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Guide: Welcome: Collections

Exploring our Collections

German Atlas of Potato pests, 1925.

Illustration of Potato Beetles, or Kartofellkäfer.

Stamp collectors may be familiar with this colourful insect, as it made appearances on postage stamps throughout Europe in the 20th century. The Colorado Potato Beetle, as its name suggests, is native to the USA and Mexico.

'The Pineapple' by J.L. Collins, 1960.

The quote beneath comes from Spanish historian Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo, who's writing first introduced the pineapple to Europeans.

North of Scotland College of Agriculture (NOSCA) Annual Report 1915-16.

Excerpt detailing the recognition for service of two of its staff in the line of military duty.
J.A. Symon survived the war, and his history of Scottish Agriculture, Scottish Farming: Past and Present was published in 1959.
John Boyd Orr was heavily involved in the early years of the College. He too survived and was recognised for his humanitarian work and studies on nutrition when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1949.
In total, 3 NOSCA personnel were mentioned in Dispatches, while 7 were awarded Military Crosses and Symon and Boyd Orr both received Distinguished Service Orders.

The oldest book in our Aberdeen collection is The True Amazons: or, the Monarchy of Bees, published in 1716

Search our catalogue

You can search our 'SRUC Archive' using the link below. (Note: to access content - view in 'Student/ Staff Desktop').

Our records

We hold a variety of records including:

  • Minute books
  • College publications - prospectuses, student handbooks, prize giving booklets, reports, calendars
  • Exam papers
  • Photographs
  • Slides
  • Maps
  • Student records
  • Press cuttings
  • Student notebooks

In addition, we hold the papers of former staff and students.

Rare Books

We also hold a large collection of rare books dating from the early 17th century. These cover a variety of subjects including:

  • Agriculture
  • Agricultural History
  • Apiculture (Beekeeping)
  • Botany
  • Chemistry
  • Crop Science
  • Dairy Science
  • Entomology
  • General Reference
  • Genetics
  • Geography
  • Horticulture
  • Veterinary Science
  • Zoology