What We Hold
RCAHMS collections have been developing since the organisation was established in 1908. From the earliest years, staff prepared drawings or took photographs and people regularly gifted material to help with the creation of the ‘inventory’ of monuments. RCAHMS now holds over 15 million drawings, photographs, negatives and manuscripts relating to Scotland’s archaeology, buildings and maritime heritage.
The National Collection of Aerial Photography
RCAHMS holds one of the largest and most important collections of aerial imagery in the world.
Photographic Collections
Around 2.5 million photographs relating to the built environment are held by RCAHMS.
Drawings Collection
RCAHMS holds a vast collection of over 2 million prints and drawings dating from the 17th century to the present day.
Digital Collections
For more than a decade RCAHMS has been collecting and generating digital material relating to Scotland’s built heritage.