Unlocking the Secrets of Scotland’s Past: Historic Environment Scotland Archives Featured on BBC’s ‘A House Through Time’

The rich, storied past of Scotland’s built environment takes center stage tonight as the Historic Environment Scotland (HES) Archives and Library feature in the latest episode of the hit BBC Two documentary series, A House Through Time.

Now in its sixth season, the popular series—presented by historian and Professor of Public History David Olusoga—has turned its focus to the Scottish capital. Tonight’s episode centers on the history of 20-22 Calton Hill, a category B-listed building located in the heart of Edinburgh. To piece together the building’s complex narrative, Professor Olusoga turned to the HES Archives, a repository housing over two million items, ranging from architectural blueprints to rare photographic prints.

A Narrow Escape for Calton Hill

Among the treasures uncovered by the production team were the archives of renowned architect Sir Basil Spence. During the 1960s, Spence served as a consultant for a redevelopment project that aimed to overhaul St James Square, Leith Street, and Broughton Street.

The documents reveal a fascinating, albeit controversial, piece of urban history: plans were once drafted to demolish the historic Calton Hill homes to make way for a bowling alley. Ultimately, the proposal was rejected, sparing the architecture that now serves as a window into the city’s past. These rejected plans provide a rare glimpse into how close Edinburgh came to losing a significant piece of its residential heritage.

A Resource for Everyone

While the archives provided the backbone for a primetime documentary, they remain an invaluable, free resource for the public. Whether researching local history, investigating the genealogy of a property, or browsing aerial photography dating back to the 1920s, members of the public are encouraged to visit the HES facility at John Sinclair House.

“It’s always exciting to welcome a film crew to our archive and be able to showcase everything we have to offer,” said Fran Baseby, Deputy Head of Archives and Library at HES. “From records on the Neolithic settlement at Skara Brae to the rise of tenement housing across Scotland, we can help anyone who is interested in learning more about the built heritage around us.”

A Season of Discovery

This series has already seen Professor Olusoga explore the city’s deep connections to global history. In the first episode, he utilized the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle—another site under the stewardship of HES—to recount the daring escape of two French prisoners who fled the castle dungeons and eventually made their way home by sea.

For those inspired by the show to conduct their own historical research, the HES Search Room & Library is open from Tuesday to Friday (10 am – 4 pm) at 16 Bernard Terrace, Edinburgh. Additionally, the public can explore a vast array of the organization’s collections online via the Historic Environment Scotland portal, Trove, which aggregates data from Canmore, SCRAN, and the Property in Care collections into a single, accessible platform.

A House Through Time airs tonight, Thursday, September 3, on BBC Two.