Students engaged in all levels of research frequently use the wealth of information on Scotland's past that we hold.

For inspiration on how we can help your research see our case studies. Find out about our collections or see our suggestions at Exploring Your Heritage.

Oblique aerial view from
WNW of Doune of
Invernochty, Strathdon,
Aberdeenshire.
SC621671

Front elevation of stable
offices and groom's house,
plate XCVII from
'Architecture of the Park',
by John Starforth, 1890.
SC763987

Detail of an Angel of
Summer, 'The Elms',
Cairnie Road, Arbroath.
SC707631

How do I use your services?
Our public search room in Edinburgh includes study areas for visitors to consult our specialist library and to view collection items. There is no charge for this service. Find out the best way use our facilities.

What types of information are recorded in your databases and how do I use them?
If you cannot get to Edinburgh to visit us in person you can search our holdings online: search Our Databases. Many images are now available online and can be downloaded for educational use. It is usually advisable to check our catalogue for your subject of interest before coming to Edinburgh.

Do you offer a student discount on copying services?
We offer a student discount of 33% on our copying services, including photocopying and photographic orders. Find out more on our Price List page.

Do you take students on placements?
We offer placements to further and higher education students every year from a variety of subject areas, including archaeology, architectural history and history of art. A recent placement saw five students from the University of Glasgow aerial archaeology postgraduate degree course working with a variety of staff at RCAHMS for ten weeks in summer 2004. See our case studies for more details on recent placements. Fill in our online form to enquire about a placement.

A number of student users responded to our recent user questionnaire, Inspiring Learning for All, with the following comments:

· 'Aerial photographs are essential sources of information for my project. Resources are easily accessible.'

· '[RCAHMS] gives me access to information about the country I live in and areas that no longer exist.'

· 'I needed to find information to pass a module. RCAHMS provided it.'

The Architectural Research Liaison Group, comprising staff from RCAHMS, Edinburgh College of Art and the Architecture Department of the University of Edinburgh, held a highly successful day of lectures in November 2003 around the theme of 'Building Conservation and Architectural Collections'.

RCAHMS staff speakers included: Geoffrey Stell, who gave the introduction; Jane Thomas, who spoke about our architectural collections; Siobhan McConnachie, who described the Lorimer and Matthew collection and its potential; Diane Watters, who spoke about the Little Houses Improvement scheme of the National Trust for Scotland; and Miles Glendinning, who talked about Robert Matthew and the 'saving' of Edinburgh New Town.

The audience comprised staff from the institutions involved as well as students from the Edinburgh College of Art postgraduate Conservation Studies course. The day was designed to highlight the varied resources available at RCAHMS that can be applied to student's current studies and their future careers in conservation.

Siobhan McConnachie's lecture about the Lorimer and Matthew Collection was designed to showcase the collection, and to emphasise the usefulness of the resource for students in very real terms. A study of Lorimer drawings held in the collection could highlight the architect's original intentions for architectural details and the use of materials, show how since lost features could have appeared, and also may also reveal how Lorimer himself used principles of conservation in his own designs.

Postgraduate Conservation Studies students from Edinburgh College of Art were also involved in surveying Advocate's Close in conjunction with RCAHMS staff. Four of these students - Posy Metz, Josephine Brown, Eva Krisillia and Noelle McManus - also returned to RCAHMS as volunteers to explore various projects within survey and recording, including the threatened buildings survey and the farm buildings survey.