The Hamish Henderson Archive Trust was established in June 2011 to secure the personal archive of Scotland's foremost folklorist, who was also a major poet, songwriter and political activist. As the work of the Trust progresses in the coming months, this site will provide updates on our campaign to secure Hamish's papers for Scotland, with exclusive insights into the inventory process taking place over summer 2011.
Please consider donating to the Trust to help secure the legacy of this important cultural figure whose contribution to Scottish life is long overdue full recognition.
Hamish Henderson (1919-2002) was Scotland's leading folklorist, as well as a major poet, soldier, socialist, songwriter, CND peace campaigner and anti-apartheid activist. His work as a folk-song collector at the University of Edinburgh's School of Scottish Studies formed the bedrock of the Scottish folk revival. His lifetime of correspondence both private and through the columns of national newspapers is legendary. Such material forms a large part of the Trust's work.
Hamish’s papers consist at present of around thirty boxes and suitcases of letters, journals, notebooks, ephemera and photographs, along with fragments of poems and songs, some unpublished. His correspondents include many of the 20th century's leading folk singers, musicians, and scholars, political figures and activists, and other cultural luminaries.