Aerial Imagery Archives Available Online

Fascinating aerial photographs of Scotland and Western Europe from the 1940s and 50s can now be viewed online. Two major collections are hosted by the National Library of Scotland (NLS) and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).


The NLS Ordnance Survey Air Photo Mosaics of Scotland, 1944-1950 provide key information on the landscape of post-War Scotland. They complement paper mapping, and represent the first widespread use of aerial survey methods by Ordnance Survey in Scotland. Browse the air photos by zoomable map of Scotland, full interactive map overlays or by map sheet reference.


The National Collection of Aerial Photography, held by RCAHMS, is one of the largest and most significant collections of aerial imagery in the world. It is an invaluable resource for historical research. It contains the largest and most significant collection of historic and contemporary aerial imagery of Scotland.

The National Collection now also contains The Aerial Reconnaissance Archives (TARA) - millions of military reconnaissance images of locations throughout the world declassified by the UK Ministry of Defence. The archives range from Second World War Allies and German Luftwaffe reconnaissance photographs to Cold War imagery.

The RCAHMS links page has an extensive collection of resource links to UK Aerial Imagery, Worldwide Aerial Imagery, Aerial Imagery / Geospatial - Interest Groups, Archive Networks & Catalogues, Resources, Historical Military Maps and Geospatial Intelligence Agencies.