Inverness Presbyterial Library was founded in Jan 1706, by the gift of books valued at £775 0s 8 d Scots, sent from piously disposed persons in London to the town of Inverness as the beginning of a presbyterial library in that bounds (Inverness Presbyterial Library, catalogue and borrower's register, GB 231 MS 1066). It was augmented and maintained throughout the eighteenth century by a series of further gifts and bequests received from benefactors living both locally and distant. Notable amongst these are Reverend Robert Baillie (c 1672 - 1726), minister of the second charge there from c 1698 - c 1726, and Dr James Fraser, Secretary and Register of the Royal Hospital of invalids at Chelsea, whose generous benefactions to King's College, Aberdeen enabled refurbishment of the college's library, c 1724 - 25.
For further details on the history of the library see Alexander Mitchell, The Library of Inverness; its origin, constitution, and present condition. Compiled for the information of the Kirk-Session of Inverness by Alexander Mitchell (Inverness, 1901); Inverness kirk-session records 1661-1800, edited by Alexander Mitchell (Inverness: Carruthers, 1902), pp 189 - 206; and Colin A. McLaren and Margaret A. Stephen, Reports and Surveys of Archives in Northern Scotland, Northern Scotland, 2 (1976 - 1977) 187 - 188
From the guide to the Records of Inverness Presbyterial Library, circa 1706 - circa 1743, (University of Aberdeen)
