Historical Primary Sources: United Kingdom & Ireland: Scotland

National Library of Scotland's collection of items related to Scottish history and more

Includes publications written by individuals arguing for Scottish independence (1847-1972), official publications of the Scottish National Party and its Predecessor (1928-1973), calls for an Independent Scotland (1853-1973), visions for the future of Scotland (1844-1973), and critiques of England and its Treatment of Scotland.

This collection contains the financial and administrative records of the Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies (also known as the Darien Company). The documents cover the period from the company’s formation in 1694 as a rival to the East India Company to its dissolution due to debts incurred in pursuit of the ill-fated Darien scheme. The latter is widely regarded as being the chief factor which gave rise to the 1707 Act of Union.

An interactive database contains all people known to have been accused of witchcraft in early modern Scotland—nearly 4,000 of them. The resource also includes supporting material, putting the database findings in context.

The National Library of Scotland's online collection of nearly 1,800 broadsides lets you see for yourself what 'the word on the street' was in Scotland between 1650 and 1910.