Books published after 1640, with a broad range of subjects and languages represented
Chapbooks printed in Scotland
Small cheap booklets sold on Scotland's streets were essential reading material for the masses in the 18th and 19th centuries
Early manuscripts
Medieval and early modern manuscripts from Scotland and beyond, including rare volumes and items with striking illuminations
Gospel of St Matthew adapted for the blind
A 19th-century edition of a book of the Bible with the text embossed for blind people to feel
James VI and the Union of the Crowns
A look at the union of the Scottish and English crowns in 1603, and the monarch who wanted to lead a peaceful, united Britain
Rare items in Gaelic
Books, pamphlets and chapbooks printed in Gaelic between 1631 and 1900. Includes songs, poetry and religious books
Scottish History Society publications
Original source material illustrating Scotland’s history from the 12th to 20th centuries, published by the Scottish History Society, with authoritative commentaries
The Aberdeen Breviary
See the Latin church service book that was the reason printing was introduced to Scotland. Printed in Edinburgh in 1510
The Auchinleck Manuscript
Middle English language and literature as Chaucer would have known it, contained in this rare document, with a full transcription
The Gutenberg Bible
Read our rare copy of the first book in Europe to be printed with moveable type. Johannes Gutenberg printed it in Germany around 1455
The Murthly Hours
View each page of this book of prayer dated 1280 – one of the most richly illustrated manuscripts in Scotland during the Middle Ages
Wee Windaes
This site charts the continuum of the Scots language in printed form, from the 15th century to the present day
