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.

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 Mary’s legacy beyond her last letter, with a rare pop-up display of Burns’ poem Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots on the Approach of Spring and early manuscripts from Lochhead’s iconic play Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off, both on loan from National Library of Scotland.

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 are detailed below.