Scotland's oldest book goes on public display for first time

Published on Thursday 10 December 2009 13:04

SCOTLAND'S oldest book, which dates to the 11th century, is go on public display for the first time, it was announced today.

The pocket-size book of Psalms has been described as Scotland's version of the celebrated Book of Kells in Dublin.

It has illuminations in vivid green, red, purple and gold and the script is still bold and clear, with the text of the Psalms in Latin.

The book was probably commissioned for a figure of some importance, such as St Margaret, Queen of Scotland, and it is thought likely the work was produced at the monastery of Iona.

The University of Edinburgh has held the book in its collection since the early 17th century but has never put it on public display.

The book is one of a host of treasures included in the Masterpieces 1 exhibition which opens tomorrow in the university's main library.

Among the other attractions is the only copy in Scotland of the first book printed in any of the Gaelic languages: John Knox's Book of Common Order, printed in Scottish Gaelic in Edinburgh in 1567.

Also included is the finest surviving copy of Scotland's first substantial printed book, the Aberdeen Breviary, commissioned by Bishop William Elphinstone of Aberdeen to give Scotland a distinctive liturgy and printed in 1509-10.

A copy of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, published during Shakespeare's lifetime and presented to the university by poet William Drummond in 1626, will be on display.

An illuminated manuscript of the works of the Roman poet Virgil, written in Paris in the first half of the 15th century, also features in the exhibition.

Visitors can also see a commentary on the classic Chinese text Yi Jing (Book of Changes) written by scholar Hu Guang between 1412 and 1413 and printed in 1440 using block printing – several years before the introduction in Europe of moveable metal type.

The exhibition runs from December 11 to March 14 2010.