Hi folks, Hope you don't mind too much. I was responding yesterday to Helen, through Pam, on the Angus list who is planning a trip to Edinburgh. I found that the NAS allows searches of their catalog.....which is great, as you need to do before you go to the reading room, if you are planning a trip as the NAS is a system of buildings.....and they are like stacks are the local library....you have to pull what you want 10 days to 2 weeks before your planned visit. I'm writing to tell you to search and see what's available. I also want to know any suggestions about places to go in Edinburgh I missed. Search their catalog and order records NAS http://www.nas.gov.uk/ GROS http://scotlandspeople.gov/ http://www.scotsgenealogy.com/ in Edinburgh up by castle Their website has a map, MIs other neat stuff. Hard to find without the map.... Also SCRAN, National Library of Scotland and RCAHMS in Edinburgh. Since parking in Edinburgh is a nightmare I stay in Linlithgow at the Star and Garter and ride the train in. The inn isn't great, pub downstairs with smoke but train station is right in back....5-10 min. to Edinburgh train station is right across street from GROS and NAS....train station store has notebooks. other corner has double deckers for sight seeing...go round once to see everything, board 2nd get off to see what you want, (only one comp. goes big enough loop to see greyfriars bobby if that's important) http://www.scran.ac.uk/ SCRAN 17 Kittle Yards Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PJ http://www.rcahms.gov.uk/contact.html RCAHMS, John Sinclair House, 16 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh EH8 9NX. both have maps of their websites Check queen's schedule if you want to see holyrood? If she's in residence, no tours. Heather is in bloom fall and spring....if you care to see highlands. Another bit of nonsence...Sean Connery was a young Edinburgh milkman and earned extra money posing as a nude model for the art school...I was told by lady who ran my B & B there are some at the National Gallery...but I never went up to see....You may want to see him in his full youthful splendor.... Great Scot! Mary in Oregon (nutty...AYE!) http://www.nls.uk/ National Library of Scotland you can search and order from home.... National Library of Scotland George IV Bridge Edinburgh EH1 1EW Scotland, UK Causewayside Building 33 Salisbury Place Edinburgh EH9 1SL Scotland, UK