Archives to move out of Register Houses?

[AndrewP]

A review by the NRS (National Records of Scotland - formerly the NAS (National Archives of Scotland) and GROS (General Register Office for Scotland)) has recommended the closure of General Register House and New Register House in Edinburgh and transferring their functions to their modern archive storage building in an industrial estate on the west side of the city.

http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/n ... -1-3683218

This may of course never happen, but if it does it will leave the research facility about 5½ miles out of the city centre - half an hour by bus, plus a walk of about ¼ to ½ of a mile (or tram or train to Edinburgh Park Station, plus the walk). The only people it may be more convenient for are those arriving by car, as it is out of the central parking zone, and is close to the M8 motorway and the City Bypass roads.

The following map shows the routes between the city centre and Thomas Thomson House, in Sighthill Industrial Estate.

Google Map showing the route from General Register House to Thomas Thomson House

All the best,

AndrewP

[Anne H]

I am surprised there has been no response to Andrew’s post. Am I the only one who thinks it would be a tragedy if these buildings were closed and used for goodness knows what?

I have a little difficulty in walking and therefore haven’t actually had the privilege of doing any research in Edinburgh but have a lot of research that I need to do. I can’t imagine I would ever be able to get to the archives if they were moved even further away and especially with the additional walking distance.

These beautiful buildings were built for a purpose – to hold the records of Scotland. Unfortunately, I’ve come to expect nothing good from the Scottish Government.

Let’s hope it never happens.

Regards,
Anne H

[trish1]

I doubt it is just the Scottish Government Anne - in my country every last government is keen to sell the states'/country's assets including real estate. Short term gain - long term pain. It is unbelievable that they think selling assets is a good way to balance budgets. I had always thought that the UK took great pride in preserving its buildings - perhaps this will stop thoughts of closing the archives buildings.

Trish

[paddyscar]

This is indeed a sad proposal. People coming from outside Edinburgh and elsewhere around the world are not likely to venture that far out with less public access. There may be less need of hands-on access in some cases where the digital or filmed documents are readable, but it creates a two-tier service if records are even stored offsite, so I would hope they remain together in a central access point.

Having said that, my own government isn't interested in following my advice, so don't expect that my birth country will either.

Frances

[frances]

This would be a terrible mistake. Leave this iconic building and it's contents alone.

Frances

[Isabel H]

It would be very sad if this were to happen. The wonderful sense of history all around that pervades these buildings makes researching there a great experience.

It would also severely limit access for those of us who use public transport to get to Edinburgh to research.
Thomas Thomson House is near Edinburgh Park station, which the trains I use pass through but do not stop at. For many people like me, the addition of 30min. bus rides to and from Haymarket or Waverley stations, plus walking time, would make it hardly worth going, as we’d have so little research time when we got there.

[AndrewP]

Hi Isabel,

The trains stopping at Edinburgh Park, heading towards Edinburgh have come from Helensburgh or Milngavie (via Glasgow Queen Street Low Level, Airdrie and Bathgate, etc.) or Dunblane (via Stirling, Falkirk Grahamston and Linlithgow, etc.).

http://www.thetrainline.com/stations/edinburgh-park

The trains to or from Glasgow (via Falkirk High) or Perth or Inverness (via Stirling) go through Edinburgh Park Station without stopping.

The fastest route from Princes Street or Haymarket to Edinburgh Park is the train. However the tram is likely to be quicker for most as it is more frequent, and it goes off-road west of Haymarket via Edinburgh Park to the Airport (so can put the foot down more than the bus). The bus routes to Calder Road or Bankhead Avenue will take a bit longer. Both have a walk of a similar distance to that from Edinburgh Park Station.

For me, the bus from my area to Bankhead Avenue is only once an hour, so if the move ever takes place, I would drive there (10-15 minutes). However, I realise I am in the minority in being closer (by time and distance) to Thomas Thomson House than the City Centre. So on that basis, I would be happier if the move does not take place.

All the best,

AndrewP

[arthurk]

I've never visited a Scottish archive office, and don't feel qualified to offer an opinion of my own on this. However, in the interests of balance (or should that be "in order to be provocative"? ), folks might be interested in a contrary opinion from Chris Paton, author and researcher. See his blog at http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2015 ... tates.html

This also refers to an earlier post of his in which he compares the national archives of Scotland, England and Northern Ireland - http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2014 ... hives.html

He makes some favourable points about NRS and its present set-up - but not many...

Arthur