Postcode Units - Scotland
NRS Postcode Extract
Postcode unit boundaries are created and maintained by National Records of Scotland (NRS) for every live small user postcode so that the entire land surface of Scotland is covered by postcode polygons. The dataset represents the smallest plotted unit in Scotland which supports the production of high quality statistics. NRS publish these boundaries twice a year as part of the Scottish Postcode Directory (SPD) which should be considered the definitive source for postcode geographies in Scotland. Note the published version of the SPD does not include Royal Mail information on Delivery Point Count (DPC), Delivery Point Count Non-Residential (DPCNR) or Household Count (HC). Those interested in this information should enquire with geographycustomerservices@nrscotland.gov.uk.
dataset
https://maps.gov.scot/server/services/NRS/SPD/MapServer/WMSServer?
protocol: OGC:WMS
name: PostcodeUnit
description: OGC View Service
function: information
https://maps.gov.scot/server/services/NRS/SPD/MapServer/WFSServer?
protocol: OGC:WFS
name: SPD:PostcodeUnit
description: OGC Feature Download Service
function: download
https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/statistics-and-data/geography/nrs-postcode-extract
protocol: WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link
name: National Records of Scotland website
description: Geography – Scottish Postcode Directory - ESRI Shapefiles
function: information
NRS_SPD_PostcodeBdry
www.nrscotland.gov.uk
eng
https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files/geography/Products/postcode-bkgrd-info.pdf
boundaries
Statistical units
publication
2008-06-01
statistical data
publication
2010-01-13
Postcodes
Boundaries
publication
2020-11-18
-8.80
-0.71
60.87
54.63
creation
2016-03-01
revision
2021-10-08
biannually
National Records of Scotland (NRS) Geography first began plotting postcode boundaries in 1973. The Post Office (as it was at that time) assigned addresses to postcodes and NRS Geography staff manually traced the boundaries around the addresses using Ordnance Survey (OS) 1:10,000 and 1:50,000 maps to reference the boundary lines. Current digital boundaries are created with ESRI’s ArcGIS platform, delineating a notional boundary around address content of a live small user postcode utilising real world features depicted in Ordnance Survey’s MasterMap® product. NRS Postcode boundaries are based on the Postal Address File (PAF®) received from Royal Mail® . This data is provided to NRS Geography on a quarterly basis and provide details of new and deleted postcodes. This information is augmented by information from local authorities (e.g. new development plans). Using all available data, the Geography Branch digitisers plot the changes to the dataset. Ordnance Survey also provides quarterly updates of its ADDRESS-POINT® product. NRS Geography uses this product to check the postcodes, amending any as required. Postcode boundaries are subject to continuous change due to new addresses, single addresses acquiring large user postcodes as mail volume increases (e.g. business addresses), and the need to restrict the number of addresses per unit to less than 100. This dataset is formally issued twice a year as part of National Records of Scotland’s Scottish Postcode Directory (SPD). In addition to postcode geographies, the SPD contains a database detailing the higher geographies that each postcode is assigned to. Note the published version of the SPD does not include Royal Mail information on Delivery Point Count (DPC), Delivery Point Count Non-Residential (DPCNR) or Household Count (HC). Those interested in this information should enquire with NRS Geography Customer Services. For more information on the postcode geography please see background note at www.nrscotland.gov.uk/files/geography/Products/postcode-bkgrd-info.pdf or contact NRS Geography Customer Services.
publication
2010-12-08
false
WMS
1.3.0
This dataset is being made available for your personal, non-commercial use under the terms of the INSPIRE End User Licence because it includes Ordnance Survey (OS) Licensed data. By viewing and or downloading this dataset you will have been deemed to have accepted the terms of this licence. You may not sub-license, distribute, sell or otherwise make available any part of this dataset to third parties (including others within your business), except where expressly authorised in writing by us (the Licensor) and OS (for example, by having a valid licence for the data used in the creation of this dataset).
Geography Branch
National Records of Scotland
Ladywell House, Ladywell Road
Edinburgh
EH12 7TF
United Kingdom
geographycustomerservices@nrscotland.gov.uk
publisher
Geography Branch
National Records of Scotland
Ladywell House, Ladywell Road
Edinburgh
EH12 7TF
United Kingdom
geographycustomerservices@nrscotland.gov.uk
pointOfContact
2021-10-06T12:10:58