Scot’s role immortalised

DOCUMENTS that provide an insight into a Scottish earl who played a key role in Canada’s history have been digitally preserved.

Details relating to James Bruce, the 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine, are being preserved as part of a joint project between the National Records of Scotland and Library and Archives Canada.

Elgin served as the governor in chief of British North America and governor general of Canada from 1847 to 1854, and was integral to two key moments in Canada’s history – implementing Responsible Government in 1848 and negotiating the Reciprocity Treaty with the United States in 1854.

More than 2,000 records and 11,000 images have already been preserved as part of the work.

The records are now available online, with culture secretary Fiona Hyslop helping to launch the website at the Canadian parliament yesterday.