Correspondence, minutes, agendas and circulars and financial records of the Society. Letters and other documents principally concerned with the administration of the Society and its museum and library. These date from its founding in 1780 to 1974. More recent records are held by the Society.
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Records
This material is held atNational Museums Scotland Library
- Reference
- GB 587 SAS
- Dates of Creation
- 1780-1974
- Name of Creator
- Physical Description
- 10m
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland was founded in 1780 by David Steuart Erskine, the 11th Earl of Buchan (1742-1829) and incorporated by Royal Charter in 1783. The Society is a charitable organisation registered in Scotland whose purpose is set out in the first of its Laws: "...the study of the antiquities and history of Scotland, more especially by means of archaeological research."
The Society's museum and library collections became National Property in 1858 and formed the basis of the National Museums Scotland collections.
Access Information
Please make an appointment with the library beforehand. Email mailto:library@nms.ac.uk
Other Finding Aids
Finding aids can be found at http://www.nms.ac.uk/media/269239/sas_records.pdf and http://www.nms.ac.uk/media/269233/sas_internal_manuscripts.pdf