Getting better all the time! Maisie your idea sounds good but I don't know of anywhere that holds more than IGI for Scotland. But if folks have English research to do too, that's a different story.
Borthwick Institute in York is apparently the biggest repository outside London, but exactly what it holds I'm not sure - anybody know? From website it looks to me to be York/shire related (not surprisingly) but they may have more. There is also an LDS Library in York, but limited opening times. Shopping in York is good too with excellent park and ride facilities (suggest not weekend unles you like crowds), but I'm open to any suggestions.
One idea I had that might satisfy the genealogy need to some extent, in the absence of records to trawl - how about we each brought our worst brickwall, throw it open for discussion and ideas. We won't be able to solve them without having access to records (though a library with internet could help there) but we might get new ideas about where we should be looking. I know I have one in particular that I haven't got a clue where to try next. Just an idea ??
Best wishes
Pinkshoes
I'm not electing myself to the position of Organiser in Chief, but unless anyone has a burning desire (or the keys to the pub) I'm happy to take on board the collective ideas and sort something out.