Survey of Private Collections

This is one of the many ways in which we gather visual information and material to make a record of Scotland’s archaeology and buildings. Photographs, drawings and other items are borrowed from a variety of sources, copied, catalogued and made available to the public through Canmore, our database.

History

This type of work began as an offshoot of building surveys in the late 1960s, when photographic surveys of historic buildings presented an opportunity to record any drawings held by the owner. Among the first surveys undertaken were of Ardkinglas, Argyll and Bute and Penicuik House, Midlothian. Most significant private holdings of architectural drawings have now been copied and made available to a wider audience. All early surveys are listed in bound volumes on the shelves in the Search Room and all copy images are catalogued and in Canmore.

Types of material copied

All types of visual material can be copied. Examples include:

• Architects’ drawings and amateur sketches
• Framed oil and watercolour paintings
• All types of photographs, including transparencies, sometimes in albums
• Postcards
• Architectural models and wallpaper fragments

Contribute to the survey

If you hold an item or items which you think would be of interest to us, please contact info@rcahms.gov.uk. We will arrange to view the collection. Material is copied at the RCAHMS offices in Edinburgh, and depending on the size of the collection, is usually returned within one month.