Digital technology to be used to uncover original design of General Register House

Laser scanners have been used to capture the intricate detail of one of Edinburgh’s most historic landmarks.

General Register House, home of National Records of Scotland, will be recorded by a team from the Historic Scotland and Glasgow School of Art in a bid to preserve Scotland’s rich architectural heritage.

The team, part of the Scottish Ten Project, will carry out a detailed 3D survey of the building which was designed by architect Robert Adam,

When combined with the original architectural drawings, building records, contemporary engravings and paint research, the digital data will enable an accurate model of General Register House as it would have appeared when it was first built in 1788.

Keeper of the Records and Registrar General George Mackenzie said: “I am delighted to be working with Historic Scotland and Glasgow School of Art to digitally document and model this wonderful building. Innovative when it opened in 1790 it is still being used for its original purpose, which is to house our nation’s archives.”

Pre-dating both Public Record Office of Ireland (1830s) in Dublin and the Public Record Office (completed 1858) in Chancery Lane, London, its construction is seen as a major achievement of the Scottish Enlightenment.

General Register House was the first public building in Edinburgh’s New Town, occupying a pivotal position at the south end of the North Bridge, which, before the creation of the Mound, formed the principal link between the Old and New Towns.

After 225 years General Register House continues to serve its original purpose.

In 1790, following the completion of the building, James Salisbury, the clerk of works, was instructed to make a detailed wooden model of General Register House to record what had been built for maintenance purposes and as a guide to the architect’s proposals for its future extension.

The original has been lost however it is hoped the new digital survey will perform similar functions.

Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns World Heritage Site is being digitally recorded as part of a project to scan all of Scotland’s UNESCO-recognised sites as well as five international sites as part of the Scottish Ten project.