Rare chance to see Mary Queen of Scots' last letter, penned hours before her execution

A letter written by Mary Queen of Scots just hours before her execution is to go on display for the first time in nearly a decade.

Mary penned what is believed to be her last letter at 2am on Wednesday 8 February 1587, when she wrote to her brother-in-law Henri III of France to put her affairs in order. Her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire was to take place just six hours later.

The letter, which is written in French, is held by the National Library of Scotland and rarely leaves its vaults, primarily for conservation reasons. But the public are set to get a rare chance to view the famous manuscript close up when it goes on display at Perth Museum next year, as part of an exhibition and programme of events aimed to bring 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 last letter." It last went on display for a single day at the National Library in 2017, when crowds lined up along George IV Bridge in Edinburgh for the chance see it. Alongside the exhibition at Perth Museum, other items from the National Library's collections will go on display in the nearby AK Bell Library.

This companion exhibition, 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; and early manuscripts from Liz Lochhead's play Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off. Ashleigh Hibbins, head of audiences and learning at Culture Perth and Kinross, described the exhibition as a "homecoming" for the letter given Mary's links with the region "We are so proud to welcome Mary, Queen of Scots' last letter to Perth Museum, the first time this precious piece of history has travelled north of Edinburgh in the modern era," she said.

"Perth and Kinross is at the heart of Mary's story, particularly her imprisonment, abdication, and dramatic escape from Lochleven Castle. "Mary's poignant last words will be displayed within a wider immersive exhibition, directly above the Stone of Destiny and objects from the reigns of her son and grandson, so we really do view this as a homecoming." Read more from Sky News:Scotland's last shoemaking shop 'frozen in time' to be restored'Fascinating' personal library of 'forgotten scholar' rediscovered Scotland's Culture Secretary Angus Robertson described the letter as a "priceless record from somebody who lived over 400 years ago".

"We owe an immense debt of gratitude to all those who have preserved it from her hand to the care of our national library," he said. "Scotland's history belongs to all of us, so I am delighted that it is going on display in Perth as part of the library's centenary celebrations.

"Due to its age this letter is rarely on display, so I would strongly encourage people across Scotland and beyond to make the most of this opportunity, before it goes back into storage for safekeeping." The item is being loaned by the National Library as part of its Outwith: National Library around Scotland programme to mark the library's centenary. The letter will go on display at Perth Museum from 23 January until 26 April 2026.

The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots display will be held at AK Bell Library from January 23 until 25 April 25. Access to both exhibitions will be free..