Special collections

Edinburgh City Libraries hold many items and collections of international significance. Discover some of these for yourself by visiting the Central Library or looking at our collections online.

Capital Collections has a selection of images from the outstanding collections held in Edinburgh Central Library, including works by pioneer photographers Hill and Adamson. Discover the historical and cultural life of Edinburgh, Scotland and the Scots through this growing image library.

Pencils of Light features the work of the Edinburgh Calotype club, the first photographic club in the world. One of the original albums is kept in the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection in Central Library.

Am Baile is dedicated to Highland history and culture, and includes photographs from the Grant Collection of Highland Life, housed in the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection in Central Library.

Scran is a world class cultural and educational resource featuring many rare and historic images from the collections of Edinburgh City Libraries. Log in using your library card number.