West Register House

West Register House is the second and newer city centre archive building of the National Archive of Scotland (the other being General Register House). It is situated at the West end of Charlotte Square, off Princes Street, very near Bute House, the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland.

Record Search

The West Search Room is for research into court records and modern records of the Scottish Office and Scottish Government, and maps and plans.

The West Search Room carries court records from the Court of Session, High Court of Justiciary (after 1800), sheriff court records (excluding wills) and divorces (to 1983).

Researchers into Scottish business are also catered for with access to historical records of the former nationalised industries and transport (such as rail and canal systems), coal, gas, electricity and steel industries business records maps and plans.

Building History

West Register House was built in 1811 as St George's Church, to the design by Robert Adam, and extensively modified by Robert Reid. The building fell into disrepair as the congregation declined and it was converted in 1964 to its current use as a national archive.