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Mary

Queen of Scots

Fri 28 June – Sun 17 November
Mary, Queen of Scots. Image © Blairs Museum Trust.

© Blairs Museum Trust

Discover the dramatic story of Mary, Queen of Scots, only at National Museum of Scotland.

Created specially for the Museum, the exhibition will draw on our Scottish collections, supported by international loans, illuminating Mary's turbulent life in a fresh, new light.

Book your tickets now! Or call 0300 123 6789

Open daily 10:00–17:00

Exhibition gallery 1, Level 3

How to get to the Museum

Adult
£9
Concession*
£7.50
Child (12-15)
£6 (under 12s free)

National Art Pass holders receive 50% discount.

* 60+, students and unemployed with ID, disabled people. Carers of disabled people free.

Members go free!


  • Cast of the tomb of Mary Queen of Scots

    Cast of the tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots, on loan from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. The original is in Westminster Abbey, London.

  • Penicuik jewels

    This gold necklace, locket and pendant date from the late 16th century. Known as the 'Penicuik Jewels', they were preserved by the Clerks of Penicuik as relics of Mary.

  • Gold locket

    Gold locket, part of the Penicuik jewels, preserved by the Clerks of Penicuik as relics of Mary.

  • Heart-shaped locket with a cameo portrait of Mary

    This late 16th century, heart-shaped locket contains a cameo portrait of Mary.

  • Silver coin minted for Mary's marriage to Henry, Lord Darnley

    Silver one-third ryal minted at Edinburgh in 1565, during Mary's ill-fated marriage to Henry, Lord Darnley.

About the exhibition

Mary, Queen of Scots is arguably one of the most enigmatic figures in Scottish history. Her story arouses strong emotions: was she betrayed by those she trusted, condemned to die a Catholic martyr or was she a murdering adulteress with her husband’s blood on her hands?

The exhibition will provide an opportunity to re-visit much that has been written and speculated about Mary, one of the most charismatic monarchs of all time. Taking a fresh, innovative approach, using jewels, textiles, furniture, documents and portraits, Mary’s dramatic story and this fascinating period in Scottish history will be explored in detail.

Drawing together surviving relics intimately connected with Mary Stewart and wider Renaissance material from public and private collections, the exhibition will tell the incredible story of the sovereign and the woman.

You can see the programme of events to accompany the exhibition here.

Mary, Queen of Scots is sponsored by

Baillie Gifford


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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130