To find the answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), read below.
We also provide a glossary of Technical Terms associated with aerial photography and a trio of short Video Help files.
At this stage several thousand. More images are added daily through our programmes of physical preservation, cataloguing and digitisation.
For information on our work programmes please visit the Scotland and Worldwide pages.
Imagery is rotated to be as closely oriented due North South. This makes it easier to orientate the image to the modern landscape which has often dramatically changed.
Click the 'order image' link under your selected image and complete the online order form.
It is free to visit our Search Room to identify suitable images. Alternatively you may commission a Paid Search. Once you have identified the imagery required complete the Image Order Form.
It is free to search and view low-resolution thumbnails. With a Website Subscription you may view larger images at a higher resolution by clicking on the thumbnail.
If you have any comments to make, have encountered a problem with this website, or can think of a way in which our services may be improved, please use the online Contact Form.
The geographical area being searched for. Click here for more information.
The best way to find imagery of a particular location is to first look at the Scotland and Worldwide pages to see what is currently accessible online.
After searching for imagery click the "View Larger Map" button. This opens a new window with your search results shown on Google Maps as centrepoints and thumbnails. From here you can export the centrepoints into Google Earth.
From the Google Map window click the "View in Google Earth" link. In Google Earth you can rotate the earth to best orientate the historical image.
For imagery within Europe we centrepoint and link each image to the relevant EU NUTS Statistical Regions of Europe. For more information please click here.
If you cannot click on a certain region, there is no imagery currently available online. All the regions for which imagery is currently available are listed next to the country maps.
If you cannot find suitable images on the website you may undertake research in our Search Room using our finding aids. To access detailed descriptions of the archives you may consult in the search room - click here.
If you don't want to, or cannot carry out research yourself, you can commission us to undertake a Paid Search. You may alternatively consult an independent researcher.
We are open to the public and free to visit. An appointment date / time is essential and guarantees a workstation in our Search Room and the availability of expert staff. To visit please complete the Search Room Booking Form.
Booking ensures the availability of expert staff. They are primarily focused on making more imagery accessible on the website but can be available, for a certain time, at the agreed arrival time on the date booked.
At the arrival time on the date booked, an expert member of staff will be available to provide an introduction to the finding aids and services. Whilst these staff are happy to explain how the finding aids work, they will not undertake your research for you. For information on Paid Searches please click here.