The Breadalbane Collection

The Breadalbane Collection, an eclectic gathering of 16th century documents of the Campbells of Glenorchy.

  • These 324 letters were recently discovered within the extensive correspondence in the Breadalbane Collection, now housed in the National Archives of Scotland (NAS).
  • The original Breadalbane Letters are found in NAS GD112/39 Bundles 1 to 14 and part of Bundle 15. The earliest letter is dated 1548 and the transcriptions end in 1583 with the death of Grey Colin.
  • With some originals having suffered damage, parts of the letters are illegible, though some damaged passages have been reconstituted from the notes in the MacGregor Collection (NAS GD50).
  • This collection, edited by Professor Jane Dawson, provides unique insight into Scottish life during the early modern period.
  • A selection of 202 letters was published as Clan Campbell Letters 1559–1583 ed. J. Dawson Scottish History Society 5th series Vol 10 1997. This volume is now out of print.

For ease of reference, the letters have also been catelogued by date and by bundle.

Please send feedback and any comments or corrections to the Letters to Professor Jane Dawson. 

Background

16th century and the collection's historical background

Ownership and copyright

The manuscript letters are owned by the National Archives of Scotland, and the copyright of the letter transcripts is held by Prof. Jane Dawson, School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh. You may download these transcripts but, if citing, please give the correct NAS reference and acknowledge this site.

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