The Scottish National Buffalo Bill Archive exists for the specific purpose of retrieving and preserving as much of the historical record as possible in connection with the visits of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show to Scotland, in the form of both photographic and written materials. It is also intended to facilitate further reseach, as well as to extend material assistance to museums, archives, historical societies, exhibitions, and representatives of the media. It also goes without saying that any contributions to the existing substantial body of archive materials will be very gratefully received indeed!

It has generally been assumed that Cody's tours of other parts of the UK were no more than a footnote to his sojourns in the English metropolis, but even a casual study of the Scottish visits reveal that this is very far from actually being the case.

The Wild West show came to Scotland twice.

In 1891-92, Buffalo Bill's Wild West undertook a lengthy residency at the East End Exhibition Buildings at Dennistoun, in the city of Glasgow. The show opened on the 16th of November 1891, and closed on the 27th of February 1892.

Cody returned in 1904, with an expanded version of the show. It was now known as Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World, following the addition of novel elements - primarily though not exclusively equestrian - such as Cossacks, Gauchos, Arabs, English Lancers and Japanese Cavalry, to supplement the ever popular Wild West features.

Visitors may care to note that the information and images on display here represent just a sample of the materials which are presently available. A far fuller account is available in my book 'Your Fathers the Ghosts' - Buffalo Bill's Wild West in Scotland.

Whilst the book has now been written and published, research into Buffalo Bill's Wild West in Scotland remains an ongoing project. Fresh materials are still being uncovered, and in the hope that even more of the story can eventually be brought to the light of day, this site will continue to fulfil its purposes as a focus for mutually beneficial discussion and as an authoritative repository of information for all interested parties.