What is an archive?
It has been defined as "those records which, having been appraised, no longer have any current use but have been selected for permanent preservation." The word 'archive' could also mean the buildings where archival material is kept, otherwise known as a repository.

The Trust's Central Office houses a major reference library which covers the many Conservation disciplines carried out by the NTS.

Who we are
The NTS employs one full-time Archivist based at the Trust's Central Office in Edinburgh. He is responsible for the Trust's organisational and departmental archives, is jointly responsible with the property managers for the historic collections held at some properties, and also looks after the Trust's central reference library. There is another Archivist, Magda Sagarzazu, who is based at Canna House and who looks after the John Lorne Campbell and Margaret Fay Shaw archive collections.

What we do
The main functions of the Archivist, in collaboration with other NTS colleagues such as Conservators and Curators, is to both care for and conserve these many and varied collections so that they are preserved for future generations, and to facilitate access to the papers for research purposes.

There are many factors involved in the care and conservation of the Trust's archive collections. They include: examining the storage and environmental conditions; assessing the security of the collections, especially the Trust's Vital Records, such as Council and Board Minutes, Annual Reports etc; re-packaging collections into non-acidic materials; listing and cataloguing the different series of records; promoting the research potential within the collections by publishing these catalogues and having close links to other research and educational bodies; facilitating access to researchers; conducting research enquiries on behalf of others, and so on.

Archives and Libraries Advisory Panel
In 2007, the NTS is hoping to set up an Archives and Libraries Advisory Panel, where it is hoped the expert knowledge of Panel members will assist and advise on current issues affecting these subjects, and to guide future policy on them.

A drawing of a Hebridean Blackhouse from the late 19th century, taken from the NTS St Kilda archives.