The collection is composed of notes and news cuttings at Dc.2.76/17, a dissertation at Gen. 1931, and three manuscript diaries at E2008.14.

The material at Dc.2.76/17 consists of a notebook (circa 17 pages) with notes accompanying several newspaper cuttings on various University activities. The front cover is noted 'Edinburgh University / Various Student Activities / 1887-1888'. It contains clippings relating to: the Rectorial Elections 1887 and 1888 and from the Scottish Leader 28 March 1887, and Evening News 30 October 1888; Scottish university life, 10 December 1887; the Funeral of Professor Dickson, The Scotsman 5 January 1888; Mme Fanny Moody of the Carl Rosa Opera Company, Evening Dispatch 8 December 1888; the Morrell Mackenzie incident in December 1888, Evening Dispatch 6 December, 7 December 1888, and Pall Mall Gazette 12 December 1888; and various relating to the Universities Bill, 1888.

At Gen. 1931 there is a bound manuscript dissertation on 'Aphasia' given by Carruthers before the Royal Medical Society in Edinburgh in 1888.

The three manuscript diaries at E2008.14 begin on 13 October 1885 with Carruther's arrival in Edinburgh early in the morning having travelled on the night-train from Kings Cross, London. He writes about unpacking at his 'digs' in Warrender Park Terrace, and taking a 'constitutional' on Blackford Hill. The first volume ends in 1886. The second diary begins on Saturday 1 January 1887 when he began the year 'in a cab on the way home'. After breakfast he helped 'in some toffee-making' but 'burnt the toffee'. During 1887 there occurred Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and on 21 June, Carruther's notes the 'long-to-be-remembered Jubilee day' . The third diary begins on Sunday 1 January 1888 and ends August 1888. The diaries contain notes about his medical studies too.

The diaries also contain newspaper cuttings, including press reports about the Diamond Jubilee, the Rectorial Elections 1887, and Edinburgh University Graduation Ceremonial 1888.