An elaborate gold locket with pearls around one of its edges. It is open to reveal a portrait of a woman and of a boy.
Scottish History & Archaeology

Renaissance and Early Modern History

Our Renaissance and Early Modern collections contain objects relating to Scottish history from c.1450-1750.

This period encompasses the cultural developments of the Scottish Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the seismic events of the Union of the Crowns, the Covenanting Revolution, the Anglo-Scottish Union of 1707 and the Jacobite Rebellions of 1715 and 1745.

Collections include decorative arts, jewellery, metalwork, furniture and weaponry, and objects relating to monarchical power, religion, trade and everyday life. Many of our objects were made in Scotland, but others were not, material evidence of the connections between Scotland, Europe and further afield.

Most notable are iconic pieces related to Mary, Queen of Scots, the Stewart kings, the Darien Venture, and the Jacobites. Star items include the Penicuik Jewels associated with Mary, a sword, targe and travelling canteen belonging to Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the awe-inspiring execution device, the Maiden, and the Company of Scotland’s large iron-bound chest related to the Darien Venture, the financially disastrous colonial scheme.

Meet the team

Renaissance and Early Modern History stories

  1. A detail of a woman wearing a white ruffled collar and a white lace headpiece and veil.

    Life and deathline of Mary, Queen of Scots

    History and cultures, Scotland

    Crowned Queen of Scots at just nine months old; married, crowned Queen Consort of France and widowed all by the time she was 18 years old: Mary Stewart's life was nothing if not eventful. Let's dig into the facts about her tumultuous life…
    Long read
  2. A painting of a man in decorative military dress on a brown horse.

    Portrait of the Duke of Cumberland at Culloden

    History and cultures, Scotland

    A portrait celebrating the victory of Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, commander of the British government forces at Culloden.
    Short read
  3. A half length portrait of a man turned sideways, left elbow resting against a pillar. He is wearing a long curly white wig, brown coat and blue drape, draped over the right shoulder.

    A tartan suit owned by an English Jacobite

    Fashion and textiles, History and cultures, Scotland

    Not all supporters of the Jacobite cause were Scottish. Find out more about a magnificent tartan suit that belonged to Sir John Hynde Cotton - known to some as ‘one of the most zealous Jacobites in England’.
    Film