National Library of Scotland

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NLS Find By Place Viewer showing a complete scan of the Ordnance Survey 1:25k map of Edinburgh (sheet NT27, published 1959).

The National Library of Scotland (NLS) has a large collection of georeferenced Out-of-Copyright maps available online of the United Kingdom. Additionally it has other non georeferenced maps, principally for Scotland, which may be of interest.

NLS provides a free and subscription map API enabling you to embed certain map layers in your own website or as a layer inside desktop GIS software. There are a number of additional Out of Copyright map overlay layers which are useful to OpenStreetMap mappers.

Free and subscription map API

NLS have a free Historic Maps api of maps of Great Britain from the 1920s to the 1940s (including 1:1 million to 1:63,360 map series) which means you can add map layers to your own slippy map instance or other services. Map tile delivery of this layer currently free from the NLS servers, available under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

In September 2015, NLS also launched an Historic Maps Subscription api of selected maps of Great Britain and London. These are primarily intended for external institutions or applications making more intense website usage of NLS historic map layers and are delivered using the Tileserver platform.

Other georeferenced maps (for OSM editing)

In addition to the API map layers, there are a number of additional Out of Copyright map overlay layers which are useful to OpenStreetMap/OpenHistoricalMap mappers. All overlays currently available can be viewed on the NLS Explore Georeferenced Maps viewer. Detailed guidance on using all of their imagery for OpenStreetMap is available here.

NLS is happy to have OpenStreetMap make use of these additional georeferenced maps for deriving information and there is dialogue between NLS Senior Curator of Maps, Chris Fleet and a number of OSM mappers in Scotland, England and Ireland to continue to assist this process.

If you wish to use these layers beyond the OSM environment in other applications, please contact NLS. The National Library of Scotland generally is happy to grant free use for non-commercial or private uses, but there are usually fees for commercial use. Read Further information. In all cases, any onward public use should be attributed 'Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland'.

Update on re-using NLS georeferenced layers - December 2021

NLS has created a new guide to Re-using georeferenced Layers in OSM, as part of a wider set of guides on Re-using georeferenced maps. The URLs to the specific georeferenced layers listed below are still valid, but it is now easier to obtain these, as well as many other georeferenced layers, directly following the Where to find Layer URLs guide.

Using the NLS historical mapping for OSM editing

You can manually add the following TMS layers to JOSM TMS (via preferences). These will be available automatically in JOSM in due course. Addition to Potlatch is coming soon. When using these sources for OSM map editing its is requested that you add a "source=NLS Historic Maps" tag or similar.

  • NLS - OS 25-inch County 1892-1905 - Max zoom 18 (This layer is now complete as of July 2015 but please bear in mind coverage is only of the more settled parts of Scotland)
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/25_inch/scotland_1/{zoom}/{x}/{y}.png
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/25_inch/scotland_2/{zoom}/{x}/{y}.png	
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/os/6inchfirst/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/gsgs3906/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/os/britain10knatgrid/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/os/scotland_1250_country/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/scotland_2500_singles/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/scotland_2500_doubles/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/london_1940s/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

The following two Ireland layers are available at http://maps.openstreetmap.ie/oocmaps.html and at http://geo.nls.uk/maps:

  • NLS - Bartholomew Quarter Inch to the mile (1: 253440) 1940
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/ireland/bartholomew/{z}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • NLS - British War Office One Inch to the mile (1:63,360) 1941-43 - (GSGS 4136)
tms:https://mapseries-tilesets.s3.amazonaws.com/ireland/gsgs4136/{z}/{x}/{-y}.png

Further information and usage of these Ireland map layers at: [1]

OS Townplans (Scotland and London)

The following large scale Ordnance Survey town plans are available for editing OpenStreetMap/OpenHistoricalMap courtesy of National Library of Scotland. You can use the TMS URL's to add them manually to editors.

  • Aberdeen 1866-1867:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/aberdeen/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Airdrie 1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/airdrie/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Alexandria 1859:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/alexandria/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Alloa 1861-1862:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/alloa/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Annan 1859:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/annan/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Arbroath 1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/arbroath/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Ayr 1855:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/ayr/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Berwick-upon-Tweed 1852:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/berwick/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Brechin 1862:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/brechin/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Burntisland 1894:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/burntisland/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Campbelton 1865:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/campbeltown/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Coatbridge 1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/coatbridge/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Cupar 1854:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/cupar1854/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Cupar 1893-1894:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/cupar1893/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Dalkeith 1852:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/dalkeith1852/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Dalkeith 1893:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/dalkeith1893/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Dumbarton 1859:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/dumbarton/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Dumfries 1850:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/dumfries1850/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Dumfries 1893:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/dumfries1893/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Dundee 1857-1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/dundee1857/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Dundee 1870-1872:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/dundee1870/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Dunfermline 1854:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/dunfermline1854/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Dunfermline 1894:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/dunfermline1893/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Edinburgh 1849-1851:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/edinburgh1849/{zoom}/{x}/{y}.png
  • Edinburgh 1876-1877:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/edinburgh1876/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Edinburgh 1893-1894:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/edinburgh1893/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Edinburgh 1940s-1960s:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/mapdata3/os/edinburgh_1250_out/{zoom}/{x}/{y}.png
  • Elgin 1868:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/elgin/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Falkirk 1858-1859:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/falkirk/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Forfar 1860-1861:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/forfar/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Forres 1868:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/forres/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Galashiels 1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/galashiels/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Girvan 1857:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/girvan/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Glasgow 1857-1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/glasgow1857/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Glasgow 1892-1894:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/glasgow1894/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Greenock 1857:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/greenock/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Haddington 1853:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/haddington1853/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Haddington 1893:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/haddington1893/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Hamilton 1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/hamilton/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Hawick 1857-1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/hawick/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Inverness 1867-1868:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/inverness/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Irvine 1859:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/irvine/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Jedburgh 1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/jedburgh/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Kelso 1857:
    • tms[20]:http://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/kelso/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Kilmarnock 1857-1859:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/kilmarnock/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Kirkcaldy 1855:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/kirkcaldy1855/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Kirkcaldy 1894:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/kirkcaldy1894/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Kirkcudbright 1850:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/kirkcudbright1850/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Kirkcudbright 1893:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/kirkcudbright1893/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Kirkintilloch 1859:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/kirkintilloch/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Kirriemuir 1861:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/kirriemuir/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Lanark 1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/lanark/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Linlithgow 1856:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/linlithgow/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • London 1893-6:
    • tms[21]:https://geo.nls.uk/mapdata3/os/london/{zoom}/{x}/{y}.png
  • Mayole 1856-1857:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/maybole/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Montrose 1861-1862:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/montrose/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Musselburgh 1853:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/musselburgh1853/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Musselburgh 1893:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/musselburgh1893/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Nairn 1867-1868:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/nairn/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Oban 1867-1868:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/oban/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Peebles 1856:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/peebles/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Perth 1860:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/perth/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Peterhead 1868:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/peterhead/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Port Glasgow 1856-1857:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/portglasgow/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Portobello 1893-1894:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/portobello/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Rothesay 1862-1863:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/rothesay/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Selkirk 1865:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/selkirk/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • St Andrews 1854:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/standrews1854/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • St Andrews 1893:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/standrews1893/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Stirling 1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/stirling/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Stonehaven 1864:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/stonehaven/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Stranraer 1847:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/stranraer1847/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Stranraer 1863-1877:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/stranraer1867/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Stranraer 1893:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/stranraer1893/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Strathaven 1858:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/strathaven/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Wick 1872:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/wick/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Wigtown 1848:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/wigtown1848/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png
  • Wigtown 1894:
    • tms[20]:https://geo.nls.uk/maps/towns/wigtown1894/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png