The letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots, before her execution in 1587 will be publicly displayed at Perth Museum for the first time in nearly a decade.

An emotional letter written by Mary, Queen of Scots, just a few hours before her execution in 1587, will be publicly displayed for the first time in nearly a decade at Perth Museum. The fragile document, held by the National Library of Scotland, was written at 2 a.m. on February 8, 1587, addressed to her brother-in-law, Henry III of France, and was drafted to settle her affairs before her execution. The last public display took place in 2017, attracting many visitors in Edinburgh.

The exhibit will be part of an exhibition that will illustrate the captivating story of the queen, and Alison Stevenson, director of collections at the National Library, emphasized the importance of this rare opportunity. The exhibition will also include works by Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead, inspired by Mary's life. The Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson, highlighted the historical value of the letter, encouraging the public to take advantage of this unique occasion. The letter will be displayed at Perth Museum from January 23 to April 26, 2026, and the exhibition "The Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots" will take place at AK Bell Library during the same period.