FASCINATING treasures from Scotland’s past are to go on display in Edinburgh this week, opening a window on the country’s history, culture and people.
Presented in English, Gaelic and Scots, the exhibition is designed to provide a unique insight into Scotland’s place in the world.
Opening at the National Library of Scotland on Friday, it features riches from the library’s own collections, including Timothy Pont’s ground-breaking maps which became the primary source material for Scotland’s first atlas, produced by Joan Blaeu at Amsterdam in 1654.
Entry is free and the exhibits are interspersed with interactive displays, archival film footage and specially commissioned new writing and film.
The exhibition will show how the written word in Scotland played a vital role in the spread of ideas.
Visitors will be able to see the highly decorated Iona Psalter, dating from between 1180 and 1220, Gaelic medical manuscripts about pharmacy and remedies written in the 15th century and The Lyon in Mourning – an account of the Jacobite rising compiled by the Reverend Robert Forbes who risked everything to record eyewitness accounts, capturing testimonies while they were fresh and putting them together in the utmost secrecy.
From more recent times there is material which represents the 1997 Scottish devolution referendum, the first Scottish Parliament election, and the journey to the opening of the Parliament in 1999.
The innovation of the printing press transformed text production, enabling the rapid distribution of knowledge and ideas and, until July, a complete Gutenberg Bible will be displayed – one of only 20 left in the world – followed by a copy of the Aberdeen Breviary which was printed in Edinburgh in 1510 by Walter Chapman on Scotland’s first press.
There are also stunning examples of Scottish bookbinding styles, such as herringbone binding dating from the late 1670s and wheel binding, in use by the mid-1720s.
The library’s collections are enriched with travellers’ tales and on view will be the papers of Scottish solo explorer, botanist, artist and writer Isobel Wylie Hutchison (below).
There’s a letter containing Ae Fond Kiss, one of Robert Burns’ most well-known love songs, and a letter from Ludwig van Beethoven to Fife born music collector George Thomson. Beethoven and Thomson corresponded with each other from 1803 – resulting in the unique sound of a Scottish song with a classical Viennese accompaniment.
In addition, the National Library and Neu! Reekie! have commissioned artists to respond to collection items which will be displayed in the Treasures exhibition. Each has created a new work of poetry, prose, song or film in response to their collection item. This will be displayed on the AV interactive gallery within the Treasures exhibition, as well as on The National Library’s website and social media.
“As guardian of the nation’s published and recorded memory, we have an unparalleled collection of materials,” said Amina Shah, chief executive and national librarian.
“The Treasures exhibition gives people a glimpse into the vast collections – many of which are typically stored among the multiple floor levels beneath their very feet. We’re excited about launching this much-anticipated exhibition, which will provide visitors with unique insights into Scotland’s story, and its place in the world.”
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