“I am to be executed like a criminal at eight in the morning”.

The Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots

From Friday 23 January – Sunday 26 April 2026

Opening on 23 January 2026 the last letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots will go on display at Perth Museum, leaving the National Library of Scotland’s secure storage facilities for the first time in a generation. Written in the early hours of 8 February 1587 just before her execution at Fotheringhay Castle, this precious piece of history will be on display at Perth Museum until 26 April 2026, the longest time it has been on display for more than 20 years, and the first time the letter has been displayed north of Edinburgh in modern history. The letter will be free for all to view.

Price & Tickets

Admission is free, however donations are welcome, with a suggested donation of £5.

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Dates & Times

From Friday 23 January 2026 – Sunday 26 April 2026

Neil Hanna Photographywww.neilhannaphotography.co.uk07702 246823

Mary Queen of Scots' Last Letter

“I have finally been condemned to death by her and her Estates”

As part of the National Library of Scotland’s Outwith programme for its centenary year, the Last Letter of Mary, Queen of Scots is heading to Perth Museum – but that’s not all. Just a short walk away at Perth’s AK Bell Library, visitors will also be able to explore Mary’s legacy with a linked display of other National Library of Scotland treasures from Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead, both Scottish legends in their own right who were inspired by Mary’s story across the centuries. Visitors will get a unique opportunity to view original material from Burns’ poem from 1791 Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring, and Liz Lochhead’s legendary 1987 play Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off.

Mary spent considerable time in Perth and Kinross, and both her and her family have many links to this region. During her reign, she spent time at Huntingtower Castle and Edzell Castle. Most famously, she was held prisoner in Lochleven Castle for 11 months in 1567-8, where she finally signed her abdication from the throne before making a daring escape under cover of darkness. From there she made her way to exile in England, and would never see her homeland again. Perth is a fitting location to explore her last letter and legacy.

As part of this exhibition we are also collaborating with the National Library of Scotland on a series of events, and activities. More information on the display and a programme of events will be available later this year. Sign up to our mailing list to find out more.