How we support research
We provide a variety of resources for individuals and groups looking to research Scotland’s history and heritage.
Research reaches every corner of our oganisation. We have a wide range of resources and support available across our website - and across Scotland - to assist with or inspire your research.
We support community-led research and outreach projects through our Grants programme. We share resources aimed at all kinds of learners, from schools to local history groups. Our archives, collections, and digital records are a great way to learn more about a place or building, while hundred of dedicated Statements of Significance contain information about the historic places in our care.
PhDs and Masters projects
We support research at post-graduate and doctoral level. This can range from making data and information available to support projects, to being full partners on a project and contributing to a supervisory team.
Learning and outreach
Learning resources and visits
Explore Scotland's historic places through a learning visit or our online resources. These activities form part of our learning and outreach programme, Making Sense of Scotland.
Our Making Sense of Scotland framework
Through this framework, we aim to make Scotland’s historic environment a valued national resource for lifelong learning.
Gaelic learning
We support Gaelic speakers and learners through projects and online resources, like our Gaelic Dictionary.
Support for communites
How we work with communities
Find out how we help empower communities to champion and protect their local history and heritage.
Community group resources
Helpful resources if you are in the early stages of setting up a community group.
Toolkits and other sources of support
A compilation of resources to help groups or individuals get the most out of their local heritage.
Grants and funding
Our grants
Browse the different types of grants which are available from Historic Environment Scotland.
How our grants work
Find out how we manage our grants. From our funding priorities and expressions of interest, to the application process and reporting.
Community funding
An introduction to community funding and links to advice and support which may help your community heritage project.
Archives, libraries and collections
Our archives
Historic Environment Scotland holds archive collections relating to Scotland’s archaeology, architecture, industrial and maritime heritage.
Our libraries
We hold a significant collection of books, manuscripts and more that can be viewed in person in Edinburgh.
Collections and Applied Conservation
We care for object collections, and work on the conservation of carved stone, metal and paintings across our properties.
How to access our archives, collections and libraries
Find out where you can see our archives online or visit in person, what we can license and more.
Learn with our archives
Historic Environment Scotland's archives and collections are great research tools at any stage of study.
Research with trove.scot
trove.scot allows you to find historic places across Scotland, and is your key to unlocking thousands of archive images, building records, archaeology notes and more.
Go to trove.scot
