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Mary Queen of Scots
17/11/2008
First Minister Alex Salmond today presented Blairs Museum in Aberdeen with a copy of Mary Queen of Scots death warrant.
Th occasion was brought about through direct liaison between the FM and Cardinal O'Brien, as well as the Archbishop of Canterbury. The death warrant copy will be the only one of its kind made available, while Lambeth Palace in London currently has ownership of the original document.
The warrant will be housed in the museum alongside the famous Memorial Portrait of Mary Queen of Scots.
The acquisition comes as plans are being developed to restore Blairs College and transform it into a hotel, leisure and conference centre, helping to secure the future of the museum and its artefacts.
The development represents a ten-year, £115 million capital investment and could create nearly 1,000 new jobs, supporting Aberdeen's status as the second fastest-growing hotel market in the UK.
Cardinal Keith O'Brien and Provost of Aberdeenshire Bill Howatson joined the FM for the unveiling ceremony.
Mr Salmond said:
"I am delighted to present Blairs Museum with another part of Mary Queen of Scots' story. Linlithgow Palace, in my West Lothian hometown, is where her story began. Now this testament to her story's ending will add to the tangible appreciation of Scotland's heritage. This copy of her death warrant will help bring the past to life.
"With the Year of Homecoming fast approaching, this chilling document will be a great addition to the cultural treasure-chest on offer and help historians and homecomers alike to reconnect with Scotland's history and romance.
"The connections between Scotland's friends and family, past and future can also be revisited across the country with a packed programme of events including one of the largest clan gatherings in history, the Open's return to Turnberry, an expanded Edinburgh International Festival and an international genealogy festival.
"The Year of Homecoming is going to be the biggest celebration of Scottish identity ever and it's great to see our national archives growing, while we continue to make history."
Blairs Museum is housed within Blairs College, a training school for young students considering a calling to the priesthood that closed in 1986 and is now owned by Muir Group.