CASTLE AND GARDENS closed until the 27th March 2025 

The Archives

The Argyll Papers: the estate and family archive of the earls and dukes of Argyll

The archive collection at Inveraray Castle records the lives and activities of the earls and dukes and their families, their involvement in political and historical events, and the management of their extensive estates in Argyll and across Scotland.

Visiting the Archives


Would you like to handle parchment documents from the middle ages or read letters signed by Queen Elizabeth I or Mary Queen of Scots? Are you fascinated by historical maps and plans? Would like to see the original architectural designs for building Inveraray Castle, the new town of Inveraray, Rosneath House and many other buildings? Do you have particular research that we can help with? Find out about thousands of stories in the Argyll Estates Archives.

Join one of our unique, fascinating and informative tours: see, touch and smell original documents; find detailed information about the people who lived on the Duke’s lands, most of whom were not Campbells; read about the Campbell family, their activities, their role as leaders of Clan Campbell and how they managed their extensive estates; find out about how we preserve documents in the archive stores; find answers to your specific research questions.

To book a group visit or an individual research appointment, please email: archives@inveraray-castle.com and tell us:

  • when you would like to visit
  • about you or your group – numbers, nationalities, special interests etc 
  • what sort of visit you or your group wants (see below for options)
  • about any particular access needs/requirements 

Individual Research

The archive is open to individuals to pursue private research free of charge. Researchers will be allowed access to the original records or copies thereof (depending on their condition and availability). 
 
There are fees for self-service photography or the provision of high-resolution images. 

Please provide at least 4 weeks advance notice of your intended visit, with preferred date(s) and providing information about your research topic and what you are hoping to discover.  The archives team will confirm whether your preferred date is possible and advise whether there are records to assist your research and of any potential difficulties in accessing them, e.g. poor physical condition, language or handwriting. 

 

Contact details 

To book an individual research visit or a group visit, please contact the Archives team: 

Email: archives@inveraray-castle.com  

Tel: 01499 302698 

Please note open times for the Archives differ from the Castle.
The Archives are open:
Tues, Weds and Thurs each week (and other days by arrangement) 

Group Visits

Group visits are available to the general public, special interest groups, students and schools. It is also possible to deliver a 'virtual visit' using Zoom or other platform. 

Costs are inclusive of VAT. 

Introduction to the Archives  

  • an introductory talk about the collection 
  • a display of original documents with the opportunity to touch, read and smell 
  • a tour of the secure stores 
  • duration approx 1½ hours  
  • max 12 participants. 

Costs: £100 preparation fee + £15 per person 

‘Walk and Talk’ tour  

  • guided tour of the secure stores 
  • find out about the collection and how it is preserved 
  • see gems from the collection 
  • approx 1 hour 
  • max 5 participants 

Costs: £15 per person 

Skills workshops

  • Decoding the documents, 17th & 18th century. Learn the skills required to read early modern Scottish handwriting, also known as secretary hand. Working largely from images of documents from the collection and including some originals.  
  • Decoding the documents, 19th & 20th century. 19th & 20th century hand-writing looks more familiar to the modern eye, but carelessness and plain bad handwriting present new challenges.
  • Understanding historic house archives. What records have been created by landed families administering their estates, why were they created and what they can tell us about the past?
  • duration approx 1½ hrs 
  • minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 participants 

Costs: £25 per person per session 

 
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