National Library of Scotland
@natlibscot.bsky.social
Scotland’s living memory. If you can think of it, we probably have it.
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2025 marks 100 years since the National Library of Scotland was established by an Act of Parliament 🎂
Join our centenary champions, Val McDermid and Damian Barr, as they talk about the significance of libraries, and the importance of collections like ours 📚
Join our centenary champions, Val McDermid and Damian Barr, as they talk about the significance of libraries, and the importance of collections like ours 📚
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
Are you feeling crafty? Drop by our George IV Bridge building 2 - 4pm today for autumn crafts for all ages. Make a pinecone bird feeder, try some autumn leaf craft or relax with mindful colouring.
September 26, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Are you feeling crafty? Drop by our George IV Bridge building 2 - 4pm today for autumn crafts for all ages. Make a pinecone bird feeder, try some autumn leaf craft or relax with mindful colouring.
Explore the National Library of Scotland for Doors Open Days 🔎
This September, we're taking part in Doors Open Days. It's your chance for a free, behind-the-scenes look at our buildings.
📍 Causewayside Building
🗓️ Saturday, 27 September
Go behind the scenes! Try out our library games and activities
This September, we're taking part in Doors Open Days. It's your chance for a free, behind-the-scenes look at our buildings.
📍 Causewayside Building
🗓️ Saturday, 27 September
Go behind the scenes! Try out our library games and activities
September 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Explore the National Library of Scotland for Doors Open Days 🔎
This September, we're taking part in Doors Open Days. It's your chance for a free, behind-the-scenes look at our buildings.
📍 Causewayside Building
🗓️ Saturday, 27 September
Go behind the scenes! Try out our library games and activities
This September, we're taking part in Doors Open Days. It's your chance for a free, behind-the-scenes look at our buildings.
📍 Causewayside Building
🗓️ Saturday, 27 September
Go behind the scenes! Try out our library games and activities
How can libraries be places of support for everyone in a community? 🫂
Supporting the health and wellbeing of the local community is a key role of our public libraries. A hugely popular and valued information service is the one offered by Macmillan Cancer Support.
Supporting the health and wellbeing of the local community is a key role of our public libraries. A hugely popular and valued information service is the one offered by Macmillan Cancer Support.
September 16, 2025 at 11:01 AM
How can libraries be places of support for everyone in a community? 🫂
Supporting the health and wellbeing of the local community is a key role of our public libraries. A hugely popular and valued information service is the one offered by Macmillan Cancer Support.
Supporting the health and wellbeing of the local community is a key role of our public libraries. A hugely popular and valued information service is the one offered by Macmillan Cancer Support.
We're coming to Aberdeen! 🥳
Our OUTWITH programme kicks off this Saturday by bringing our earliest publication of Scottish secular music to Aberdeen Art Gallery (whose Cowdray Hall concert venue is also having a big birthday this year).
Our OUTWITH programme kicks off this Saturday by bringing our earliest publication of Scottish secular music to Aberdeen Art Gallery (whose Cowdray Hall concert venue is also having a big birthday this year).
September 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
We're coming to Aberdeen! 🥳
Our OUTWITH programme kicks off this Saturday by bringing our earliest publication of Scottish secular music to Aberdeen Art Gallery (whose Cowdray Hall concert venue is also having a big birthday this year).
Our OUTWITH programme kicks off this Saturday by bringing our earliest publication of Scottish secular music to Aberdeen Art Gallery (whose Cowdray Hall concert venue is also having a big birthday this year).
Reposted by National Library of Scotland
Bidh an t-oileanach PhD againn Ceit Langhorne a' bruidhinn aig an Leabharlann Nàiseanta a-màireach.
Our PhD student Ceit Langhorne is speaking at @natlibscot.bsky.social tomorrow.
'Sgeulachdan Ghaisgeil: Scottish Gaelic heroic stories in the Scottish landscape'.
https://nls.pulse.ly/qdusiaygei
Our PhD student Ceit Langhorne is speaking at @natlibscot.bsky.social tomorrow.
'Sgeulachdan Ghaisgeil: Scottish Gaelic heroic stories in the Scottish landscape'.
https://nls.pulse.ly/qdusiaygei
Sgeulachdan Ghaisgeil: Scottish Gaelic heroic stories in the Scottish landscape | National Library of Scotland
Learn about the complex history of heroic characters through the Scottish landscape in this talk by PhD researcher Ceit Langhorne.
nls.pulse.ly
September 10, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Bidh an t-oileanach PhD againn Ceit Langhorne a' bruidhinn aig an Leabharlann Nàiseanta a-màireach.
Our PhD student Ceit Langhorne is speaking at @natlibscot.bsky.social tomorrow.
'Sgeulachdan Ghaisgeil: Scottish Gaelic heroic stories in the Scottish landscape'.
https://nls.pulse.ly/qdusiaygei
Our PhD student Ceit Langhorne is speaking at @natlibscot.bsky.social tomorrow.
'Sgeulachdan Ghaisgeil: Scottish Gaelic heroic stories in the Scottish landscape'.
https://nls.pulse.ly/qdusiaygei
Where do you go to listen to stories? 🗣️
Bookbug and storytelling sessions have been going on the road in the Borders to help reach more children and build partnerships with local organisations.
Bookbug and storytelling sessions have been going on the road in the Borders to help reach more children and build partnerships with local organisations.
September 9, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Where do you go to listen to stories? 🗣️
Bookbug and storytelling sessions have been going on the road in the Borders to help reach more children and build partnerships with local organisations.
Bookbug and storytelling sessions have been going on the road in the Borders to help reach more children and build partnerships with local organisations.
This #MapMonday can we tempt you with #MoreMaps?
We've just added early maps of Scotland and Great Britain, as well as town and county plans. These maps are from our Charlotte Smith collection, acquired by the Library in 2017. maps.nls.uk/additions/#184
We've just added early maps of Scotland and Great Britain, as well as town and county plans. These maps are from our Charlotte Smith collection, acquired by the Library in 2017. maps.nls.uk/additions/#184
September 1, 2025 at 2:45 PM
This #MapMonday can we tempt you with #MoreMaps?
We've just added early maps of Scotland and Great Britain, as well as town and county plans. These maps are from our Charlotte Smith collection, acquired by the Library in 2017. maps.nls.uk/additions/#184
We've just added early maps of Scotland and Great Britain, as well as town and county plans. These maps are from our Charlotte Smith collection, acquired by the Library in 2017. maps.nls.uk/additions/#184
We’re delighted that Cricket Scotland has chosen the National Library to be the new home of their archive 🏏
The records cover the history of the Scottish Cricket Union and Cricket Scotland, from 1908 to the present day.
The records cover the history of the Scottish Cricket Union and Cricket Scotland, from 1908 to the present day.
August 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
We’re delighted that Cricket Scotland has chosen the National Library to be the new home of their archive 🏏
The records cover the history of the Scottish Cricket Union and Cricket Scotland, from 1908 to the present day.
The records cover the history of the Scottish Cricket Union and Cricket Scotland, from 1908 to the present day.
Reduce, reuse, recycle, repair! ♻️🧵
Free equipment to help repair, reuse and upcycle everyday items is being offered as part of a trailblazing sustainability project at libraries across Scotland.
Free equipment to help repair, reuse and upcycle everyday items is being offered as part of a trailblazing sustainability project at libraries across Scotland.
August 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Reduce, reuse, recycle, repair! ♻️🧵
Free equipment to help repair, reuse and upcycle everyday items is being offered as part of a trailblazing sustainability project at libraries across Scotland.
Free equipment to help repair, reuse and upcycle everyday items is being offered as part of a trailblazing sustainability project at libraries across Scotland.
Would you like to create lists of locations and features, and view these as distributions on our historic map layers? If so, discover new import and export tools for our Map Images Website maps.nls.uk/additions/#183 #MapMonday
August 25, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Would you like to create lists of locations and features, and view these as distributions on our historic map layers? If so, discover new import and export tools for our Map Images Website maps.nls.uk/additions/#183 #MapMonday
Time-travel to @orkneylibrary.bsky.social in 1957 ✨📖
This clip from ‘Life in the Orkneys’ shows a box of books being packed up in Kirkwall Library to go to families on more rural islands. The box contains books for everyone in the family.
This clip from ‘Life in the Orkneys’ shows a box of books being packed up in Kirkwall Library to go to families on more rural islands. The box contains books for everyone in the family.
August 20, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Time-travel to @orkneylibrary.bsky.social in 1957 ✨📖
This clip from ‘Life in the Orkneys’ shows a box of books being packed up in Kirkwall Library to go to families on more rural islands. The box contains books for everyone in the family.
This clip from ‘Life in the Orkneys’ shows a box of books being packed up in Kirkwall Library to go to families on more rural islands. The box contains books for everyone in the family.
Since 2016, Dundee Libraries have helped more than 21,000 people with their digital skills 🖥️🤳🏻
With more and more services and information online, having digital access and skills is crucial. But 19 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have a high likelihood of digital exclusion.
With more and more services and information online, having digital access and skills is crucial. But 19 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have a high likelihood of digital exclusion.
August 19, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Since 2016, Dundee Libraries have helped more than 21,000 people with their digital skills 🖥️🤳🏻
With more and more services and information online, having digital access and skills is crucial. But 19 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have a high likelihood of digital exclusion.
With more and more services and information online, having digital access and skills is crucial. But 19 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have a high likelihood of digital exclusion.