From the largest map collection in Scotland to the archive of explorer David Livingstone, discover National Library of Scotland resources on geography and the world around us.
Find out how explorers in the past developed our understanding of the world and learn about the people, places and environments of the world today.
Aiming high
This resource looks at the achievements of pioneering women from the 19th-20th centuries
You are here
You are here: 10 things you need to know about maps looks at key questions about how maps are made and how we understand them. It features interactive quizzes and downloadable learning activities
Mapping History
Learn more about reading and using historical maps in this online guide. Includes activities PDFs for downloading, and information for teachers
Shackleton and Wordie
Shackleton and Wordie pages look at items relating to Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1917 and the expedition's Scottish geologist, James Wordie
Scott's last expedition
'Scott's last expedition' looks at items in the Library's polar collections relating to the British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, and includes discussion points
David Livingstone
David Livingstone 'Themes in focus' pages introduce the life and travels of 19th-century Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone through items in Library collections