National Library of Scotland - a relatively young institution. It was founded in 1925. The library is located in several buildings in the center of Edinburgh, the main building is located on the bridge of George IV. Another modern building built in 1980 in the southern part of the city.

Before the official founding of the library functions of the National Library with the right to receive legal deposit library served the Bar. It was founded in 1689 and acquired the status of a national library and the right to receive legal deposit in 1710

By the beginning of XX century the library funds have grown so much that they have become too large for a private organization, and the library was donated to the Scottish nation. Special Act of Parliament in 1925 was the establishment of the National Library of Scotland. Sir Alexander Grant has donated two hundred thousand pounds sterling to the library and the construction of a new building for it. The building was started in 1938, but World War II interrupted the construction, and it was completed only in 1956. In the early '90s was built a new modern building in the south of Edinburgh, it arranged as a storage and reading rooms.

The library's collection is stored many rare books and manuscripts: the Gutenberg Bible, cover letter Charles Darwin, is attached to the manuscript of "The Origin of Species", "First Folio" - the first meeting of John Shakespeare folio, the last letter of Mary Stuart. Also in the collection of the library a large collection of maps.