Full Breakdown
Mary Queen of Scots' Last Letter to be Displayed in Perth Museum
12/11/2025, 10:11:49 PM
Historic Exhibition of a Rare Manuscript
The final letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots, just hours before her execution, will be on public display at Perth Museum from January 23 to April 26, 2026. This poignant document, penned in French at 2 a.m. on February 8, 1587, is a significant artifact that offers insight into the last moments of a monarch who faced execution for treason against Queen Elizabeth I. Mary wrote the letter to her brother-in-law, King Henri III of France, expressing her impending fate and making arrangements for her family and servants.
Mary's letter is a four-page manuscript that reveals her emotional state and concerns as she faced death. In it, she states, “I am to be executed like a criminal at eight in the morning,” and pleads for her servants' wages to be paid after her death. This letter not only reflects her personal fears but also highlights the political turmoil of the time, as she was executed for her involvement in the Babington Plot against Elizabeth I.
Significance of the Display
This exhibition is part of the National Library of Scotland’s centenary celebrations and is described as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to view the letter, which has rarely been displayed outside of secure storage. The last public showing occurred in 2017 for a single day, drawing significant crowds. The letter will be the centerpiece of an immersive exhibition that aims to bring Mary's story and her connections to Perthshire to life.
Alison Stevenson, Director of Collections, Access and Research at the National Library of Scotland, emphasized the importance of this display, stating, “We are delighted to partner with Culture Perth and Kinross to bring the letter to Perth Museum.” The exhibition will also include related artifacts, such as Robert Burns’s poem "Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots" and manuscripts from Liz Lochhead’s play "Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off."
Conservation Efforts
Due to its age and fragility, the letter is kept in a specially designed mount to protect it from damage, particularly from light exposure. Shona Hunter, a conservator at the National Library, noted the need to balance public access with preservation, stating, “We want to reduce the amount of light that will fall onto the object.”
Broader Context and Impact
Mary's execution was not merely a judicial act but a culmination of decades of religious conflict and political rivalry in Europe. Her letter serves as a testament to her devout Catholic faith and her sense of duty, even in her final hours. It encapsulates the struggles between personal belief and political power during a turbulent era.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Tonight, after dinner, I have been advised on my sentence: I am to be executed like a criminal at eight in the morning.” — Mary, Queen of Scots
- “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.” — Alison Stevenson, Director of Collections, Access and Research, National Library of Scotland
- “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,” — Ashleigh Hibbins, Head of Audiences and Learning, Culture Perth and Kinross
The exhibition at Perth Museum promises to be a significant cultural event, allowing visitors to engage with a critical piece of Scottish history and the enduring legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots.
