'Once in a generation' chance to see Mary Queen of Scots last letter in Scottish town

At 2am on Wednesday 8 February 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots wrote what is believed to be her last letter, writing to her brother-in-law in France to put her affairs in order. Her execution at Fotheringhay Castle took place six hours later.

The letter, held by the National Library of Scotland (NLS), is rarely seen outside of storage. While the vast majority of the Library’s collections can be accessed by anyone in the reading rooms, the letter leaves the vaults only in very special circumstances, partly due to its historical and cultural significance, but primarily for conservation reasons. It was last on display for one day only in 2017.

Now, it will be exhibited for three months at Perth Museum as part of OUTWITH: National Library around Scotland – a special programme of loans, events and activities taking place at locations around the country to mark the National Library’s centenary.

Alison Stevenson, director of collections, access and research at NLS, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people to see the Last Letter. The last time it was on public display was back in 2017 for one day only, and there were queues of people forming along George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. We are delighted to partner with Culture Perth and Kinross to bring the letter to Perth Museum, as well as a range of collections and events to AK Bell Library.

“The whole point of the ‘OUTWITH’ programme is to take our collections, our people and our services to parts of Scotland beyond the Central Belt. We were greeted with a warm welcome in Aberdeen in autumn this year – people were genuinely keen to learn more about what their national library could do for them. We hope those living in and around Perth will get as much out of our presence next year.”

Ashleigh Hibbins, head of audiences and learning at Culture Perth and Kinross, said the exhibition marked the first time “this precious piece of history” had travelled north of Edinburgh in the modern era.

She said: “Perth and Kinross is at the heart of Mary’s story, particularly her imprisonment, abdication, and dramatic escape from Lochleven Castle. Mary’s poignant last words will be displayed within a wider immersive exhibition, directly above the Stone of Destiny and objects from the reigns of her son and grandson, so we really do view this as a homecoming.”

Culture secretary Angus Robertson said: “Mary, Queen of Scots is one of the most well-known figures in Scottish history. Her last letter, penned just hours before her execution, is a priceless record from somebody who lived over 400 years ago and we owe an immense debt of gratitude to all those who have preserved it from her hand to the care of our national library.”

The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots will be on display from Friday 23 January until Sunday 26 April next year at Perth Museum.

A companion exhibition, The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots’ display featuring other items from the National Library’s collections - including Robert Burns’ poem Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring written in the poet’s own hand and early manuscripts from Liz Lochhead’s iconic play Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off - will be on display to complement the letter will be held at the nearby AK Bell Library, Perth. Access to both exhibitions is free.