Happy Holidays!

We'd like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and safe and prosperous New Year.

Best wishes from everyone in ARMMS and CAIS at the University of Dundee.

Stuck for a Christmas present?

An early view of G.L. Wilson

If you can't think what to buy a loved one for Christmas you might like to take inspiration from the archives of G.L. Wilson department store. The store, popularly know as 'The Corner' because of its position on the corner of Murraygate and Commercial Street, Dundee, was founded in 1894 and rapidly became a Dundee institution. 

The 1959 Santa Club

The store was well know for its imaginative Christmas displays and shows, and its annual procession with Santa Claus drew large crowds onto the streets of Dundee. 


As well as business records the archives contain many catalogues advertising the store's products and sales.

Crowds view  the Santa procession 1950s

 The Christmas catalogues contain a wealth of ideas for exciting gifts for Christmas. Click on the link below for 'Smart Christmas Aprons' for the special lady in your life; 'Useful Gifts for Men and Boys' ('Every Many needs Ties'); 'Intimate Gifts for Girl Friends'; some familiar 'Xmas Books'; and, for a peaceful Christmas, 'Let Your Children Fight their Country's Battles over again'. 
Click here for your Christmas gift guide.

Student protests at Dundee

This 1968 photograph shows students staging a twenty-four hour work-in at the University of Dundee. Second from the left is George Robertson, now Baron Robertson of Port Ellen, who organised the protest.

Student work-in, 1968

Robertson graduated from Dundee in 1968 with a degree in Economics from the newly formed University. At that time students could choose either to take a St Andrews or a Dundee degree and Robertson was one of the minority of students to opt for the latter. Robertson was an active member of the University and a founding contributor of, and regular columnist for, the student newspaper Annasach. The newspaper, which was more political than its modern day equivalent, provided Robertson with some valuable journalistic and campaigning experience. He continued to take an active role in student protests, for example invading the pitch when a rugby team from the Orange Free State played at St Andrews. Robertson went on to become a Labour MP, Secretary of State for Defence and Secretary General of NATO. The issues of Annasach to which he contributed can be consulted in the University Archives (RU 357/1).

Celebrating CAIS Graduates

Congratulations to all 21 students from the Centre for Archive and Information Studies students who graduated on Wednesday 16th November. The University of Dundee held a special Winter Graduation ceremony for the first time this year and several of our students took the opportunity to attend.

CAIS graduates outside Caird Hall, Dundee

Very well done also to Durham Burt, the third CAIS Trainee, who graduated with an MLitt Archives and Records Management with distinction.

Durham Burt, CAIS Trainee

Students qualified with the following degrees:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Archival Studies
• Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Recordkeeping
• Postgraduate Certificate in Family and Local History
• Postgraduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management
• Masters of Letters / Science in Archives and Records Management
• Master of Science in Record Management and Digital Preservation

Caird Hall, Dundee

CAIS is still accepting applications for the 21 online courses it is offering in January covering family history, archives and / or records management, information compliance and digital preservation. Courses last from six to 15 weeks, are tutored by experts and are delivered fully online. Applications for Masters degrees in these subjects are welcomed and we accept applicants from the UK and overseas. For more information see www.dundee.ac.uk/cais or contact armtraining@dundee.ac.uk