Manuscripts.
Found in 2102 Collections and/or Records:
Chartulary of the Bishopric of Moray, written in parts from the late 13th century to the late 16th century.
Chartulary of the Hospital of the Holy Trinity at Soutra, written in 1399 by William de Cranstoun, notary public.
The charters, which are not in chronological order, cover the period 1162-circa 1330. They are followed by a copy of Cranstoun`s notarial instrument concerning the making of the chartulary (folio 25) and copies of two charters of 1426 and 1440 in different hands (folio 26 verso).
Some of the initials have simple penwork decoration by the scribe, whose notarial sign is also given (folio 25 verso).
‘Christian. Spiritual Poems on Several Subjects, Relating to the conduct of providence and cases of the soul. In four parts. Part I’, by James Meikle, a surgeon of Carnwath, probably written between 1750 and 1780.
As explained by the author in his Preface to the Reader, the poems were written over a period of many years, with additions and revisions being made at later dates. This first part contains 101 poems, only a few of which are dated.
According to ‘The Life of James Meikle’, it was Meikle`s intention to publish the poems in four volumes, but for various reasons, publication never took place.
`Chronicle of Perth`, 1210-1668, also known as Mercer`s Chronicle and Fleming`s Chronicle, with other documents relating to the burgh of Perth.
The `Chronicle` was compiled probably between 1600 and 1668 by more than one person. Though attributed to John Mercer, town clerk of Perth, only the latter part appears to be his work. From 1660 it is almost entirely a register of burials.
Other items in the volume are a fragment of a legal memorial, circa 1597, concerning the foundation of the King James VI Hospital in Perth (folio 1), and a group of letters concerning Royal Burgh affairs (1614-1628), all copies (folio 20).
Chronicles and historical works, written in England.
Circa 20 manuscripts concerning Edinburgh.
Inserted in William Maitland, "History of Edinburgh" (1753).
Classification of books in the Faculty of Advocates Library.
Collection of 26 letters of and to George Buchanan.
‘Collection of above 700 names that begin with Mac`, compiled By Robert Glen.
The names are listed under the letter immediately following the prefix `Mac`. The main series is followed by additional material (page 26) and a note of the number of names under each letter (page 39).
`Collection of armorial bearings, inscriptions, etc.` made by Alexander Deuchar.
Collection of arms in trick, drawn on engraved shields, made by Sir James Balfour.
The collection was compiled in the first quarter of the 17th century, with additions to 1642. The arms of the gentry are arranged alphabetically by families and are followed (folio 110 verso) by the arms of Scottish peers. On one of the end flyleaves (folio ii verso) are drawings and the blazon of the arms and crest of Viscount Montgomery of the Great Ardes, with Balfour’s signature.
Collection of Björn Haldórsson on Icelandic history.
‘Collection of charters, evidents and antiquities collected by E. Hadinton’, the title in the hand of Sir James Balfour prefaced to the collection from original charters, public records & chartularies made by Sir Thomas Hamilton, Clerk of Register and First Lord of Haddington.
There is no method preserved in the arrangement of the charters nor any index to the contents of the volumes but along the margins, especially of the first volume are notes in the hand of Sir James Balfour, which though imperfect are convenient.
The description of the manuscript in the folio catalogue (F.R.186) includes the reference: A.4.16.
Collection of English arms in trick, probably compiled as a working notebook by herald painters in London, one of whom appears to have worked with Sir Henry Saint George, Garter King of Arms.
Collection of English pasquils, mostly anonymous, but some attributed to John Dryden, Andrew Marvell and others.
The poems were written, according to the dates in the margin, mainly between 1676 and 1687 and are copied in several hands.
Collection of genealogical material on various Scottish families and items of historical interest copied by Robert Mylne, the antiquary, in the late 17th or early 18th century.
Collection of holograph manuscripts of authors of the early 20th century.
Collection of Icelandic laws and legal material.
Collection of Icelandic laws and ordinances.
Note by F Magnusson: `No. 15. Vetus Collectio Variarum legum et constitutionum in Comitiis Islandicis editarum - inedita - Exemplar fere Unicum.`
Collection of Icelandic proverbs by Ólafr Gunnlaugsson.
`Collection of illuminate arms` by Etherington Martyn, in 2 volumes, containing watercolour paintings of Scottish, English and a few foreign arms.
In an introductory note (volume 1, folio iv.), Martyn states that many of the arms were unpublished, and taken from seals, drawings, paintings and manuscript blazons; also from a manuscript collection of heraldry `purchased at Mr Cummyngs sale by a Mr Rose`. This probably refers to James Cummyng, herald painter and Lyon Clerk Depute (died 1793). Martyn sometimes gives the source for a particular coat of arms, and occasionally criticises the heraldry.
Collection of letters and literary manuscripts submitted to Smith Elder and Company, publishers.
Collection of manuscript material transferred from printed theses collection, 1637-late 19th century, chiefly consisting of German academic papers, but including a small cache of Scottish legal papers, 19th century.
With some Scottish legal papers, 19th century, including account of the death of a child chimney sweep in Edinburgh in 1817.
Collection of manuscripts of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
The manuscripts of the Society of Antiquaries include the ‘Hawthornden Manuscripts’, MSS.2053-2067, the papers of William Drummond of Hawthornden and of his uncle, William Fowler.