After visiting the National Library of Scotland earlier in the day, we walked over to the National Archives of Scotland (NAS) where we were greeted by the very gracious education director. She explained that the NAS is comprised of three sites: General Register House (where we were), St. George's Church, and Thomas Thomson House. Records from the 12th century to the present are stored at the NAS. According to our guide, there is a growing demand from people doing genealogical research.
We were shown a number of old records but the most exciting presentation was the actual Exchequer (Treasury) scroll referencing the oldest Scottish record of a whisky transaction. The handwritten scroll, written in ornate and difficult-to-read Latin, records that a buyer in 1495 bought malt from Friar John Cor to make aqua vite ("water of life" aka Scotch Whisky). Earlier scroll entries of other types of transactions date back to the 13th century. What was remarkable to me was the scroll's great condition. It was actually possible to roll and unroll (carefully) this huge ancient paper record.
We were shown a number of old records but the most exciting presentation was the actual Exchequer (Treasury) scroll referencing the oldest Scottish record of a whisky transaction. The handwritten scroll, written in ornate and difficult-to-read Latin, records that a buyer in 1495 bought malt from Friar John Cor to make aqua vite ("water of life" aka Scotch Whisky). Earlier scroll entries of other types of transactions date back to the 13th century. What was remarkable to me was the scroll's great condition. It was actually possible to roll and unroll (carefully) this huge ancient paper record.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment