty years ago? 🗺️
🔗: maps.nls.uk/additions/#191
#MoreMaps
January 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM
This #MapMonday we're taking you back in time ⌛
We've just added over 9,000 out of copyright Ordnance Survey maps published in 1975 to our Map Images website.
What did your neighbourhood look like fifty years ago? 🗺️
🔗: maps.nls.uk/additions/#191
#MoreMaps
We've just added over 9,000 out of copyright Ordnance Survey maps published in 1975 to our Map Images website.
What did your neighbourhood look like fifty years ago? 🗺️
🔗: maps.nls.uk/additions/#191
#MoreMaps
We're taking a break from social media until 5 January and wish you a peaceful festive season ❄️
Please view our website for our festive opening hours > www.nls.uk/visit/season...
Ask about our collections and services > auth.nls.uk/contact/ask-...
See you in 2026! 🎆
Please view our website for our festive opening hours > www.nls.uk/visit/season...
Ask about our collections and services > auth.nls.uk/contact/ask-...
See you in 2026! 🎆
December 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
We're taking a break from social media until 5 January and wish you a peaceful festive season ❄️
Please view our website for our festive opening hours > www.nls.uk/visit/season...
Ask about our collections and services > auth.nls.uk/contact/ask-...
See you in 2026! 🎆
Please view our website for our festive opening hours > www.nls.uk/visit/season...
Ask about our collections and services > auth.nls.uk/contact/ask-...
See you in 2026! 🎆
From 23 January, Perth Museum will be showing one of the jewels in our collections – Mary, Queen of Scots’ Last Letter 📜✒️
December 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
From 23 January, Perth Museum will be showing one of the jewels in our collections – Mary, Queen of Scots’ Last Letter 📜✒️
A happy #MapMonday to our followers. Can we tempt you with early maps of Great Britain and Ireland, just added to our website? maps.nls.uk/additions/#190 Including this stunning Palaeontological map of the British Islands, 1849, created A.K. Johnston from the papers of Professor Edward Forbes.
December 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
A happy #MapMonday to our followers. Can we tempt you with early maps of Great Britain and Ireland, just added to our website? maps.nls.uk/additions/#190 Including this stunning Palaeontological map of the British Islands, 1849, created A.K. Johnston from the papers of Professor Edward Forbes.
This #MapMonday we celebrate an amazing crowd-sourced project, the Second Land Utilisation Survey of Great Britain.
Directed by Professor Alice Coleman, the project involved over 3,000 volunteers, including university students and schoolchildren.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#189
Directed by Professor Alice Coleman, the project involved over 3,000 volunteers, including university students and schoolchildren.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#189
November 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
This #MapMonday we celebrate an amazing crowd-sourced project, the Second Land Utilisation Survey of Great Britain.
Directed by Professor Alice Coleman, the project involved over 3,000 volunteers, including university students and schoolchildren.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#189
Directed by Professor Alice Coleman, the project involved over 3,000 volunteers, including university students and schoolchildren.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#189
Reposted by National Library of Scotland
We're hosting a Scavenger Hunt as part of the @natlibscot.bsky.social #LoveLibraries campaign. Explore the Library, solve fun clues, and you could win this goodie bag full of Library goodies. We'll randomly select a winner from all correct entries #LoveYourLibrary
forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
November 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
We're hosting a Scavenger Hunt as part of the @natlibscot.bsky.social #LoveLibraries campaign. Explore the Library, solve fun clues, and you could win this goodie bag full of Library goodies. We'll randomly select a winner from all correct entries #LoveYourLibrary
forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
This #MapMonday let us take you back in time ⌛
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
November 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
This #MapMonday let us take you back in time ⌛
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
Let's talk libraries! 🔍
Join authors Louise Welsh & Damian Barr TONIGHT for a free in-conversation event at Kelvin Hall about the libraries that shaped them.
📅 6:30-7:30pm, Wednesday, 12 November
📌 Kelvin Hall
🎟️ Free
Book your tickets now > www.nls.uk/whats-on/lib...
Join authors Louise Welsh & Damian Barr TONIGHT for a free in-conversation event at Kelvin Hall about the libraries that shaped them.
📅 6:30-7:30pm, Wednesday, 12 November
📌 Kelvin Hall
🎟️ Free
Book your tickets now > www.nls.uk/whats-on/lib...
November 12, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Let's talk libraries! 🔍
Join authors Louise Welsh & Damian Barr TONIGHT for a free in-conversation event at Kelvin Hall about the libraries that shaped them.
📅 6:30-7:30pm, Wednesday, 12 November
📌 Kelvin Hall
🎟️ Free
Book your tickets now > www.nls.uk/whats-on/lib...
Join authors Louise Welsh & Damian Barr TONIGHT for a free in-conversation event at Kelvin Hall about the libraries that shaped them.
📅 6:30-7:30pm, Wednesday, 12 November
📌 Kelvin Hall
🎟️ Free
Book your tickets now > www.nls.uk/whats-on/lib...
This #MapMonday we've #MoreMaps for you to explore. We've just added Survey of India half-inch to the mile maps, published between 1915 and 1948, to our website. These cover most of India and Myanmar in colourful detail. maps.nls.uk/additions/#187 #India #HistoricMaps
November 10, 2025 at 9:01 AM
This #MapMonday we've #MoreMaps for you to explore. We've just added Survey of India half-inch to the mile maps, published between 1915 and 1948, to our website. These cover most of India and Myanmar in colourful detail. maps.nls.uk/additions/#187 #India #HistoricMaps
It's alive! 🧟
Don't miss our Frankenstein pop-up display at the National Library TODAY until 4pm!
Dive into the story behind the story with:
➡️ Mary Shelley's revealing letter to Sir Walter Scott
➡️ Rare early editions & items from our archives
➡️ Silent screenings of Scottish amateur film
Don't miss our Frankenstein pop-up display at the National Library TODAY until 4pm!
Dive into the story behind the story with:
➡️ Mary Shelley's revealing letter to Sir Walter Scott
➡️ Rare early editions & items from our archives
➡️ Silent screenings of Scottish amateur film
November 7, 2025 at 11:01 AM
It's alive! 🧟
Don't miss our Frankenstein pop-up display at the National Library TODAY until 4pm!
Dive into the story behind the story with:
➡️ Mary Shelley's revealing letter to Sir Walter Scott
➡️ Rare early editions & items from our archives
➡️ Silent screenings of Scottish amateur film
Don't miss our Frankenstein pop-up display at the National Library TODAY until 4pm!
Dive into the story behind the story with:
➡️ Mary Shelley's revealing letter to Sir Walter Scott
➡️ Rare early editions & items from our archives
➡️ Silent screenings of Scottish amateur film
Mary Shelley's time living near Dundee on the "blank and dreary northern shores of the Tay" fired her imagination 💭
It was here her "true compositions, the airy flights of my imagination, were born." Discover how Scotland shaped her novel, Frankenstein, in our article by Professor Daniel Cook.
It was here her "true compositions, the airy flights of my imagination, were born." Discover how Scotland shaped her novel, Frankenstein, in our article by Professor Daniel Cook.
November 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Mary Shelley's time living near Dundee on the "blank and dreary northern shores of the Tay" fired her imagination 💭
It was here her "true compositions, the airy flights of my imagination, were born." Discover how Scotland shaped her novel, Frankenstein, in our article by Professor Daniel Cook.
It was here her "true compositions, the airy flights of my imagination, were born." Discover how Scotland shaped her novel, Frankenstein, in our article by Professor Daniel Cook.
Did you know Mary Shelley once had to correct Sir Walter Scott for crediting her novel, Frankenstein, to her husband? 🔍
For one day only, see this story on paper at the National Library:
➡️ Mary Shelley's letter to Sir Walter Scott
➡️ Rare early editions & items from our archives
➡️ and more!
For one day only, see this story on paper at the National Library:
➡️ Mary Shelley's letter to Sir Walter Scott
➡️ Rare early editions & items from our archives
➡️ and more!
November 4, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Did you know Mary Shelley once had to correct Sir Walter Scott for crediting her novel, Frankenstein, to her husband? 🔍
For one day only, see this story on paper at the National Library:
➡️ Mary Shelley's letter to Sir Walter Scott
➡️ Rare early editions & items from our archives
➡️ and more!
For one day only, see this story on paper at the National Library:
➡️ Mary Shelley's letter to Sir Walter Scott
➡️ Rare early editions & items from our archives
➡️ and more!
We've just added more historic Ordnance Survey maps of Ireland to our website. You can now compare first edition one-inch to the mile maps dating from the 1860s to 1870s with second edition maps published between 1898 and 1902. maps.nls.uk/os/one-inch-...
November 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
We've just added more historic Ordnance Survey maps of Ireland to our website. You can now compare first edition one-inch to the mile maps dating from the 1860s to 1870s with second edition maps published between 1898 and 1902. maps.nls.uk/os/one-inch-...
This #GreenLibrariesWeek we are celebrating the amazing ecosystems of trees and forests with the Open Shelves display in the General Reading Room. Meet remarkable trees or explore the interconnected life of our woodlands. www.nls.uk/whats-on/ope...
October 27, 2025 at 9:02 AM
This #GreenLibrariesWeek we are celebrating the amazing ecosystems of trees and forests with the Open Shelves display in the General Reading Room. Meet remarkable trees or explore the interconnected life of our woodlands. www.nls.uk/whats-on/ope...
We're excited to be taking part in the Family History Fair at Edinburgh Central Library today. Come and find us on the balcony to hear how @natlibscot can help with your family history research - and browse maps from the World Wars.
October 24, 2025 at 9:30 AM
We're excited to be taking part in the Family History Fair at Edinburgh Central Library today. Come and find us on the balcony to hear how @natlibscot can help with your family history research - and browse maps from the World Wars.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Christopher Smith as the new Chair of the National Library of Scotland Board.
Learn more about the appointment > media.nls.uk/news/new-cha...
Learn more about the appointment > media.nls.uk/news/new-cha...
October 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Christopher Smith as the new Chair of the National Library of Scotland Board.
Learn more about the appointment > media.nls.uk/news/new-cha...
Learn more about the appointment > media.nls.uk/news/new-cha...
We're heading to Aberdeen! 🗺️🎞️
National Library Live, on 8 November, is a free day of talks, stories & activities. Discover maps, film, treasures & more with us and Aberdeen City Libraries.
#NationalLibraryLive #Aberdeen #NLS100
National Library Live, on 8 November, is a free day of talks, stories & activities. Discover maps, film, treasures & more with us and Aberdeen City Libraries.
#NationalLibraryLive #Aberdeen #NLS100
October 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
We're heading to Aberdeen! 🗺️🎞️
National Library Live, on 8 November, is a free day of talks, stories & activities. Discover maps, film, treasures & more with us and Aberdeen City Libraries.
#NationalLibraryLive #Aberdeen #NLS100
National Library Live, on 8 November, is a free day of talks, stories & activities. Discover maps, film, treasures & more with us and Aberdeen City Libraries.
#NationalLibraryLive #Aberdeen #NLS100
This #MapMonday, explore historic maps of #Ireland!
We've added new georeferenced map layers to our Maps Images Website. View first and second edition one-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey of Ireland maps in our georeferenced and side-by-side viewers 🗺️
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/...
We've added new georeferenced map layers to our Maps Images Website. View first and second edition one-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey of Ireland maps in our georeferenced and side-by-side viewers 🗺️
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/...
October 13, 2025 at 8:02 AM
This #MapMonday, explore historic maps of #Ireland!
We've added new georeferenced map layers to our Maps Images Website. View first and second edition one-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey of Ireland maps in our georeferenced and side-by-side viewers 🗺️
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/...
We've added new georeferenced map layers to our Maps Images Website. View first and second edition one-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey of Ireland maps in our georeferenced and side-by-side viewers 🗺️
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/...
A place for self-discovery, dancing, school-rule-breaking, romantic meet-cutes (oh, and *the* hot location for finding out the secrets of the universe). Yes, it’s the library in pop culture!
Writer and editor Katie Goh explains everything from Buffy to Matilda in our latest long-read.
Writer and editor Katie Goh explains everything from Buffy to Matilda in our latest long-read.
October 7, 2025 at 8:01 AM
A place for self-discovery, dancing, school-rule-breaking, romantic meet-cutes (oh, and *the* hot location for finding out the secrets of the universe). Yes, it’s the library in pop culture!
Writer and editor Katie Goh explains everything from Buffy to Matilda in our latest long-read.
Writer and editor Katie Goh explains everything from Buffy to Matilda in our latest long-read.
We have improved our links with the Allmaps project, so that any of our maps can be freely, collaboratively georeferenced and then brought back into our Georeferenced Maps viewer 🗺️
Learn more > maps.nls.uk/view/help/
#Georeference #MapMonday #Maps
Learn more > maps.nls.uk/view/help/
#Georeference #MapMonday #Maps
October 6, 2025 at 8:01 AM
We have improved our links with the Allmaps project, so that any of our maps can be freely, collaboratively georeferenced and then brought back into our Georeferenced Maps viewer 🗺️
Learn more > maps.nls.uk/view/help/
#Georeference #MapMonday #Maps
Learn more > maps.nls.uk/view/help/
#Georeference #MapMonday #Maps