A lass from the past

International Women's Day (8 March) is a day to celebrate the collective power of women past, present and future. Here at the National Archives of Scotland (NAS) we have a vast collection of records documenting the influence and contribution women have made to both Scotland and the wider world in both the public and private spheres of life. In addition to the many documentary records in our collections which testify to the contributions of Scottish women through the ages, we have a large collection of pictorial records which document the role of all kinds of women in Scottish life. A small selection of these is shown below.

If you would like to purchase a copy of any of these images or for more information about photographic material in the National Archives of Scotland collections contact Gillian Mapstone, Image Library Manager.

Women and work:

A woman painting pillar boxes in the Carron Iron Factory, 20th century, NAS ref. GD58/21/2/28/11.

Photograph of corn grinding outside a blackhouse, Isle of Skye, 1885, NAS ref. GD1/1295/2.

Women and play:

Leannabh, Flora & Pickle, 1866, taken from the Invercreran photo album NAS ref: GD1/1208/76.

Women and politics:

Photograph of Janet Arthur, suffragist, 1912, taken from the Home and Health Department criminal case files, NAS ref. HH16/43/2.

Women and health care:

Nurses organising children for Salute the Soldier fundraising events, 1939-1945, taken from the National Savings Committee Scotland records, NAS ref. NSC1/394/2.

Women and family:

Grandmama and Daisy, 1866, taken from the Invercreran photo album NAS ref: GD1/1208/1/7.

Portrait of unidentified lady, 1928, taken from the papers of the Bower family of Kincaldrum and Meathie, Angus, NAS ref. GD503/223.