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National Record of the Historic Environment

We manage records on more than 340,000 Scottish places including archaeological sites, buildings, industry and maritime heritage.

Watercolour picture of an impressive house with pale walls and blue roofing with many turrets
Black and white photo of Kincardine Bridge with swing section partially open
View of room with white panelled walls, wood panelled floor and ceiling, bed to the right, two chairs at a desk looking out to window with luscious greenery outside

Compiled and managed by the Heritage Information, Recording and Business Service team, the National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) contains information and collections from all its survey and recording work, as well as from a wide range of other organisations, communities and individuals who are helping to enhance this national resource. 

The NRHE includes the work of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and its predecessor body, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). Recording places that include Scotland’s earliest archaeological sites to 21st century architecture, the record has been compiled over 100 years. This work ranges from site descriptions and maps as well as survey drawings and photography. It also includes documentary research created from a wide range of published sources. 

This information is complimented by work undertaken by colleagues in the wider heritage sector, as well as information from the public. These can include archaeological excavations, building surveys and marine sonar surveys of shipwrecks.

The NRHE is available through Place records on trove.scot. 

Explore the National Record of the Historic Environment on trove.scot

Search for Scottish places to find photography and drawings, survey and recording work and much more.

Visit trove.scot
Two herdsmen and a dog with around six Highland cows in a grassy area by water Aerial view of a large white house with a swimming pool, surrounded by trees on two sides Black and white floor plan showing barracks, bellar, courtyard, laich hall and a key indicating the age of different sections Old battery buildings in a cliffy coastal area with bright blue sea beyond Aerial view of castle ruin beside coastline with caravan parks on either side Colourful, modern windows with organ pipes in front of them Black and white photograph of the Empire Exhibition in Glasgow, showing a buidling with ENGINEERING sign and a tower in the distance Octagonal hall area with thin columns and decorative railings at upper floor, with debris on lower floor