Final letter of Mary, Queen of Scots to go on display for first time in almost a decade | Scotland
The letter, written by Mary Queen of Scots hours before her execution in 1587, will be displayed for the first time in nearly a decade as part of an exhibition in Perth next year.
Mary wrote what is believed to be her last letter to her brother-in-law Henry III in France at 2 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8, 1587. He wrote to Henri while he was trying to put his affairs in order. He was executed six hours later at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire.
The letter, written in French, is held in the National Library of Scotland and rarely leaves the library’s vaults, mainly for preservation reasons.
The work was last on display for a single day at the National Library in 2017, and you can visit Edinburgh’s Hall IV to see it. “Lines of people” had formed along George Bridge.
People will now have the opportunity to see the famous manuscript once again when it goes on display at Perth Museum, as part of a program of exhibitions and events aimed at bringing the Queen’s story to life.
Alison Stevenson, director of collections, access and research at the National Library of Scotland, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people to see the final letter.
“It was last on public display in 2017 and for just one day there were queues of people along the George IV Bridge.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Culture Perth and Kinross to bring the letter to Perth Museum and a range of collections and events to AK Bell Library.”
As well as the exhibition at Perth Museum, other items from the National Library collections will also be displayed at the nearby AK Bell library.
This complementary exhibition, The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots, will feature a manuscript of Robert Burns’s poem Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring, and early manuscripts of Liz Lochhead’s play Mary Queen of Scots Beheaded.
Culture Perth and Kinross’ head of audience and learning, Ashleigh Hibbins, described the exhibition as a “homecoming” for the letter, given Mary’s connections to the region.
“We are immensely proud that Mary Queen of Scots’ last letter to Perth Museum marks the first time this valuable piece of history has traveled north of Edinburgh in the modern era,” he said.
“Perth and Kinross are central to Mary’s story, particularly her imprisonment, abdication and dramatic escape from Lochleven Castle.
“Mary’s moving last words will be displayed in a wider exhibition, along with objects from the reigns of her son and grandson, right above the Stone of Destiny, so we really see this as a homecoming.
“Mary’s story continues to resonate with people, so we are delighted to be able to share a companion exhibition at the AK Bell Library of original material by Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead, two equally iconic Scots inspired by the cursed queen.”
Scottish culture minister Angus Robertson said: “His final letter, penned just hours before his execution, is an invaluable record from someone who lived more than 400 years ago, and we owe a great debt of gratitude to all those who preserved it from his hands, as well as the care of our national library.
“Scotland’s history belongs to all of us, so I’m delighted to have it showcased in Perth as part of the library’s centenary celebrations.
“Due to its age this letter is rarely displayed, so I would strongly encourage people in Scotland and beyond to make the most of this opportunity before it is returned to storage for safe keeping.”
This item is on loan from the National Library as part of the Outwith: The National Library Around Scotland program to celebrate the library’s centenary.
The last letter of Mary, Queen of Scots will be on display at the Perth Museum from Friday, January 23 until Sunday, April 26, 2026.
The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots exhibition will run at the AK Bell Library in Perth from 23 January to 25 April 2026.
Access to both exhibitions is free.
