Library display featuring original Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead material set to open in Perth

The display complements the upcoming exhibition The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots at Perth Museum, both of which are set to open on 23 January

A display celebrating The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots is due to open ahead of Burns Night at the AK Bell Library in Perth.

From Friday 23 January 2026, visitors will be able to view a rare manuscript version of Burns’ poem Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots on the Approach of Spring and early archive material from Liz Lochhead’s iconic play Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off. These treasures are on loan as part of OUTWITH: National Library around Scotland, a programme to mark the Library’s centenary which sees objects from the national collections showcased in venues around  the country.

This rare display of original Burns and Lochhead material complements The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots exhibition at Perth Museum which also opens on 23 January and will feature the last words ever written by the doomed Queen before her execution on 8 February 1587. This is the first time in modern history the fragile letter has been seen north of Edinburgh and the longest it will be on display for a generation.

Liz Lochhead, whose work will be going on display at the AK Bell Library, said, “The National Library of Scotland shared the text of Mary, Queen of Scots’ Last Letter with me way back when I was working on Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off for — and along with Communicado Theatre Company and Gerry Mulgrew, its artistic director. This is probably my best play, certainly the best known.

“It is thrilling to know that the actual letter that Mary Queen of Scots wrote in the hours of the night before her execution — after more or less being on Death Row for many a year in England she knew, all of a sudden, that she was to be executed in the morning — this actual letter, so moving, so brave, is to be on display in Perth Museum. Mary belongs to myth, to Scotland’s dreams, as well as to our history. I don’t know how I could work on anything much at all without the help of the National Library.”

The Library’s Director of Collections, Access and Research, Alison Stevenson said “We are excited about the next leg of our OUTWITH programme going to Perth, where we are bringing a collections item so evocative that it’s been known to take people’s breath away. Mary’s story is so compelling that Scotland’s writers keep coming back to her, as evidenced by the other treasures that we’ll have on display at AK Bell Library in the hand of Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead. Both venues have real gems for people to see up close and we’re delighted to partner with Perth on this.”

Helen Smout, Chief Executive of Culture Perth and Kinross which runs both Perth Museum and the AK Bell Library said “We are delighted that through this tremendous partnership with the National Library of Scotland, we are able to bring to the region these unique documents which give an intimate and very human insight into a historical moment and its iconic and enduring legacy.”

A programme of events for all ages launches on Saturday 24 January, where visitors can meet Robert Burns at the AK Bell Library, and Mary, Queen of Scots at Perth Museum. On the Thursday 29 January, Dr Chris Cassells, head of Archives and Manuscripts, will chairing a panel of National Library of Scotland curators, Dr Ulrike Hogg, Dr Ralph McLean and Dr Colin McIlroy, who care for the Robert Burns, Mary, Queen of Scots and Liz Lochhead works, as they reflect on how archive, memory and imagination continue to shape the story of Mary, Queen of Scots.

On Thursday 26 March, there will also be the opportunity to hear from Hannah Lavery, poet, playwright, and former Edinburgh Makar and Eddie McGurn from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in a session chaired by actor, writer, and performer Kenny Boyle, as the three reflect on Liz Lochhead’s enduring influence on Scottish writing and identity and how her work continues to challenge and inspire audiences today.

Both the AK Bell Library and Perth Museum displays open on Friday 23 January for 3 months only and will be free for all to view.  Full details are available here.