December 2009 | Nate Pedersen

Oldest Scottish Book on Display for First Time

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For the first time in 1,000 years, the oldest known Scottish book was placed on public display today.  The medieval Psalter, complete with vivid Celtic and Pictish illustrations, is thought to have been produced on the island of Iona in the 11th century.  The book is handwritten in Latin and the illustrations depict a variety of mythological beasts.

The book is owned by the University of Edinburgh, who have been reluctant to display it until a special display case was produced for it.  Joseph Marshall, the University's Special Collections Librarian, referred to the book as a "riot of colour.  You would think someone had gone over it with a felt-tip pen."

The book will be on display in the exhibition room of the Main Library at the University of Edinburgh for the next three months.

You can read a longer article about the book, from the Telegraph, here.

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