Tenement Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Scottish House,Property and Land History

Researching the history of a house, building or land in Scotland will show you just how fascinating the story of your house and local area can really be. Discover tales about people who lived there, uncover lost features, find where your home fits into the history of the local parish or what was there before it was built.

Scotland was the first country to establish a national system of registration for land and property 700 years ago. From the humble croft to the stately castle there is usually some record of its existence. Of course only a few could afford to own land and property. Estate records of major Scottish landowners often list their tenants, leases and rental charges. Useful sources are:

• Sasine Registers
• Census Returns
• Valuation Rolls
• Maps and Plans
• Street Directories
• Gazetteers
• Postcards and Photographs
• Estate Records
• Ordnance Survey Name Books
• Tax Records
• Notarial Protocol Books
• Retours and Service of Heirs
• Register of Great and Privy Seals
• The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland 
• (RCAHMS)

Intrigued to know more? Then contact Chris Halliday, an experienced family historian to bring the history of your house or that of a Scottish ancestor to life. Whether a private or commercial building, a castle, tenement, farm, croft, church, school, lighthouse, railway station, hotel or pub, Chris will be able to uncover an interesting house history story.

For an example of a report from Scotlands Genealogy download below:

DOWNLOAD - EXAMPLE OF A REPORT (PDF)