Overview

Step inside the HES Archives and Library in Edinburgh and explore Scotland's past through over five million historic photographs, drawings and more.

Our extensive archive in Edinburgh spans a whole range of buildings, archaeological monuments and industrial and maritime sites, giving unparalleled insight into Scotland’s stories.

The archives – compiled and managed by HES – first began in 1908. Today, we hold more than five million items and continue to record all aspects of the historic environment.

What to see and do

Discover information about Scotland's places through documents and books
Browse architects’ drawings, historic photographs or excavation archives
Trace our changing landscape through historic and modern maps and photographs
Consult the National Collection of Aerial Photography - advance bookings are required
Access online resources such as Canmore and Scran

A photograph of a room with unusual chairs and light shades

The HES Archives holds photographs from our surveys of places in Scotland - like this building designed by famous Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, House for an Art Lover in Glasgow.

Discover Scotland's maritime history in the HES Archives. We care for photographs, detailed survey information and data relating to Scotland’s marine historic environment, including shipwrecks.

A photograph of a bridge under construction on a sunny day.

We record history as it's happening. All the photographs, survey information and research about Scotland's historic environment are held in the HES Archives.