Explore our Archives and Library on BBC Two tonight

The Historic Environment Scotland Archives and Library play a starring role in the fourth episode of A House Through Time which airs tonight (Thursday 3 September) on BBC Two.

The Archive, which holds records and collections relating to Scotland’s built environment, was a key resource for presenter Professor David Olusoga to learn more about the history of 20-22 Calton Hill, a category B-listed building in the heart of Edinburgh.

Of particular interest to Professor Olusoga and his team were the elevations and drawings from the Sir Basil Spence Archive. Spence was a consultant to Russell Diplock Associates when they proposed plans to regenerate St James Square, Leith Street, and Broughton Street in the early 1960s. These plans illustrate a specific proposal - since rejected - to demolish houses on Calton Hill in favour of a bowling alley.

The HES Archives and Library holds more than two million items. It is home to architectural and archaeological drawings, plans and maps, photographic prints, library books, and journals and periodicals. Members of the public can visit the archive for free and follow in Professor Olusoga’s footsteps by researching their local area, learning about historic houses, or viewing aerial photography dating as far back as the 1920s.

Fran Baseby, Deputy Head of Archives and Library at HES, said:

“It’s always exciting to welcome a film crew to our archive and be able to showcase everything we have to offer. Professor Olusoga and his team were great to work with, and we were delighted to support their research into 20-22 Calton Hill.

“From records on the Neolithic settlement at Skara Brae to the rise of tenement housing across Scotland, we can help anyone who is interested in learning more about the built heritage around us here in Scotland - whether you are making a TV series or pursuing a local curiosity. Visits to our Archive Search Room and Library are free, and we welcome everyone to come along to John Sinclair House and see any of the records we hold.”

A House Through Time is a successful documentary series presented by David Olusuga, Professor of Public History at Manchester University. The series is now airing its sixth season with a focus on Edinburgh, after having visited Liverpool, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Bristol, and more. Each series focuses on one or two specific residential buildings and delves into the building’s history, its inhabitants, and explores what a single building can tell us about the city’s wider context.

Professor Olusoga also visited Edinburgh Castle in episode one, which, like the archive, is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. The Castle provided dramatic background for the series, with Professor Olusoga discussing the story of two French prisoners, held captive in the castle dungeons, who escaped and managed to get back to France on a ship from Leith.

The HES Search Room & Library in Edinburgh is open for visitors to access the HES Archives and the library collections. It is open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm at John Sinclair House, 16 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh.

trove.scot is an online platform which brings together HES’s wealth of unique and diverse collections in one convenient place. It lets users explore information from our Historic Environment Portal, Canmore, SCRAN, and Property in Care Collections.

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.

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Historic Environment Scotland Communications Office
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