My Edinburgh visit began with a tour of the Advocates Library organised by Maria Robertson, their Reader Services Librarian. Advocates practice alone so use the Library both for research and as an office. Maria met us in the impressive 17th Century Parliament Hall where advocates walk up and down with their clients, discreetly discussing their cases.

The Library was set up by the advocates in 1689. The collection grew quickly and in 1709 Queen Anne’s Copyright Act gave it the right to claim any book published in the UK. In 1925 the Advocates Library gifted its non-legal collection to the newly formed National Library of Scotland. It continues to be a Copyright Deposit Library for all legal publications and now holds the most comprehensive legal collection in the British Isles.

The 2004 Directory of the Faculty of Advocates states “Please note the Devilmasters appear in order of seniority” and each advocate’s entry included a list of Devilmasters. Maria explained this mystical sounding Scottish term. To gain experience, a ‘trainee advocate’ shadows one or more senior advocates. This is called ‘devilling’ – so the trainees become ‘Devils’ and their advocates become ‘Devilmasters’! Unlike English barristers, advocates do not work in Chambers, but if a number of advocates use the same clerk this grouping is known as a ‘Stable’ and is named after the clerk.

We quietly entered the Library from Parliament Hall. The grand main room contains the enquiry desk and most frequently used books. Off this is a labyrinth of rooms, vaults, a huge hall and hidden staircases. It seems old fashioned but the desks are full of advocates and devils busily working on their laptops. There is a new library management system and the Members have access to the collection in print and electronic form 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Happily the Library staff are not expected to work these hours!

In contrast, the Conference Centre is new and modern. Over three days we were treated to talks and discussions on a wide range of subjects relating to various types and sizes of library – there was something for everyone. Even topics which appear irrelevant to one’s own situation give you new ideas to digest and an insight into other peoples challenges and achievements, and highlight the ever widening range of skills required by today’s information managers. It is also useful hearing delegates immediate reactions to speakers ideas.

This year networking was particularly rewarding as I work for two Scottish firms and could meet local librarians. I also enjoyed ‘mentoring’ Jane Bradshaw from Royal Mail. This included making introductions to friends and colleagues – thank goodness for name badges as I remember faces but not always the names.

The evening events provided an opportunity to meet foreign delegates. It was interesting to hear not only their professional experiences but also about the tranquillity of Vancouver Island, the diversity of Cape Town and the political situation in Hong Kong. I think their most vivid memory from Edinburgh might be the ‘Highlander’ style drum and bagpipe band that piped them into dinner!