Mary Queen Scots Letter on Display in Perth After Nearly Ten Years

Published: 11 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots just hours before her execution in 1587 is set to go on display for the first time in almost a decade. This historic manuscript, composed in French, was penned in the early hours of Wednesday, 8 February 1587, as Mary addressed her brother-in-law Henri III of France, arranging her personal affairs. She was executed six hours later at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire, marking a dramatic end to her turbulent life.

The letter is currently held by the National Library of Scotland, where it is rarely removed from its vaults to ensure preservation. The last public display occurred in 2017, when visitors queued along George IV Bridge in Edinburgh to witness this rare piece of history. The renewed exhibition in Perth offers a unique opportunity to see Mary’s final words and gain insight into her final hours.

Perth Museum will host the letter as part of a wider exhibition, accompanied by a programme of events designed to bring the queen’s story vividly to life. Alison Stevenson, director of collections, access and research at the National Library of Scotland, emphasised the significance of the occasion. She described the exhibition as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for the public to view this historic manuscript.

In addition to the letter, other items from the National Library’s collection will be showcased at the nearby AK Bell Library. This companion display, titled The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots, will feature a manuscript of Robert Burns’ poem Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring, alongside early manuscripts from Liz Lochhead’s play Mary, Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off. These exhibits aim to contextualise Mary’s enduring influence on Scottish literature and culture.

Ashleigh Hibbins, head of audiences and learning at Culture Perth and Kinross, described the exhibition as a “homecoming” for Mary’s letter, highlighting her historical connection with the region. Perth and Kinross was central to the queen’s story, encompassing her imprisonment, abdication, and daring escape from Lochleven Castle. Hibbins noted that the letter will be displayed in proximity to the Stone of Destiny, alongside objects related to the reigns of her son and grandson, creating a deeply immersive historical experience.

The Scottish culture secretary, Angus Robertson, praised the preservation of the letter, describing it as a “priceless record” of someone who lived over 400 years ago. He encouraged the public to take advantage of this rare opportunity to view the document before it returns to secure storage. The exhibition forms part of the National Library of Scotland’s Outwith: National Library around Scotland programme, celebrating its centenary.

Visitors will be able to view Mary’s final letter at Perth Museum from Friday, 23 January until Sunday, 26 April 2026. Meanwhile, The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots exhibition at AK Bell Library will run from 23 January until 25 April 2026. Admission to both exhibitions is free, offering a remarkable chance for people across Scotland and beyond to engage directly with this extraordinary historical artefact.

This presentation not only commemorates Mary’s enduring legacy but also highlights the deep cultural resonance her life continues to inspire. The display underscores the importance of preserving and sharing Scotland’s historical treasures with the public, connecting contemporary audiences with a past that remains profoundly compelling.