@natlibscot.bsky.social
Scotland’s living memory. If you can think of it, we probably have it.
Scavenger Hunt flyer
Love Libraries t-shirt, tote bag, notebook, badge, pencil and more!
We're hosting a Scavenger Hunt as part of the @natlibscot.bsky.social #LoveLibraries campaign. Explore the Library, solve fun clues, and you could win this goodie bag full of Library goodies. We'll randomly select a winner from all correct entries #LoveYourLibrary
forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
Yes, you can view the georeferenced layer for these first edition 6-inch to the mile maps at maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/...
20.11.2025 09:15 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0This #MapMonday let us take you back in time ⌛
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
A collage of images of Damian Barr and Louise Welsh and the various libraries from their lives, inlcuding the Mitchell Library, Glasgow University Library and Motherwell Library.
Let's talk libraries! 🔍
Join authors Louise Welsh & Damian Barr TONIGHT for a free in-conversation event at Kelvin Hall about the libraries that shaped them.
📅 6:30-7:30pm, Wednesday, 12 November
📌 Kelvin Hall
🎟️ Free
Book your tickets now > www.nls.uk/whats-on/lib...
detail showing Agra and the Taj Majal from Ordnance Survey of India half-inch to the mile mapping layer
This #MapMonday we've #MoreMaps for you to explore. We've just added Survey of India half-inch to the mile maps, published between 1915 and 1948, to our website. These cover most of India and Myanmar in colourful detail. maps.nls.uk/additions/#187 #India #HistoricMaps
10.11.2025 09:01 — 👍 21 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1Free entry, just drop in! 📌 National Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.
07.11.2025 11:01 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0It's alive! 🧟
Don't miss our Frankenstein pop-up display at the National Library TODAY until 4pm!
Dive into the story behind the story with:
➡️ Mary Shelley's revealing letter to Sir Walter Scott
➡️ Rare early editions & items from our archives
➡️ Silent screenings of Scottish amateur film
Read 'Mary Shelley and the Scottish Gothic Tradition' > www.nls.uk/collections/...
#MaryShelley #Scottish #Gothic #Dundee #Frankenstein #NLS100
Frankenstein's monsters' bride illustration, by Steven Learmonth
Frankenstein's monster illustration, by Steven Learmonth
You can see a piece of the history of 'Frankenstein' in person at our free pop-up display this Friday! The display will feature Shelley's letters, early editions, and materials from our archives.
📌 George IV Bridge
🗓️ 11am-4pm, Friday 7 November
🎟️ Free Entry
Mary Shelley illustration, by Steven Learmonth
Mary Shelley's time living near Dundee on the "blank and dreary northern shores of the Tay" fired her imagination 💭
It was here her "true compositions, the airy flights of my imagination, were born." Discover how Scotland shaped her novel, Frankenstein, in our article by Professor Daniel Cook.
Join us for a free celebration of Shelley's legacy, to mark the release of Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 'Frankenstein' on Netflix.
📌 George IV Bridge
🗓️ 11am-4pm, Friday 7 November
🎟️ Free entry
#MaryShelley #WalterScott #Frankenstein #GuillermoDelToro #NLS100 #Edinburgh
Page 1 of a letter of Mary Shelley to Sir Walter Scott on the authorship of ‘Frankenstein’, 14 June 1818 (MS.3889 f. 118)
Page 2 of a letter of Mary Shelley to Sir Walter Scott on the authorship of ‘Frankenstein’, 14 June 1818 (MS.3889 f. 118)
Did you know Mary Shelley once had to correct Sir Walter Scott for crediting her novel, Frankenstein, to her husband? 🔍
For one day only, see this story on paper at the National Library:
➡️ Mary Shelley's letter to Sir Walter Scott
➡️ Rare early editions & items from our archives
➡️ and more!
Page one of Mary Shelley's Letter to Walter Scott, reading: "Sir Having received from the publisher of Frankenstein the notice taken of that work in Blackwood’s Magasine, and intelligence at the same time that it was to your kindness that I owed this favourable notice I hasten to return my acknowledgements and thanks, and at the same time to express the pleasure I received from approbation of so high a value as yours. Mr Shelley soon after its publication took the liberty of sending you a copy but as both he and I thought in a manner which would prevent you from supposing that he was the author we were surprised therefore to see him mentioned in the notice as the probable author, ─ I am anxious to prevent your continuing in the mistake of supposing Mr Shelley guilty of a juvenile attempt of mine, to which ─ from its being"
Page two of Mary Shelley's Letter to Walter Scott, reading: "written at an early age, I abstained from putting my name ─ and from respect to those persons from whom I bear it. I have therefore kept it concealed except from a few friends. I beg you will pardon the intrusion of this explanation. Your obliged &c &c Mary Wollstft Shelley"
Great point, Penny! Here's the images with the actual text of the letter included in the alt text.
On the day of the pop-up, we will have large print materials and a booklet about the letter, with the transcript and facsimiles included.
Side by side view of historic one-inch to the mile maps of Bray, Ireland comparing 1880s with 1900s
We've just added more historic Ordnance Survey maps of Ireland to our website. You can now compare first edition one-inch to the mile maps dating from the 1860s to 1870s with second edition maps published between 1898 and 1902. maps.nls.uk/os/one-inch-...
03.11.2025 09:01 — 👍 69 🔁 25 💬 2 📌 2
shelves with books about trees and forests
This #GreenLibrariesWeek we are celebrating the amazing ecosystems of trees and forests with the Open Shelves display in the General Reading Room. Meet remarkable trees or explore the interconnected life of our woodlands. www.nls.uk/whats-on/ope...
27.10.2025 09:02 — 👍 21 🔁 8 💬 0 📌 0
table with maps and staff from National Library of Scotland maps team
We're excited to be taking part in the Family History Fair at Edinburgh Central Library today. Come and find us on the balcony to hear how @natlibscot can help with your family history research - and browse maps from the World Wars.
24.10.2025 09:30 — 👍 22 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 0
Professor Christopher Smith smiles towards the camera. Photograph taken from chest up.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Christopher Smith as the new Chair of the National Library of Scotland Board.
Learn more about the appointment > media.nls.uk/news/new-cha...
Learn more and book tickets to the talks > www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/lib...
#VisitAberdeen #ScottishHistory #LibraryEvents
And later...
🤔 2pm: No such thing as a silly question! A look at our enquiry process & eResources.
📦 3pm: Archive Safari with local experts.
Plus drop-in activities and family fun all day! The day is free, with activities for all ages.
The lineup includes:
🗺️ 11am: Putting Aberdeen on the map - a 400-year cartographic journey.
🪙 12pm: A tour of the Library's greatest Treasures.
🎥 1pm: The Silver City on screen - Aberdeen from the Moving Image Archive.
A collage of square cutouts from maps of Scotland.
A Library-themed 'Snakes and Ladders' game, with two giant dice on top.
A bunch of cards for a Library 'size matching' game, laid out on a table with a measuring tape.
We're heading to Aberdeen! 🗺️🎞️
National Library Live, on 8 November, is a free day of talks, stories & activities. Discover maps, film, treasures & more with us and Aberdeen City Libraries.
#NationalLibraryLive #Aberdeen #NLS100
side by side view of first and second edition ordnance survey maps for Waterford from National Library of Scotland website
This #MapMonday, explore historic maps of #Ireland!
We've added new georeferenced map layers to our Maps Images Website. View first and second edition one-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey of Ireland maps in our georeferenced and side-by-side viewers 🗺️
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/...
Full story on our website > www.nls.uk/collections/...
07.10.2025 08:01 — 👍 20 🔁 7 💬 0 📌 1
A graphic-style illustration of Matilda walking home with a pull-trolley full of books.
A graphic-style illustration of Breakfast at Tiffany's scene in the library.
A graphic-style illustration of the Scooby Gang in the library in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.
A graphic-style depiction of the Breakfast Club sitting on the bannister in their library.
A place for self-discovery, dancing, school-rule-breaking, romantic meet-cutes (oh, and *the* hot location for finding out the secrets of the universe). Yes, it’s the library in pop culture!
Writer and editor Katie Goh explains everything from Buffy to Matilda in our latest long-read.
We have improved our links with the Allmaps project, so that any of our maps can be freely, collaboratively georeferenced and then brought back into our Georeferenced Maps viewer 🗺️
Learn more > maps.nls.uk/view/help/
#Georeference #MapMonday #Maps
leaf made with autumn leaves
pine cone covered with seeds to make a bird feeder
Are you feeling crafty? Drop by our George IV Bridge building 2 - 4pm today for autumn crafts for all ages. Make a pinecone bird feeder, try some autumn leaf craft or relax with mindful colouring.
26.09.2025 12:30 — 👍 7 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
📍 George IV Bridge Building
🗓️ Sunday, 28 September
See our main building, including our Reading Rooms.
No booking required. Just drop in. Find out more on our website > www.nls.uk/whats-on/?t=...
A library themed snakes and ladder games on a table.
The National Library of Scotland's Causewayside Building.
Explore the National Library of Scotland for Doors Open Days 🔎
This September, we're taking part in Doors Open Days. It's your chance for a free, behind-the-scenes look at our buildings.
📍 Causewayside Building
🗓️ Saturday, 27 September
Go behind the scenes! Try out our library games and activities
Read more about librarians providing support for those affected by cancer in our #LoveLibraries case studies > www.cilips.org.uk/advocacy-cam...
#LoveLibraries #NLS100
People can access a wide range of advice and resources on a range of conditions, whether they themselves are affected or they want to know more to support a friend or family member.
16.09.2025 11:01 — 👍 5 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
