OUTWITH – National Library around Scotland
To mark the Library's centenary, cultural partners in Aberdeen, Perth and Shetland have selected treasures to borrow from our national collections that resonate locally. People will be able to get up close to fascinating objects, explore their stories and find out more through programmes and events.
Aberdeen 13 September 2025 to 4 January 2026
'OUTWITH: National Library around Scotland' begins in Aberdeen Art Gallery with the loan of an early edition of Scottish secular music, 'Songs and Fancies', published by John Forbes in Aberdeen in 1682. This display will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Art Gallery’s concert venue, the Cowdray Hall, and there is a special programme of events to celebrate the partnership.
Find out more about these events, which include talks, discussions and live music, on the Aberdeen Art Gallery website.
We are also partnering with Aberdeen Central Library for National Library Live on Saturday 8 November.
With free taster talks, family story sessions and a range of drop-in games and activities for all ages, everyone is welcome to discover more about the National Library of Scotland, who we are and what we do.
Learn more about National Library Live
Perth 23 January to 26 April 2026
In January 2026, Mary Queen of Scots' last letter, written the night before her execution in February 1587, will leave the National Library for the first time in a generation. It will go on display for three months in the heart of Perth Museum, above the Stone of Destiny.
We are collaborating with Culture Perth and Kinross on a series of complementary events and activities. Mary-related material by Robert Burns and Liz Lochhead will be displayed at AK Bell Library, which will also be the next stop for National Library Live in March 2026.
Shetland 28 March to 20 June 2026
Shetland Museum and Archives will showcase Library collections in a landmark exhibition exploring the lives of Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid and his wife Valda during their time in Whalsay, Shetland, and we’ll be taking National Library Live to Shetland Library and beyond.
Centenary appeal
Find out about how we're celebrating our history and how we can ensure the National Library of Scotland continues to thrive for the next 100 years.
