The libraries of the Catholic Church in Scotland have valuable holdings in many subject areas. The contents of each library reflect the different interests and research areas that the institutions have had over the past five centuries and more. Many of the libraries have been brought to Edinburgh and centralised with the National Library of Scotland. Significant collections are still maintained by the Colleges in Rome, Salamanca and Glasgow.

SCOTTISH CATHOLIC ARCHIVES LIBRARY

The Scottish Catholic Archives maintains a library of over 7000 titles and many periodicals which supports research at Columba House. The Collection includes material from the 15th century, with 158 volumes deposited with the National Library of Scotland.

Location: Scottish Catholic Archives,Columba House, Edinburgh

BLAIRS COLLEGE LIBRARY

The library of St Mary's College, Blairs, Aberdeenshire was deposited with the National Library of Scotland in 1974. The library of the College consisted of c27,000 books. They are fully catalogued and available via www.nls.uk.

Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

ST ANDREWS COLLEGE (DRYGRANGE) COLLECTION

Composing the items from the Rare Books Room at Drygrange, 2300 items from the library of St Andrew's College, Drygrange were deposited with the National Library of Scotland in 1986 and contains books from the College and St Margaret's Convent, Edinburgh.

Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

GILLIS LIBRARY, EDINBURGH

A research and lending library in the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, the Gillis Library draws a core collection from the libraries once housed at St Andrew's College, Drygrange and the former St Margaret's Convent, based on the same site. It is still actively updated with current periodicals and books.

Location: Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh

OBAN CATHEDRAL COLLECTION

129 items from Oban Cathedral were deposited with the National Library of Scotland in 1994. The collection ranges from the 16th to the 20th century and contains mainly theological and devotional works.

Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

FORT AUGUSTUS ABBEY COLLECTION 

In 1992, the older items from the Fort Augustus Abbey Library were deposited with the National Library of Scotland. Comprising 6929 items, they are mostly pre-1801, the core of which comes from the Schottenkloester (the Scots Abbey of St James) in Ratisbon, Germany.

Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh 

PRESHOME CHAPEL LIBRARY

Over 4700 books from the library of the Chapel House at Preshome were deposited with the National Library of Scotland in 1975.

Location: National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh 

SCOTUS COLLEGE LIBRARY, GLASGOW

Scotus College in Bearsden, Glasgow maintains a library for the support of its programme of Priestly formation.

Location: Scotus College, Bearsden, Glasgow 

ROYAL SCOTS COLLEGE LIBRARY, SALAMANCA

The 'Scots College Salamanca' maintains a library.

Location: Scots College, Salamanca, Spain 

PONTIFICAL SCOTS COLLEGE LIBRARY, ROME

The 'Scots College Rome' maintains a library.

Location: Scots College, Rome, Italy 

CHAPELTOWN LIBRARY 

The library formerly found in Chapeltown, Glenlivet is now located at Bishop's House, Aberdeen.

Location: Bishops' House, Queen's Cross, Aberdeen