The last letter of Mary Queen of Scots before her execution will be shown to the public.

Mary, Queen of Scots' letter written before her execution will be exhibited in Perth. It was addressed to her brother-in-law, King Henri III of France, and included instructions for her staff.

January 31st 2025.

The last letter of Mary Queen of Scots before her execution will be shown to the public.
As the clock ticked closer to her execution in 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots took a moment to pen a letter to her brother-in-law, Henri III of France. The letter, written at Fortheringhay Castle, included instructions for the care of her staff after her inevitable fate. For over a century, this letter has been in the possession of the Scottish nation, but come 2026, it will finally leave the National Library of Scotland for the first time in a generation to be displayed at the new Perth Museum.

The last time this letter was put on display in 2017, there were long lines forming outside of the National Library's building in Edinburgh. This time around, the letter will be a part of the Library's centenary celebrations, with Perth Museum being chosen as a key partner. "We are thrilled to be entrusted with the opportunity to showcase Mary Queen of Scots' last letter at Perth Museum in 2026," said Helen Smout, Chief Executive of Culture Perth and Kinross. "It is a great honor to be able to display this precious document alongside other iconic exhibits, such as the Stone of Destiny."

Perth and Kinross holds a special place in Scotland's history, and it is no different for Mary Queen of Scots. She had significant ties to the area, including her abdication and imprisonment at Loch Leven Castle for 11 months. "This will be the first time in modern history that the letter will be seen north of Edinburgh, and it will also be the longest period it will be on public display in over 20 years," added Smout.

In her last letter, Mary wrote, "Tonight, after dinner, I have been informed of my sentence: I am to be executed at eight in the morning, like a criminal. I did not have enough time to share with you everything that has occurred, but if you listen to my doctor and my other unfortunate servants, you will learn the truth. I thank God that I am able to face death with courage and declare my innocence, even though I am their subject."

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