The contents are as follows: (i) Manuscript fragments of reviews published in the ‘Spectator’ and the ‘Spectator literary supplement’ (folio 1); (ii) Notes for and drafts of 'Gilles de Rais', 1933 (folio 3); (iii) Bibliography and notes for and drafts of Mrs Taylor's articles on mythological figures in “Cassell's encyclopaedia of literature” (folio 91).

Chapter 3 was written by Sir Gavin de Beer, who also prepared and annotated the appendices, but this portion of the book is not represented in the manuscript.

Robert McLellan (1907-1985) was born near Lanark and educated at Bearsden and Glasgow University. In 1938 he married and moved to Arran, where he spent the rest of his life, except for a period of service in the Royal Artillery, 1940-1946. His most important literary works were plays, but he also wrote poetry, short stories, and books on Arran.

The material consists of preliminary notes (folio 1), synopses (folio 100), bibliography (folio 141), and notes for the index and illustrations (folios 146, 165).

The material includes a memorandum in John Rennie's own hand concerning some of his major works, biographical sketches by Sir John and George Rennie, lists of reports compiled by Rennie and at one time in Sir John's possession, printed obituary notices by Charles Dupin, and A H F Sohlichtegrol, genealogical material concerning the Rennies and related families, and papers relating to the Society of Civil Engineers, and the Smeatonian Society, l821-early 20th century.

The collection consists chiefly of correspondence and papers relating to politics, especially colonial matters, and to estate and family affairs. Both Edward Ellice and his son were influential Liberal Members of Parliament who owned substantial estates in Scotland, Canada, America and the West Indies.

Papers mostly containing historical research notes, lectures, articles and or broadcasts, some in Gaelic, of the Reverend Dr John MacInnes, minister of Halkirk (1934-1955) and of Hopeman (1955-1966) and historian of Highland evangelicalism. The collection consists mostly of notebooks, many very miscellaneous in content: only in principal content of each notebook or file is noted.

Papers mostly containing historical research notes, lectures, articles and or broadcasts, some in Gaelic, of the Reverend Dr John MacInnes, minister of Halkirk (1934-1955) and of Hopeman (1955-1966) and historian of Highland evangelicalism. The collection consists mostly of notebooks, many very miscellaneous in content: only in principal content of each notebook or file is noted.

The contents are as follows: (i) Pages from a loose-leaf notebook containing material on Renaissance France, chiefly on French towns (folio 1); (ii) Bibliography for 'Renaissance France'. None of the books listed were published after 1939 (folio 35).

The typescripts, chiefly 20th-century and consisting largely of excerpts from the kirk-session records, are almost ready for publication, and are accompanied by notes, newspaper cuttings, and photographs. Churches other than parish are dealt with, and biographical and genealogical information is given about ministers.

Concerning Hopkinson`s bibliographies of Berlioz and Verdi.

The contents are as follows. (i) Miscellaneous papers relating to Thomas Telford's life and work, including a list of his major works in his own hand, undated (folio 1); (ii) Papers of John Rickman: notes on a tide survey, 1834-1835, and material relating to his preparation of ‘Life of Thomas Telford, Civil Engineer, written by himself’ for the press (folio 34).

Most of the cuttings, which were collected apparently by Mary Haldane, relate to the public career of Richard Burdon Haldane; a minority, collected apparently by Elizabeth Haldane, relate to her philanthropic and educational activities and writings; and a few relate to other members of the family.