Book Week Scotland 2024 is an annual celebration of reading which takes place from 18- 24 November throughout Scotland. It is a way of bringing together people of all ages and from all walks of life to celebrate the joy of books and reading.
There are many events and activities taking place across the country to celebrate the power of reading. And look how it can change lives. Many of Scotland’s authors, poets, playwrights, storytellers and illustrators participate in events and activities, bringing them to life for so many people. You can find out more about these events on the Scottish Book Trust website. You can also follow on social media via Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
The theme of Book Week Scotland 2024 is Hope. People from across Scotland are invited to share their stories, all of which are available to read on the Scottish Book Trust website along with stories from previous years’ themes including Adventure, Scotland’s Stories, Celebration, Future and others. A selection of these short stories are published in a free book issued specially for Book Week Scotland every year. The books are widely distributed at venues throughout Scotland. Free copies of the book are available to students and staff from each of our campus libraries and student accommodation buildings so be sure to collect your copy before they are none left!
Search by keyword across all our Heritage Collections items.
Follow the links to each individual collection to find out what the collection is about.
On each individual collection page, you can:
Browse all the items within one collection.
Search by keyword within one collection – just use the search box on the individual collection page.
Searching tips
Want to use more than one keyword?
Use OR between your keywords to find records that include any of your keywords. Remember to type OR in capitals for this to work, e.g. Scotland OR Ireland.
Looking for more advanced searching?
Within each individual collection, follow the Advanced Search link to begin an advanced search for that collection. Then click the expand arrow in the search box to open the advanced search criteria options, where you can add further parameters to your search.
Through these pages you can now more easily discover the unique items which make up our Heritage Collections. There is plenty to explore, from the historical development of printing in the Edward Clark Collection, to the works of Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen (who met at the Craiglockhart War Hospital) in the War Poets Collection, or the history of Merchiston Tower in the John Napier Collection.
Including rare books, manuscripts, letters, photographs, printed ephemera, and objects, ranging from the 15th century to the modern day, our Heritage Collections offer the opportunity to delve into the cultural history of our campus buildings, the city of Edinburgh, and beyond.
For more information, or to arrange to view any items from the collections, please contact heritage@napier.ac.uk.
By Liz Dyer
Interested in touring a 500-year-old tower at Napier, we offer tours of Merchiston Tower.
Framing the Past: A work placement photographing the Heritage Collections.
From February to May 2024, the Heritage Collections welcomed Rebbecca Cram, a third-year student from the BA (Hons) in Photography, for a trimester-long work placement. As part of the placement, Rebbecca photographed unique objects from the University’s collections and took images to help promote the department’s wider work. Here, Rebecca talks about her experience of her placement.
A work placement photographing the Heritage Collections.
I worked with the Heritage Collection department from February to May as a placement for my third year studying photography at the university. After taking part in an archive-based module the previous term and interviewing prominent members of the heritage collection scene in Edinburgh I became fascinated with the industry but desired a more hands-on approach rather than an interview or a one-time thing.
Therefore, with the help of the placement team I reached out to the Heritage Collections department to enquire about a position. After exchanging emails back and forth and arranging a meeting to chat over the intentions for the placement, the Heritage Collections department welcomed me with open arms despite it being a busy time for them. Our main goals for the placement were to photograph the initial items that were to be recorded in the department’s new digital catalogue and take promotional material for the items that were to be used for student and community engagement. We met once a week for a full working day throughout the term alternating between the studio, editing and research days.
Above photos: Studio days
My most memorable part of the placement was working alongside Ian (Special Collections Manager) and Laura (Senior Curator of University Heritage Collections), their in-depth knowledge and passion for history were infectious. They shared many anecdotes about the collection items, which helped with the promotional side of the placement as I was actively learning about the items, so although I was only taking and editing the images, I believe every step was a collaborative effort. I’d often get excited about certain items that we’d be photographing in a few weeks just so I could see them in person after hearing so much about them.
The placement was a true test of my technical skills and often my patience whilst having to sift through an abundance of images that look almost identical. If I missed any signifier of the angle, the item would be recorded incorrectly. However, knowing the importance of heritage collection photography and heritage collection service as a whole and why it’s such an integral part of education and history gave me a sense of accomplishment and confidence in my work.
Framing the past
Stepping into the world of Heritage Collection photography is definitely a step in the right direction for me and my career, but it was less like a step and more like a fall into a never-ending rabbit hole. One week I was doing research at home on the origins of the department and the next I was handling a taxidermied rooster in the studio or finding hidden rooms in the campus I’ve been going to for three years.
The team was always very quick to adjust to any changes in the schedule needed for me to complete my other modules, or anything new that came to fruition whilst working in the studio or editing. Prior to the placement I had no knowledge of any methods of working in a department like this other than knowing a few things about other institutions’ methods, so the team providing me with plenty of research days in the early days and frequent check-ins throughout the placement to aid this was very helpful and overall, it was a great learning experience for not just me but the department also. Through these methods and our frequent check-ins, I really got a sense of some of the realities opportunities that working in a smaller, newer department like this can offer, so I’m very pleased to have been the first of hopefully many to complete this placement with such a lovely team.
If you would like to know more about the Heritage Collections or are interested in seeing some of the items discussed above for yourself, do get in touch! All the information you’ll need to plan your visit can be found on our website.
The Postgraduate Publishing programme at Edinburgh Napier University invite you to our Publishing & Printing Archive Open Day!
As part of Book Week Scotland, we are delighted to provide a unique opportunity to view materials from our Edward Clark Collection.
Join us in the Glassroom at Merchiston Campus, 10 Colinton Road, Edinburgh Napier University,on Wednesday 20 November to learn about – and interact with – books and artefacts from the collection (not usually on display to the public).
There are 2 identical events – please select MORNING or AFTERNOON.
Each event will be two hours long and will be led by Laura Cooijmans-Keizer, Senior Curator of University Heritage Collections, Edinburgh Napier University, and Dr H S Williams, Honorary Edward Clark Fellow.
First hour: Introduction to the Edward Clark Collection, talk on print production, and Q&A.
Second hour: Opportunity to view the artefacts, and ask questions. (Some items may even be handled.)
This FREE event is your chance to delve into the fascinating world of publishing and printing. Learn about the history of these industries, explore rare books and documents, and gain insights from our archival experts.
Some of the items on display: page from the Gutenberg bible; leaf from Shakespeare 2nd folio, 1632; Grimaldi, steel engravings; 1835 Lizars Atlas, engraved; a volume from the Doves Press Bible.
Whether you’re a student or staff member, publishing professional, or simply curious, come along. This open day provides a rare and unique opportunity to view some of the treasures in our Edward Clark Collection!
We approach this year’s Remembrance Day on Monday the 11th. Marking 106 years since Armistice Day 1918 and the ending of the First World War. We’d like to just take a quick moment to remind you all about the university’s War Poets Collection. Give a brief history of our Craiglockhart campus. Long before it became the property of the university. The building which now houses our Craiglockhart Campus was known as Craiglockhart Hydropathic. Originally built as a medical centre specialising in water therapy during the Victorian Era. However, during the First World War, the facility became a military hospital. Focusing on the treatment of military officers suffering from shell shock.
The hospital was the site of pioneering work in the field of psychiatry. With Dr William H. R. Rivers became well-loved among the patients for his advocacy for humane treatment of men who were branded as cowardly by much of society. Rivers encouraged the men to talk about their experiences and express their emotions at a time when men were expected to be reserved and unflinching. However, the hospital is perhaps most well-known for the patients that were treated there. Especially Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen. The two men would go on to become famous for their poetry. They wrote about their experiences in the war, with Sassoon already being a published poet before the war. Owen had much of his poetry published posthumously after he died a week before the war’s end. Although the two were only at the hospital for a few months in 1917. Their time at Craiglockhart was vital to the development of both men’s poetry and had a significant impact on both of their personal lives, with Sassoon remaining friends with Dr Rivers for the remainder of River’s life.
War Poets
To commemorate the work carried out at the hospital during the war, Edinburgh Napier opened the War Poets Collection in 1988. Located in our Craiglockhart campus,.The collection presents items related to Sassoon, Owen, and other contemporary war poets. Along with items focused on the medical staff of the hospital.
The collection houses over 650 items, among them are personal correspondence and original copies of poetry, a range of historical photographs of the building and staff, and recordings of poetry recited by famous actors and writers such as Daniel Day-Lewis and Dr Pat Barker. The collection, and accompanying exhibition in Craiglockhart, are a great way to learn more about the history of the university buildings. It allows the university’s heritage team to show off the great work that they do.
War Poets in the Library
Additionally, our campus libraries have copies of writings by the poets available to borrow. Craiglockhart Library holds copies of Memories of a Fox-Hunting Man, Siegfried Sassoon’s novel which doubles as his fictionalised autobiography. Merchiston library has a copy of Wilfred Owen’s collected poems available in their main stock. The libraries also hold a great deal of other writings about the war poets, including biographies of Sassoon and Owen, along with copies of Pat Barker’s Regeneration trilogy, a series of novels presenting a fictionalised telling of Sassoon’s time at Craiglockhart and the long-term effect it had on him.
War Poets is located on the ground floor of our Craiglockhart building, just off of the main atrium when you enter the building. free to view during standard campus hours of 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. If you would like a guided tour of the collection you can contact the team at heritage@napier.ac.uk to see about arranging a tour during office hours.
In the centre of Merchiston Tower, you will find Merchiston Tower.
Bang in the middle.
Have you ever wondered what’s inside? What’s its history? Wanted to peek inside?
Let us take you on a brief digital walk through the Tower in the blog post. But before we go any further, we would like to add that you can tour the Tower in person and see its 500 years of history in person for free. Email us at heritage@napier.ac.uk or library@napier.ac.uk. Please bear in mind that we need at least 24 hours’ notice. Group tours are available, but no more than 15 people can attend.
History of Merchiston Tower
Merchiston Tower has stood firm for over 500 years. Built in the middle of the 1400s, either by Andrew Napier or his son Sir Alexander Napier, both served as Provost of Edinburgh, and both moved in royal circles.
John Napier (Alexander’s grandson) was born in the Tower in 1550. Specifically, the University is named after John Napier. His inventions and contributions to Mathematics are longstanding, with his most known invention being logarithms. There is a lot of “myth, mystery, and intrigue” (John Napier napier.ac.uk) about the man, and you can read about him in a previous blog post on Edinburgh Napier University’s webpages.
The Tower remained in the Napier family until the beginning od the 1800s. It was then owned by the Merchiston Castle School, followed by Edinburgh Council. For a while, it was also a storage space for fire hoses during the Second World War. By the 1950s, the Tower was set for demolition. It was in ruined. However, in 1958, a new technical college was coming to Edinburgh. A college that needed a campus. Napier College was formed around the Tower, saving from it demolition and beginning a work of restoration. These restorations would uncover ceilings and stairwells that had been hidden for a century.
The hallway ceiling of the Tower now proudly displays the University’s crest and showcases the Tower’s timeline, a nod to the Napier family, Merchiston Castle School, and Edinburgh Council.
Inside the Tower
Can’t wait to have look. Let’s go on a digital walkthrough. And while, we have lovely pictures, nothing compares in person.
The original great hall stands to the left as you enter. In this hall, you will find a stunning, decorative ceiling that was commemorated during the reign of Charles II, the decorations showcasing the Napier family’s loyalty to the crown. The massive fireplace is thought to be original to the Tower. The north and south windows are original, while, the east window dates from the 17th century. During the restoration in the 1950s, a staircase in the thick walls was found.
The once hidden staircase leads to the Boardroom that now stretches across the third and fourth floors. The fourth floor would have been a loft area, home to servants but it has now been opened up to make the room fell bigger, and to properly showcase.
The magnificent Prestongrange Ceiling, it dates from 1581. A rare example of a Scottish Renaissance painted ceiling, it was from Prestongrange House to Merchiston Tower in 1964 for preservation purposes. The ceiling is filled with art, featuring many motifs from folk plays. Truly Unique!
Merchiston Tower and John Napier
In 1550, John Napier was born in the tower house. Over 400 years later, the Tower was saved from demolition and restoration work began for a new college to be named after John Napier. Now, it stands proud in the middle of our biggest campus, home to two of our schools; School of Arts and Creative Industries and School of Computing, Engineering & Built Environment.
Doors Open Day
On the 28th of September, we opened up the Tower to the public to celebrate Doors Open Day. Our second year running, we were delighted to welcome over 180 visitors.
If you are interested in visiting Merchiston Tower in person, please get in touch by emailing heritage@napier.ac.uk or library@napier.ac.uk. Tours are free but are dependent on staff and room availability so will require booking in advance.
Please note that – due to the steep and uneven medieval staircases – the Tower is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
For more information about the University’s Heritage Collections, have a look at our website.
Our newspaper e-resources: Times Digital Archive and NexisUni
You might have already used one of many databases to search through academic journals. But did you know that the library also offers some amazing resources that give you access to historical and contemporary news? Let’s dive into what Times Digital Archive and NexisUni offer.
Times Digital Archive
Ever needed to check what was happening in the world a century ago? Times Digital Archive offers full access to The Times pass issues, covering over 200 years of news from 1785 to 2019. Whether you’re studying English, media, or any field that benefits from historical context, this is your go-to.
With this resource, you can search for original articles, opinion pieces, obituaries, and even advertisements that paint a picture of what life was like in different eras. The high-quality scans ensure you’re reading the exact newspaper layout as it appeared back then. It’s like holding history in your hands—digitally, of course. Need to compare media portrayals of major events, like World War I or the moon landing? It’s all there, easily searchable by date or keyword.
Go to LibCal to sign up to an online session on 13th November (14:30-15:45) to learn how to make the most of this fantastic resource and how it can help you with your next assignment or a project.
NexisUni
While Times Digital Archive takes you back in time, NexisUni is all about the present. This resource offers access to thousands of newspapers from across the globe. It’s perfect for students in fields like journalism, marketing, business, or anyone needing up-to-date information.
With NexisUni, you can search news from today or the last few decades—everything from breaking news to in-depth investigative journalism. And it’s not just limited to newspapers. You can find transcripts from news broadcasts, legal cases, and even industry reports. This means whether you need global perspectives or niche insights, you’ll find it all in one place.
Why You Should Use These Resources
Both resources are easy to use and accessible right from the Databases tab in the LibrarySearch. They can help you refine your assignments by providing primary and credible sources that go beyond a basic web search. Plus, diving into past and present news can be surprisingly fascinating!
You can find guidance and tips on using both NexisUni and Times Digital Archive on LibGuides.
The Construction Information Service (CIS) is a major database for anyone working in architecture, civil and structural engineering, building control, mechanical and electrical engineering, surveying, building contracting and other areas within the construction industry.
The CIS database is updated daily and covers every phase of the construction process. It is an online tool which provides access to current construction regulations, construction standards, technical advice, construction project management tools, and industry news on building, engineering, design, and construction processes in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Construction Information Services and You
The CIS database has over 20,000 documents from over 300 publishers. And contains essential sources providing the most up-to-date information from within the construction industry.
You can find CIS by clicking on the Databases tab within LibrarySearch and then searching for Construction Information Service. Two options will appear. Namely Knowledge Workspace: Occupational Health and Safety Information Service (OHSIS): and Environmental Management and Construction Information Service (CIS). Select Construction Information Service (CIS).
The database provides access to a wide range of content that is not available anywhere else. Users can conduct a standard search or use the Advanced Search option to find information. Using keywords relevant to your topic will help to narrow down the number of results and there are filters available to help you narrow your search further and find relevant content.
CIS provides access to a wide range of UK construction catalogues. As well as equipment information and CAD drawings as well as access to product catalogues from manufacturers both within the UK and overseas. CIS offers a single search point for the widest set of Eurocodes, UK National Annexes and Non-contradictory Complimentary Information (NCCI) material. Users can also have direct access to other publications. As well as extensive coverage of healthcare building and construction information. CIS Building Regulations Interest areas are available covering Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to help with compliance.
Using CIS will help users to create designs and construction methods, and keep up with advances in new technology. And ensure that their designs are compliant and sustainable. The entire construction process from beginning to end is supported which will help projects to be completed precisely within designated time frames.
I dread this weekend all year: the weekend the clocks go back to Greenwich Mean Time. In case you’ve forgotten, time will move back by one hour at 2am on Sunday 27th October. In this way, we “rob” an hour of daylight from the morning and add it to the end of the day. The concept has been around since the late 1700s, but it was only introduced in the First World War as a way of saving the nation’s energy.
It’s been with us ever since and yes – it’s nice to get an extra hour on Sunday, but that’s little consolation for the now rapid descent into winter.
If, like me, you already struggle with the long hours and weeks of darkness, it’s worth noting the wealth of research that suggests that changing the clocks can have a serious effect on our health. It can knock out the alignment of your body’s natural rhythms and leave you more accident-prone, more vulnerable to lower cognitive performance, mood disruption and other debilitating effects.
Perhaps the biggest problem is a potential disruption to your sleep pattern. Well-managed sleep hygiene is crucial to general good health and well-being, and The Sleep Charity has published a guide to minimising the disruption:
Along with your physical health, it’s important that you take special care of your mental wellbeing in winter. Look out for signs of SAD – seasonal affective disorder.
This October we’re celebrating Black History Month at Edinburgh Napier. And as part of this, we’d like to take a quick look at the case of Joseph Knightv. John Wedderburn, a historic legal case from the 1770s that saw the Scottish Court of Session officially declare that slavery laws were not applicable under the Scottish legal system. It marked the first official condemnations of slavery to come from a court in Britain.
Joseph Knight
Joseph Knight was a man born in West Africa around 1750. He was sold into slavery as a young boy and sent to the British colonies in Jamacia. As such, a great deal about his early history is unknown to us now, having been erased due to the colonialism of the era. What we do know is that when Knight was 12 or 13 years old he was purchased by a man named John Wedderburn, a plantation owner from Scotland. In a rarity for the era, Knight was taught how to read and write by Wedderburn. He planned to take Knight with him back to Scotland once he returned in 1769. In Scotland, Knight met and married Ann Thompson, another servant of the Wedderburn family. But when he asked to be able to live with her, he was refused by Wedderburn. Wanting to be with his wife, Knight left Wedderburn’s service. Wedderburn responded in a way that is reflective of the paternalistic racism of the era. Feeling that Knight owed him service due to the “gift” of education that he bestowed upon Knight and angered by what he saw as the loss of his property, Wedderburn had Knight arrested. A court in Perth ruled that Knight was to be considered Wedderburn’s property as per his slave contract. However, the Sheriff of Perth, a man named John Swinton, argued that the slavery laws of Jamaica, where Knight was purchased, held no sway over Scots Law. Knight should now be considered a free man in Scotland.
Court Battle
Following the ruling, Wedderburn launched a second appeal to the Court of Session in Edinburgh, the highest civil court in Scotland. He argued that Knight’s slave contract was still in effect and that Wedderburn had the right to separate Knight from his family and take him back to Jamaica. The case rested on Scotland’s ties to the British Empire and its slave trade. Wedderburn’s lawyers argued that Scotland had greatly benefitted from the slave trade, with the so-called “Tobacco Lords” of Scotland bringing a great deal of money to the country. As such, Wedderburn felt that it was in Scotland’s financial interests to give preference to the laws of slave colonies.
Knight’s case rested on the argument that the laws of slavery were unnatural and unjust and that Scotland could not be expected to uphold such laws just because they were in place elsewhere. Furthermore, it was argued that Knight should be protected under Scottish laws against unlawful imprisonment. They cited a similar English court case in 1772, Somerset v Stewart, which declared that the institution of slavery was never formally protected under the law, arguing that this meant that slaves brought to Scotland were not beholden to their slave contracts.
Court Decision
After deliberating on the arguments, the twelve judges in the Court of Sessions voted eight to four in favour of Knight. They officially ruled that the slave laws of the colonies were not recognised under Scots Law, and in fact, were incompatible with the principles that Scottish laws were founded upon. One of the judges of the Court of Sessions, Alexander Boswell, was quoted as saying:
“Is a man a slave because he is black? No. He is our brother, and this is a man. Although not our colour, he is in a land of liberty, with his wife and child, let him remain there.”
It was a landmark ruling in the history of the Scottish legal system, resulting in what is one of the first legal rulings against slavery. The case struck a blow to the institution of the British slave trade and is now looked on as a significant case in the cause to abolish slavery.
