Welcome to the Library tours

Welcome to the Library tours are running at the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge, with the next one on Saturday 30 October. It's an introductory walk through the Visitor Centre, so it's a good starting point if you've never been inside or if you've only ever popped in for a quick look.

During the tour, the guides walk you through the Visitor Centre and tell the story of the building and the Library's history. They also set out the institution's role in preserving the nation's memory, which gives you a sense of what the place actually does beyond just holding books. It's not just a history lesson, though: you'll find out how to join the Library, how to explore its collections, and how to get the most out of its resources. If you've ever wondered how to actually use the place, this is where you'll get the practical side of things sorted.

When the tour finishes, the shop, café and exhibitions are left open for you to explore on your own. The exhibitions show treasures from the collections, ranging from rare manuscripts to contemporary digital archives, so you can see the kind of things the Library looks after. If you're in the mood for a coffee or a browse through the shop, those are right there too.

The tours run every Thursday and Saturday, and the next one is on Saturday 30 October from 11:30am to 12:15pm. It's a short session, so it doesn't take up your whole morning. You'll find it at the National Library of Scotland Visitor Centre on George IV Bridge in Edinburgh.