Map Collection

The first handwritten lists of historic buildings and monuments were compiled by looking at the Ordnance Survey maps. The maps we use today are in a digital format.

RCAHMS holds the following maps:

• First and second edition Ordnance Survey six inch maps (available in the Search Room on microfilm)
• Annotated record maps at 1:10,000 and 1:10,560 scale (in search room)
• Annotated field sheets from RCAHMS survey work
• 1:1250 and 1:2500 maps

In addition, RCAHMS holds the Object Name Books (ONB) on microfilm in the Search Room. Name Books were compiled by parish and provided the authority for the names of the features, both natural and man made, that were to appear on large scale maps. Many antiquities, particularly finds, are only known from the entries in these Name Books and the corresponding maps. The original manuscript name books are held in the National Archives of Scotland.