National Register of Archives for ScotlandYour archives, Our expertise

Archive Preservation Guidelines
For Private Owners

Archive Preservation Guidelines For
Private Owners_______________________________________________________________

Page

Introduction

3

Accommodation

4

Security

5

Environment and Storage

6-7

Photographs

8

Reprography

9

Disasters

10-13

Conservation

114

Cataloguing

15

Records Management

16

Taxation Incentives

17

Local Authority Archives

18-20

Preservation Suppliers

21-22

Useful Addresses

23

Eleventh Edition
March 2019

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk

Introduction
Since these Guidelines first appeared in August 1997 they have been in regular demand byboth owners and archivists. This new edition has not only been revised and updated, butalso includes new sections on caring for photographs, dealing with mould and pests andinformation on taxation incentives.
Archives may be defined as documents created in the course of the everyday activities ofindividuals, institutions and businesses, and retained by them for their own information.
They can include not only papers, but also plans, photographs, and other media. The term
is now also frequently applied to 'artificial' collections which have been formed deliberatelyaround a particular subject area or type of material.
These guidelines have been compiled for the general information of private owners ofarchives, and should not be regarded as comprehensive. For practical reasons very few
owners, if any, will be able to meet all of the recommendations, but it is hoped that theseguidelines will help you to minimise the risks posed to your archives. More detailed informationon the care of archives can be found in PD 5454:2012 Guide for the storage and exhibition ofarchival materials, London: British Standards Institution, 2012 and The National Archives’
Standard for Record Repositories (2004.) Prevention is usually better than cure, and byfollowing basic preservation measures you can help to protect your archives for future
generations. Conservation treatments can be expensive, and not all damage is reversible.
However, where documents are damaged or require treatment the National Records ofScotland's1 Conservation Unit will be pleased to advise on conservation services available
commercially.
Professional advice on security, fire prevention etc should be sought from your local policeand fire brigade, and from your insurers.
If you are unsure about any of the information in these guidelines, please do not hesitate tocontact the NRAS for advice.
National Register of Archives for Scotland
National Records of Scotland
HM General Register House
Princes Street
EDINBURGH
EH1 3YY
Head of Conservation
National Records of Scotland
Thomas Thomson House
99 Bankhead Crossway North
Sighthill Industrial Estate
EDINBURGH
EH11 4DX

Tel:
0131 535 1403/1405
Fax:
0131 535 1430
E-mail: nras@nrscotland.gov.uk

Tel:0131 270 3305
Fax:
0131 535 1390
E-mail: linda.ramsay@nrscotland.gov.uk___________________________________________________________________________
1

The National Archives of Scotland (NAS) merged with the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) on 1 April 2011 to
become the National Records of Scotland (NRS). The NRAS continues as a separate branch within the NRS, compiling arecord of papers of historical significance in private hands.

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
3

1. Accommodation
Provision of suitable accommodation is central to the preservation of archives. The room orarea set aside for the storage of your archives should be:dedicated to that purpose and not used for anything else.

capable of being isolated from other activities on the premises, whether
domestic, commercial or industrial.

soundly constructed of brick, stone or concrete, with adequate protection
for all roofs, walls, floors, ceilings and openings against unauthorised
entry, fire, flood and damp.

free from undue hazards from external sources, including neighbouring
properties or other parts of the same building.



served by floors capable of bearing the combined weight of archives andshelving.

supplied with a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher, in accordance with theadvice of the local fire brigade.

Where possible avoid:

attics and basements, owing to the risks of water ingress and the
difficulty of evacuating them in the event of an emergency.

ground-floor rooms, as they are more vulnerable to intruders.

flat roofs, which are liable to leak.

plumbing, plant, guttering or drains nearby.

electrical plant and main switches, which should be located outside.



gas and electrical installations and appliances, including computers andphotocopiers, which are potential fire hazards.

flammable finishes or fixtureschimneys, as they may provide a route for damp.



windows and skylights, for security and environmental reasons.

If a suitable room cannot be found, then a cupboard or chest may offer acceptablestorage conditions and protection, provided that certain materials and finishes are
avoided. (See PD5454: 2012). See also Managing the Preservation of Library andArchive collections in Historic Buildings by Susan Hughes (2002) which can be
downloaded from the publications section of the Preservation Advisory Centre’s website:
http://www.bl.uk/blpac/publications.html
National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
4

2. Security
The room or area set aside for the storage of your archives should be secured
against unauthorised entry. If papers are stored in accommodation which is also
used for other purposes, then the strongroom or cupboard in which they are kept
should be locked.
The archive store should be fully covered by any domestic intruder alarmsystem.



If located on the ground floor, windows should be protected by shutters,bars or mesh.

Ensure tradesmen working in or around the archive store are aware of
the importance of the contents and adjust their working practices
accordingly. Ideally, contractors should be supervised at all times.



Where a property is let to a tenant it is unwise to leave your archives on
the premises unless they are securely under lock and key.



A working finding aid to your archives is essential for their control andsecurity.



Access should be controlled by the owner or his/her staff, and a
production book maintained in which access to particular papers isrecorded.



Researchers must never be allowed unsupervised access to papers.
Any documents consulted by researchers should be carefully checkedboth before issue and on their return.

Owners are advised to satisfy themselves as to the integrity of individual
researchers.



If you are unable to provide adequately supervised access forresearchers on your own premises your local authority archivist may beable to assist. If you are able to transport the papers to and from
Edinburgh then the NRAS can usually make arrangements for them to
be made available to the researcher concerned in the Historical Search
Room at General Register House, 2 Princes Street, Edinburgh.

Seek advice from your local Crime Prevention Officer and insurers.

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
5

3. Environment and storage
In addition to the provision of sound and secure accommodation, archives also require astable environment and suitable storage conditions if their safety is to be assured. Over theyears, unsuitable environments have proved to be the main cause of damage to archives. Too
dry an environment may lead to the embrittlement of documents; dampness and poor
ventilation may encourage the growth of mould; while high temperatures may acceleratedegradation. The provision of a properly monitored and controlled environment should
therefore be a priority. In general, a cool atmosphere with adequate ventilation is desirable.













Many collections contain a mixture of paper, parchment, photographs andother media, and should therefore be stored at a constant environment of
between 16-19°C (if frequently handled) and 13-16°C (if rarely handled),
and 45-60% relative humidity. Swings of temperature and humidity arepotentially damaging, and steps should be taken to ensure that theenvironment is stable. A recording thermo-hygrograph should therefore be
installed to monitor temperature and relative humidity in order to determine
if remedial action is necessary.
Where there are windows or skylights the effects of light can be reducedby blinds, shutters or ultra-violet filters.
Shelving (metal or wooden) should be adjustable and at least 150 mmabove the ground. It should not be positioned below windows or against
external walls owing to the risks of water penetration.
Papers should be stored in suitable archive boxes. Metal deed boxes are notrecommended for the storage of archives as they are heavy, likely to rustand will retain water in the event of flooding. If you decide to re-box yourpapers take care to preserve the existing arrangement and referencing
system, otherwise the NRAS survey will be rendered obsolete as afinding-aid.
Volumes should be shelved upright or flat, never on their fore-edges.
Separate protection (eg wrapping in acid-free paper) should be given to
outsize volumes, documents and maps.
Loose photographic prints should be boxed and where possible placed inpolyester sleeves.
Inspect the archive store regularly for signs for water-penetration, mould
growth, insect infestation etc. This is particularly important where archives
are stored in an outbuilding.
Keep the archive store free and clean of waste and rubbish, as dust andorganic materials provide an ideal environment for vermin, insects andmould.
No original documents should be permanently displayed, either in cases
or framed on walls, as this can lead to irreversible fading andembrittlement.

For further advice see Basic Preservation for Library and Archive Collections by Alison
Walker (2003) and Managing the Library and Archive Environment by Jane Henderson(2007) which can be downloaded from the publications section of the Preservation Advisory
Centre’s website: http://www.bl.uk/blpac/publications.html

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
6

Particular problems to look out for and how to deal with themPests and mould thrive on dirt and debris so good housekeeping is the best means of
avoiding these dangers to your archive. Regular spot checks of the contents of boxes andthe shelving where they are stored are the best means of prevention or early detection..
Mould
Damp conditions and lack of air flow in your archive may encourage the growth of mould. If
you find mould you should treat it with great caution as, if breathed in, the mould spores cancause an allergic reaction in some people.
What to do: try to establish and deal with the cause of the dampness – blocked drains, leaking
roof or chimney breast; install a dehumidifier to bring relative humidity down to an acceptable level; cleaning papers sufficiently to remove and not spread the spores is very difficult
without the proper equipment and wearing gloves and masks;
 replace any boxes affected by mould and do not reuse any which have been affectedby mould; check the inside as well as the outside of all boxes for the spread of mould spores,
preferably wearing gloves and masks;
 if the mould has entered the box and spread to the contents causing them damage,
you may require more professional assistance to tackle the problem.
A leaflet with further information on Mould Outbreaks in Library and Archive Collections by R
E Child (2004) can be downloaded from the publications section of the Preservation
Advisory Centre’s website: http://www.bl.uk/blpac/publications.html

Treatment of pests and insects
What to look for:
 live or dead insects (though not all will be harmful to books and manuscripts) – suchas book lice, silverfish, beetles – and mice insect or mice droppings (pellets, fine ‘sawdust’, ‘poppy seed’) recent damage in documents (holes or tunnels)
Treatment: clean infected areas
 isolate items affected traps for mice or insects
 chemical treatment for major infestations - seek advice from an expert

If you are unsure what is attacking your manuscripts, or require further advice on how todeal with the infestation, contact the NRS’ Conservation Branch.

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
7

4. Photographs and glass plate negatives
Photographs and glass plate negatives are frequently found in archival collections andrequire particular attention to storage, environment and handling.
Photographs
The Preservation Advisory Centre, based in the British Library, has produced a leaflet on
Preservation of Photographic Material (1999) which can be downloaded from thepublications section of its website: http://www.bl.uk/blpac/publications.html
The National Archives, London, has produced a leaflet on Caring for your Photographs,
copies of which are available from the NRAS.
The Conservation Register has also added guidance on the Collection Care section of its
website which can be downloaded from the ‘Caring for’ section of its website:
http://www.conservationregister.com/

Glass Plate Negatives
Glass plates are very delicate and require particular attention to handling and storage. Old
glass can break or crack very easily and there are health and safety issues relating to theirhandling:
Handling:
 work on a clean, flat and dry surface
 wear gloves at all times
 be careful to identify on which side of the plate is the emulsion with the image so thatthe surface is not damaged or abraded handle the plate by the two opposite edges, never by only one edge or one corner do not press or lean on the plate or write on top of it work with one plate at a time and never stack up plates when working on themStorage: environmental conditions should be stable and on the cool side store plates vertically along their longest edge, fully supported and wrapped andstored in custom made boxes
 store plates with others of a similar size and in a good fitting box which minimises
side-to-side movement and abrasion of the plates
Protective packaging for glass plates can be purchased from preservation materials or
suppliers such as Secol: http://www.secol.co.uk or from the suppliers listed in section 12.
If you have any particular concerns about glass plates contact an expert for advice.

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
8

5. Reprography
Photocopying
Photocopying may physically damage or fade archives. The following categories of material
should therefore never be photocopied:








damaged or fragile documents
parchment
documents with seals attachedoutsize documents and volumes
original photographs
tightly-bound volumes
volumes with historic or decorative bindings.

For further advice see Self-service copying of library materials (2013) produced by
the Preservation Advisory Service which can be downloaded from the publications
section of its website: http://www.bl.uk/blpac/publications.html
Photography
Photography is usually a suitable alternative to photocopying, and will provide a negative for
future use. Items should be photographed under supervision and on your own premises.
The NRAS can advise on copyright matters.
Lighting Guidance for Professional Photography
Lighting may not exceed 1,000 lux under tungsten illuminence

If metallic Halide lamps are used, this may increase to 2,500 lux.

Flash photography is acceptable in certain circumstances: the upper limit
for flash exposure is 20 lux-minutes or F22 on 100 ASA film or equivalent(see French National Committee of ICCOM).

A UV filter over each flash is desirable.

Digital Photography
Digital cameras or phones are the most common way of taking images of documents
and many researchers will often ask to take images of documents to speed up theirresearch visit. These are generally for private study or research. Flash should not be
used.
Copyright
Information on copyright issues which might affect reproduction of items in your archive canbe found in Copyright for Archivists and Record Managers by Tim Padfield (5th edition, 2015)
and in Copyright in the National Archives of Scotland: guidance for users (2008) Paper
copies of the latter can be provided by application to the NRAS.

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
9

6. Disasters
In the present context a disaster is an event or series of events placing your archives at riskof serious damage or even destruction. Natural disasters such as storms and floods cannot
be prevented, but measures can be taken to eliminate or reduce their effects. Man-madedisasters - such as fires, leaking roofs, broken pipes, blocked drains and building
deficiencies - can usually be avoided. Regardless of the many forms a disaster may take,however, the actual damage to archives is usually caused by fire or water.
If your papers are stored in an historic property, make sure that they are included in any
existing disaster plan for the evacuation and recovery of valuables. You should also
approach your local Fire Brigade for their advice
Prevention
Identify and minimise the risk posed by the building, its services and fittings, and the natural
hazards of its surroundings:
Carry out a building inspection and alter factors which constitute a
potential hazard. Pay particular attention to: weaknesses in building
structure, eg roofs, guttering, windows, etc; presence of utilities such asgas, electricity and water; and nearby living or work areas withdomestic/office/industrial appliances.



Establish routine housekeeping and maintenance measures in buildings
and surrounding areas.

Install an automatic fire detection system.



Take increased precautions during periods of increased risk, such asbuilding renovation and bad weather.



Switch-off and/or disconnect all inessential utilities when the premises
are unoccupied.

Arrange comprehensive insurance for the costs of salvage andconservation for your archives, and the reinstatement of fixtures andfittings.

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
10ResponseIn the event of a disaster you should remain calm and take no risks. Whoever discovers the
emergency should first raise the alarm and then, as far as is consistent with personal safety,
take action to contain the incident or prevent damage.
Action checklist
1.

Quickly assess the situation, extent and exact location of the problem.

2.

Contact emergency services, staff and/or tradesmen, as appropriate.

3.

Contact the NRAS and/or your local authority archivist for advice, andassistance in locating conservation expertise.

4.

Protect all papers at risk but as yet undamaged with polythene sheetingor move them to another secure location.

5.

Establish a salvage sorting area.

Practical guidelines
For both health & safety and preservation reasons you should bear the following
points in mind when attempting to salvage archives:

Papers that have fallen on to the floor should be cleared first.

When clearing archives from shelves you should start at the top andwork down for safety reasons.



Where possible, archives should be removed from storage area in order;
care should be taken that evacuated archives are labelled with theirreference numbers. If you must write on an original document use a soft
(2B) pencil, not ink.



Do not attempt to stack boxes one on top of the other if wet, as they may
disintegrate damaging their contents.



Remove and replace all damaged boxing. Check first to find out if thecontents require drying, as re-boxing damp material will cause serious mould
problems within a very short period of time, leading to the loss of papers.

Affected material should be laid out to dry on absorbent paper. Where
necessary, clean blotting paper should be used to dry individual
documents or be placed between the leaves of damp volumes.



Wet items should be treated within 48 hours to avoid mould growth.

In the event of extensive water damage, wet items (excluding photographic
material) may be frozen in a domestic or commercial freezer. This action
should prevent further deterioration in the documents before they can beassessed by a professional conservator.

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
11

Books

Do not attempt to open or close wet books.

Damp books can be dried by cold air from fans after being opened andstood on end. They should be checked periodically and turned head to
tail to prevent sagging and damage to bindings.

Bundles, loose papers and files

Where masses of papers are found stuck together there should be noattempt to separate them.



Do not attempt to flatten folded items.

Some single leaf items may be suitable for air drying.

Photographic material

Wet photographic prints will begin to disintegrate and develop mould ifleft in piles. Wherever possible, air dry. Lay out wet photographs(including glass plates) on absorbent paper, emulsion side up for air
drying. Seek expert advice as soon as possible.



Water damaged microforms should be immersed in buckets of clean cold
water until they can be reprocessed.

RecoveryContact insurers.
negotiating claims

A photographic record of the affected archives may assist when

Determine priorities for conservation work in consultation with a professional archivist andarchive conservator.

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
12

Useful disaster equipment and materials

Equipment

Water vacuum cleaner
Trestle tables
Collapsible crates
TorchesHeavy duty polythene (on roll) - for protecting
papers in situ.

Protective Clothing

Waterproof clothing/overalls
Wellington boots
Rubber gloves
Helmets
Dust masks

Cleaning and Recovery

Plastic buckets
Lining paper - for laying out damp documents
Blotting paper - for drying wet documents
Fans - for drying volumes
Absorbent cloths
Clear
plastic
bags(freezerbags)(410 mm x 610 mm and 510 mm x 760 mm) - forfreezing wet documents
Bin liners
Scissors
StringMasking tape
Luggage labels

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
13

7. Conservation
For general advice on conservation and preservation issues, the following websites are very
useful:Collections Trust - https://collectionstrust.org.uk/collections-management/collections-care-and-conservation/
British Library – Collections Care: http://www.bl.uk/blpac/index.html
The National Archives - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/adviceand-guidance/managing-your-collection/caring-for-archives/

Finding a Conservator
The Conservation Register (http://www.conservationregister.com) is run by the Institute ofConservation and provides free information on accredited conservator-restorers in the
United Kingdom and Ireland. The site gives pointers on what to look for when employing a
conservator and allows you to search by specialism and geographical area.

Conservation grants
National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
The NMCT was established in January 1990 by the British Library and the Royal
Commission on Historical Manuscripts and awards grants of a minimum of £1000 for repair,binding and other preservation measures including reprography. Owners of manuscripts
which are conditionally exempt from capital taxation or owned by a charitable trust can apply
provided that reasonable access is allowed, there is suitable storage and there is a firm
commitment to good preservation.
Further information:

The Secretary
The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust
PO Box 4291
Reading
Berkshire
RG8 9JA
http://www.nmct.co.uk

As well as the above, it might be worthwhile checking out other, particularly local, charitable
trusts and foundations. The best guide to these is the Directory of Grant Making Trusts
published by the Directory of Social Change and renewed yearly: https://www.dsc.org.uk

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
14

8. Cataloguing
The NRAS can undertake surveys of collections for private owners. Where the collection isa small one and a list can be achieved in a day, the NRAS is happy to survey records where
they are stored. With larger collections we prefer to bring the archives to Edinburgh so thatthe papers can be listed more thoroughly. As the resources of the NRAS are limited we
may not always be able to survey your papers for you immediately.
Guidance on cataloguing small archives can be found on the following websites:
The National Archives: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/archives/archiveprinciples-and-practice-an-introduction-to-archives-for-non-archivists.pdf
Community Archives website: http://www.communityarchives.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2017/07/community_archives_cataloguing_guidelines_v2.pdf

If you are able to employ an archivist, contact the NRAS for further advice as we may knowof available archivists. You might also consider contacting the following archive schools as
they may know of recently graduated archivists who could undertake this for you.
Glasgow University Information Management and Preservation
Contact:
Deputy Course Director
Humanities Advanced Technology & Information Institute (HATII)
University of Glasgow
George Service House
11 University Gardens
Glasgow G12 8QQ.
Tel: 0141 330 4001
E-mail: humanities-pg@glasgow.ac.uk
https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/informationmanagementpreservation/

Dundee University Centre for Archive and Information Studies
Contact:
Director
Centre for Archive and Information Studies
School of Hunmantities
University of Dundee
Nethergate
DundeeDD1 4HN
Tel: 01382 385 543
E-mail: cais@dundee.ac.uk
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/cais

Guidance on the current salary figures for archivists can be found on the Archives andRecords Association’s website: https://www.archives.org.uk/

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
15

9. Records Management
So far these Guidelines have dealt with archives, records which are no longer required on adaily basis, but which merit permanent retention because of their long-term value. In
contrast, this section considers records which are in everyday use. Although what is said
below is particularly relevant for businesses, it also applies to estate offices, clubs, societies
and individuals.
A record is any information, in any format, which is required for the conduct of business. For
instance accounts, correspondence, staff details, drawings and so on are all records,
whether they are held in paper form, microform, computer files or any other format. Records
are created to fulfil an immediate business purpose, which can be:administrative (their value to daily business operations);

fiscal (their value to financial management);legal (their value as proof that statutory requirements are complied with).

Records management therefore is the systematic control of records within an organisation,from their creation to their destruction. It includes practices such as filing, naming
conventions for computer files, and making sure that information is kept in an appropriate
way, and as long as required (for instance in order to comply with regulations covering Data
Protection, finance, taxation, employment, health and safety). Beyond the immediate
reason for their creation, there are three principal factors to bear in mind when deciding
whether to keep particular records for a longer period of time. These are their potential use
for:

information (to enable operations to be carried out appropriately, and to
facilitate decision making);evidence (to provide proof if faced with legal action);compliance (to prove that regulations have been adhered to).

The principal practical benefits of records management are:

improved efficiency (less time wasted looking for records);more efficient use of storage space (records which are no longer
required are not retained).

Finally, legal advice should be sought on how long to retain particular records.
Useful guidance on which estate records to keep has been published by the Historic Houses
Archivists Group, A Guide to Retention of Modern Records on Landed Estates (2007). See
also the section on records management on the National Records of Scotland’s website:
http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/record-keeping/records-management

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
16

10. Taxation Incentives for Private Owners
The following government schemes recognise the public importance of private archives. These arematters which are reserved to the UK parliament in London, and are therefore dealt with at a UK
level, rather than by the administration in Scotland.
Conditional Exemption
Owners can defer paying inheritance tax or capital gains tax conditional on the archive remaining
accessible to the public. If the owner does not maintain this, or sells the item, the tax becomespayable. If these conditions are maintained, the exemption can be applied for by each succeeding
generation, allowing the assets to remain in private hands. Following changes in the Finance Act
1998, exemption can be claimed only for heritage assets that are judged to be pre-eminent under
the Waverley Criteria, ie the collection must be:

of pre-eminent importance to national life and historyof pre-eminent importance to a particular branch of learning, orof pre-eminent importance to a particular area in the country.

The owner must agree to preserve the assets and keep them in the UK, to give reasonable publicaccess to them (some measure of which must be ‘open access’ – without prior appointment), and to
publicise the access arrangements.
The scheme is managed by H M Revenue and Customs:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tax-relief-for-national-heritage-assets
Private Treaty Sales
This scheme allows owners to receive beneficial tax concessions on the sale of cultural property
subject to conditional exemption to a designated public institution. For further guidance consult theArts Council’s website: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/tax-incentives/private-treaty-sales
Acceptance in Lieu
This scheme allows owners to satisfy their liabilities to Inheritance Tax by transferring manuscripts
or archives into public ownership. Manuscripts are worth roughly 17% more if offered in lieu rather
than sold on the open market.
To qualify under Acceptance in Lieu, the items must satisfy one or more of three tests of the
Waverley Criteria. The scheme is operated in the United Kingdom by the Arts Council England(ACE): https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/tax-incentives/acceptance-lieu

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
1711. Local Authority Archives
Many local authorities in Scotland have set up archive services, although some are still considering
the provision they require. If no local authority archive service is listed for your area, please contact
the NRAS for information on the current position.
Aberdeen City Archives
Town House
Broad Street
ABERDEEN
Tel: 01224 522513
AB10 1AQ
E-mail: archives@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Clackmannanshire Council Archives
Speirs Centre
Primrose Place
ALLOA
Tel: 01259 722262
FK10 1AD
E-mail: libraries@clacks.gov.uk
http://www.clacksweb.org.uk/culture/archives/

Aberdeenshire (see Aberdeen City)
Angus Archives
Hunter Library
Restenneth Priory
FORFAR
Tel: 01307 468644
DD8 2SZ
E-mail: angus.archives@angus.gov.uk
http://archive.angus.gov.uk/historyaa/archives/

Dumfries and Galloway Archives
Ewart Library
Catherine Street
DUMFRIES
Tel: 01387 260285
DG1 1JB
E-mail: libarchive@dumgal.gov.uk

LiveArgyll Archives
Manse Brae
LOCHGILPHEAD
ArgyllTel: 01546 604778
PA31 8QU
E-mail: archives@liveargyll.co.uk

Dundee City Archives
Support Services
21 City Square
DUNDEE
Tel: 01382 434494
DD1 3BY
E-mail: archives@dundeecity.gov.uk
http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/archive/

Ayrshire Archives
Watson Peat Building
Auchincruive
AYR
Tel: 01292 521819
KA6 5HW
E-mail: archives@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
http://www.ayrshirearchives.org.uk/

East Dunbartonshire Council Archives
William Patrick Library
2-4 West High Street
KIRKINTILLOCH
Tel: 0141 7773142
G66 1ADE-mail: archives@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives(Caithness Archives)
Wick Airport
Wick
KW1 4QS
Tel: 01955 606 432
Email:
north.highlandarchive@highlifehighland.com

East LothianArchives & Local History
John Gray Centre
15 Lodge Street
Tel:01620820695
HADDINGTON
EH413DX
E-mail: history@eastlothian.gov.uk
http://www.johngraycentre.org/

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
18

East Renfrewshire Archives
East Wood Park
Rouken Glen Road
GLASGOW
Tel. 0141 5573059
G46 6UG
Email:
craig.geddes@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

Highland Archives
Lochaber Archive Centre
Alexander Ross House
Achintore Road
Tel: 01397 707050
FORT WILLIAM
PH33 6RQ
E-mail:Lochaber.archives@highlifehighland.com
https://www.highlifehighland.com/lochaber-archive-centre/

Edinburgh City Archives
Level 1
253 City Chambers
High Street
EDINBURGH
Tel: 0131 5294616
EH1 1YJ
E-mail: archives@edinburgh.gov.uk
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cityarchives

Midlothian Council Archives
Dalkeith Library
2 White Hart Street
DALKEITH
MidlothianTel: 0131 663 2083
EH22 1AE
Email: local.studies@midlothian.gov.uk

Falkirk Archives
Moray Council Heritage Centre
Falkirk Community Trust
Elgin Library
Callendar House
Cooper Park
Callendar Park
ELGIN
Tel: 01343 562639
FALKIRK
Tel: 01324 503779
IV30 1HS
FK1 1YR
E-mail: heritage@moray.gov.uk
E-mail: archives@falkirkcommunitytrust.org
http://www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/heritage/archives/

Fife Council Archive Centre
Iona House
John Smith Business Park
Grantsmuir RoadKIRKCALDY
Tel: 01592 583352
Fife
KY2 6NA
Email: archive.enquiries@onfife.com

North Lanarkshire Archives
North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre
High Road
MOTHERWELL Tel: 01698 274597
ML1 3HU
Email:
HeritageCentre@culturenl.co.uk

Glasgow City Archives
The Mitchell Library
GLASGOW
Tel: 0141 2872910
G3 7DNE-mail: archives@glasgowlife.org.uk

Orkney Archives
44 Junction RoadKIRKWALL
Tel: 01856 873166
KW15 1AG
E-mail: archives@orkney.gov.uk
http://www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/archive.htm

Highland Archives
Perth and Kinross Council Archives
Highland Archive Centre
AK Bell Library
Bught Road
2-8 York Place
INVERNESS
Tel: 01349 781130
PERTH
Tel: 01738 477012
IV3 5SSPH2 8EP
E-mail: archives@highlifehighland.com
E-mail: archives@culturepk.org.uk
http://www.highlandarchives.org.uk/
http://www.culturepk.org.uk/archive-local-family-history/
National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
19

Renfrewshire Council Archives
Corporate Services
First Floor
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
PAISLEY
Tel: 0141 618 5149
PA1 1TR
Email:
heritage@renfrewshire.gov.uk

West Dunbartonshire Council Archives
Dumbarton Library
Strathleven Place
DUMBARTON
Tel: 01389 608965
G82 1BD
Email:
katie.mcdonald@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

Scottish Borders Archive & Local History Centre
Heritage Hub
Heart of Hawick
Kirkstile
HAWICK
Tel: 01450 360699
TD9 0AE
E-mail: archives@liveborders1.org.uk
http://www.heartofhawick.co.uk/heritagehub/West Dunbartonshire Council Archives
Clydebank Library
Dumbarton Road
CLYDEBANK
Tel: 0141 5622434
G81 1XH
Email:
katie.mcdonald@west-dunbarton.gov.uk

Shetland Museum and Archives
Hay’s DockLERWICK
Tel: 01595 741554
Shetland
ZE1 0WP
E-mail: info@shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk
https://www.shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk/

West Lothian Council Archives
Archives and Records Centre
Deans Industrial Estate
LIVINGSTON
Tel: 01506 773770
EH54 8SB
E-mail: archive@westlothian.gov.uk

South Lanarkshire Council Archives
Finanance and Corporate Resources
Council Offices
Almada Street
HAMILTON
Tel: 01698 454768
ML3 0AA
E-mail: paula.biagioni@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Stirling Council Archive Services
5 Borrowmeadow Road
Springkerse Industrial Estate
STIRLING
Tel: 01786 450745
FK7 7UW
E-mail: archive@stirling.gov.uk
http://www.stirling.gov.uk/archives

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
20

12. Preservation suppliers
The companies on this list are drawn from the Directory of Suppliers of Materials, Equipment
and Services for Archive and Book Conservation, Storage and Display, published by theSociety of Archivists. Specialist catalogues can be confusing, so you may wish to discuss
your needs with the supplier and then contact the NRAS or the NAS' Senior Conservator if
you need further advice. The technical requirements of archives mean that preservationmaterials are unlikely to be obtainable from local suppliers.
General preservation suppliers
Boxes, folders, gloves, tape, environmental monitors etc.
Conservation by Design
2 Wolseley Road
Kempston
Bedford
MK42 7AD
Tel: 01234 846300
E-mail: info@cxdglobal.com
http://www.conservation-by-design.co.uk/
Preservation Equipment Ltd
Vinces Road
DISS
Norfolk
IP22 4HQ
http://www.preservationequipment.com/

Tel: 01379 647400
E-mail: info@preservationequipment.com

Conservation Resources UK Ltd
15 Blacklands Way
Abingdon on Thames
Tel: 01235 553166
Oxfordshire OX4 6TU
E-mail: sales@conservation-resources.co.uk
http://www.conservation-resources.co.uk/

Archive boxes, folders, etc
In certain circumstances orders for limited quantities of archive boxes and other packaging
can be routed through the National Records of Scotland's Conservation Unit.
C A Coutts Ltd
Violet RoadLONDON
Tel: 020 75348800
E3 3QLG Ryder & Co Ltd
Denbigh Road
Bletchley
MILTON KEYNES
Buckinghamshire Tel: 01908 375524
MK1 1DG
E-mail: sales@ryderbox.co.uk
http://www.ryderbox.co.uk

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
21

Environmental monitoring equipment
Including dehumidifiers, temperature and humidity recording equipment.
British Rototherm Co Ltd
Kenfig Industrial Estate
MargamPORT TALBOTWest Glamorgan
Tel: 01656 740551
SA13 2PW
E-mail: sales@rototherm.co.uk
http://www.rototherm.co.uk/
Casella Solutions
Regent House
Wolseley Road
Kempston
BEDFORD
Tel: 01234 844100
MK42 7JY
E-mail: info@casellasolutions.com
http://www.casellasolutions.com
J S Holdings
Unit 6
Leyden RoadSTEVENAGE
Hertfordshire
Tel: 01438 316994
SG1 2BW
E-mail: info@JSHoldings.co.uk
http://www.jsholdings.co.uk/

Shelving
Dexion Comino Ltd
Murdock Road
DorcanSWINDON
SN3 5HY
http://www.dexion.co.uk/

Tel: 0800 581 531
E-mail: enquiries@dexion.co.uk

Dehumidification services
Munters Ltd
Knowledge Centre,
Wyboston Lakes,
Great North Road, Wyboston,Bedfordshire
Tel: 01480 432243
MK44 3BY
E-mail: info@munters.co.uk
http://www.munters.co.uk/

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
22

13. Useful addresses
British Standards Institution
BSI British Standards
389 Chiswick High RoadLONDONW4 4ALhttp://www.bsigroup.co.uk/

Tel: 020 8996 7001
E-mail: cservices@bsigroup.com

Business Archives Council of Scotland
Advice to businesses on the care and management of their historical records
BACS Surveying Officer
c/o Archive Services
University of Glasgow
77-87 Dumbarton Road
GLASGOW
Tel: 0141 330 4159
G11 6PE
E-mail: bacs@archives.gla.ac.uk
http://www.gla.ac.uk/archives/bacs/

Scottish Records Association
Forum for promoting the preservation and use of archives in Scotland
Dr. Anne Cameron
Secretary, Scottish Records Association
E-mail : scottishrecordsassociation@gmail.com
http://www.scottishrecordsassociation.org

Archives Records Association, Scotland
Professional body of archivists and archive conservators
Ms. Victoria Woodcock
Secretary
E-mail: arascotland@archives.org.uk
http://www.archives.org.uk/about/nations-and-regions/ara-scotland.html

Scottish Conservation Bureau
Maintains a professional register of conservators working in the UK
http://www.conservationregister.com

National Register of Archives for Scotland
nras@nrscotland.gov.uk
23