The papers cover the period from 1750 to 1945, but the bulk of the collection belongs to the lifetime of Sir George Henry Scott-Douglas, 4th Baronet, who succeeded his father as a minor in 1836 and died in 1885. During his minority and absences abroad with the army, his affairs were in the hands of a trustee, but after his return in 1851, Sir George took a keen interest in the running of his estates, as is evident from the long series of detailed factory accounts and correspondence.

There were two estates: Springwood Park itself, which was bought by Sir James Douglas, 1st Baronet (then a naval captain), in 1750, and Longnewton. Unless otherwise stated, the papers refer to both properties.