Accessing information in Edinburgh City Archives

Opening hours

• Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9am-1pm and 2 - 4.30pm 

Where to find us

We are located within the main City Chambers building at 329 High Street, opposite St Giles Cathedral.  Enter via the quadrangle to the main reception desk where you will be issued with a security pass and then directed to our public searchroom on Level 1.  Access is via several flights of stairs or by a lift - there is no alternative entry or exit for wheelchair users. If you have specific access needs please contact us and we will do our best to make alternative arrangements.

Location map 

How to reach us

• By car:  There are no dedicated parking areas at Edinburgh City Archives, although commercial multi-story parking is only a 10 minute walk away in the St James Centre at the top of Leith Walk  
• By public transport:  We are just 10 minutes walk from the Central Bus Station.  Access to Travel information is available on our website 
• Waverley Station, for those travelling by train, is just 5 minutes away. Access to Edinburgh Waverley Information   

What you should bring

Everyone intending to visit the public searchroom should bring with them some form of identification (preferably photographic) as staff at reception may well ask for proof of identity when you sign in the building. Please also bring pencil and paper for note taking (no pens allowed in searchroom), as well as any known reference numbers to records within our collections.  

Facilities

Public toilets, as well as a disabled toilet, are located on the same floor as the searchroom. Please note that although there are no public refreshment facilities within the City Chambers, there are cafés and restaurants within easy walking distance of Edinburgh City Archives.