Scotland has a long love affair with libraries — and it shows. From the grand National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh to cosy wee libraries in village halls and island outposts, these places are more than book depositories.
They’re community hubs, research havens, and warm, welcoming spaces for everyone.
And it’s not just about books anymore. Today’s libraries offer free Wi-Fi, digital lending, family events, language classes, local history archives, and more. Whether you’re digging into your family tree, need a quiet spot to study, or fancy a good novel, there’s something for you.
You’ll even find some true gems, like Innerpeffray Library in Perthshire – Scotland’s very first free lending library, dating back to the 1600s. And thanks to mobile libraries and online services, even the most remote corners of the country stay connected to Scotland’s shared love of learning.
Historic Libraries
- National Library of Scotland – George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW
Located in central Edinburgh, this is Scotland’s largest library and legal deposit library, meaning it holds copies of every publication in the UK. It offers extensive collections, including rare manuscripts, maps, and digital archives. NLS hosts exhibitions, lectures, and workshops on Scotland’s history and culture.
- The Advocates Library – Edinburgh – The library of the Faculty of Advocates.
- Royal College of Physicians Library – the oldest and largest medical library in Scotland.
- Glasgow Women’s Library
- Mitchell Library – Glasgow
- Innerpeffray Library – Crieff, Perthshire – Scotland’s first free Public Lending Library
Local Authority Libraries
- Aberdeenshire Libraries
- Angus Libraries
- Dumfries & Galloway Libraries
- Edinburgh Libraries
- Glasgow Libraries
- Highlands Libraries
Scottish University Libraries
- University of Aberdeen Library
- Abertay University Dundee
- Sir Alex Ferguson Library – Glasgow Caledonian University
- University of Dundee
- University of Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Napier University
- University of Glasgow
- Heriot-Watt University
- Queen Margaret University
- RGU Library – Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
- University of Andrews
- Andersonian Library – University of Strathclyde