The Maclachlan Papers
Research opportunities
The National Register of Archives for Scotland (NRAS) holds information about historical papers held in private hands in Scotland.
In 2014/5, NRAS undertook a major project to catalogue a large number of ‘charter chest’ papers being held by Clan Chief Euan Maclachlan of Maclachlan at Castle Lachlan. Some of these papers dated back to the 16th century. The most surprising document was the earliest known census, from 1764, of the population of St Kilda, the World Heritage Site archipelago to the west of the Outer Hebrides. http://www.kilda.org.uk/.
The NRAS’ catalogue of these papers (NRAS4360) is available in the Historical Search Room in General Register House, National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh.
http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/record-keeping/national-register-of-archives-for-scotland
The catalogue is not yet available online. Researchers wishing to view specific papers, having seen the catalogue in Edinburgh, should write to:
National Register of Archives for Scotland
H M General Register House
2 Princes Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3YY
E-mail: [email protected]
Researchers should include the following information in their request: details of the documents they wish to consult, the nature of their research and whether they are working to a deadline.
Dr Alison Rosie, Registrar, National Register of Archives for Scotland, gave a talk at Castle Lachlan in June 2014 about her research into and cataloguing of the papers. To read about the highlights of what she found click here.
