The collection constists of 4 volumes containing 29 portrait carbon prints and 90 calotype prints by Hill and Adamson. The images are mainly portraits but also include some scenes of Edinburgh. Some of the portraits within the collection are of Hill and Adamson themselves and members of their families. In addition to this material, there is a volume (volume 5) of 50 photographic carbon prints printed by Jessie Bertram, Rose Street, Edinburgh in 1916 from original negatives by David Octavius Hill's and then published by Andrew Elliot, Princess Street, Edinburgh. These images consist mainly of portraits with a small number of photographs of Edinburgh included. A further 7 loose photographs also exist.

This collection is unfortunately too fragile for users to handle, however the material has been fully digitized and is available to view online both via this catalogue and on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gsalib/sets/72157623414969565/

The collection consists of 305 photographs taken between 1853 and 1896. Sitters included local dignitaries, friends and family including John Brown, Queen Victoria's Ghillie. The collection also includes landscapes and the streets of Glasgow, particularly around the Pollokshields area on the south side of the city. Other subjects include ships, ship yards and stately houses.