Glasgow 850: The 'Blackadder Prayerbook' at Glasgow Cathedral

For one day only, the 'Blackadder Prayerbook', considered 'Glasgow's Book of Kells' returns home to Glasgow Cathedral.

This prayerbook was made for Glasgow's first archbishop, Robert Blackadder, in the late 1400s. It was taken to St Andrews after his death and joined the National Library of Scotland's collection in 1974. It has not returned to Glasgow since.

On Monday 29 September the manuscript will be on display to visitors to the Cathedral as part of Glasgow's 850th birthday celebrations and the National Library's centenary programme.

Religious manuscripts like the Prayerbook were usually created at considerable expense. They show a more colourful side of medieval manuscripts but the meaning they had for their owners was nevertheless deeply serious.

The Reformation in Scotland resulted in the loss or destruction of most religious documents. It's estimated that no more than 1% of all medieval liturgical manuscripts once in use in Scotland still exist today, many of them only as fragments.

The Blackadder Prayerbook has a special significance to the city of Glasgow as it contains references to the Scottish saints, including the city's founder and patron saint, Saint Mungo.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Prayerbook back where it was first used over 500 years ago.

This event is in partnership with Mediaeval Glasgow Trust, Historic Environment Scotland and the Friends of Glasgow Cathedral, and is supported by the William Grant Foundation.