500-year-old Scottish History Manuscript Displayed at Wardlaw Museum

After 34 years of being held in a private collection in Norway, the St Andrews Chronicles was secured by the University of St Andrews late last year, and for the first time in its history, is on display to the public. Between 21 November and 7 December, 2025, the manuscript will be on display at the University’s Wardlaw Museum. 

The manuscript was acquired at an auction by the University with generous support from Dr William Zachs and the Friends of the Nation’s Libraries, after being sold by notable Norwegian collector Martin Schoyen, who bought it in 1990. It was originally held at Balcarres in the East Neuk of Fife near St Andrews in the sixteenth century — its return to which was facilitated by the University. 

The St Andrews Chronicles is a largely handwritten copy of John Mair’s History of Greater Britain which is considered to be one of the most influential and innovative histories of Scotland and England of the sixteenth century. In addition, it also contains an earlier hand-copied pamphlet, chronicling Scotland’s earlier history, including new information about William Wallace, the nation’s time under Guardianship, and even the Stone of Destiny. The book is bound in stamped leather over wooden boards and originally would have been fastened with a clasp. The stamps feature an unidentified beast and a hound chasing a hare. The text inside is neatly handwritten Latin script, with capitals and decorations added in red. 

The book is the size of an iPad and joins the University’s archive and collection of rare books. Constructed over 600 years, the collection contains over 200,000 rare books and many medieval and early modern manuscripts and supports teaching and research at the University and beyond. 

Elizabeth Henderson, Rare Books Librarian at the University, said, “It’s really important that a manuscript like this is held in a public institution like in St Andrews, where it can be cared for in perpetuity and also where it can be made accessible for research. It’s a Scottish manuscript about the history and origins of Scotland. It’s been through a succession of Scottish owners since the sixteenth century, so there’s a real resonance having it back in a Scottish institution.” 

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, herself an early Scots literature scholar, said that “the St Andrews Chronicles manuscript is a fascinating collection. It offers important insights into key events in early Scottish history, as well as a set of perspectives that remain resonant today, particularly around the debate over union or independence. It is a privilege both to host it and to share it.” 

Sean Rippington, Head of Archives and Rare Books at the University of St Andrews, speaking about the manuscripts digitisation, said: “The digital version opens it up to new forms of investigation and research. We wanted to give democratic access for people to see and connect with it. It’s for being read and researched, not being observed from afar. The manuscript has been in private ownership for its entire existence, meaning relatively few people have seen it, so we are keen to make it available to a wider population in as far as possible.” 

A special event featuring Dame Mapstone, in conversation with Professor Dauvit Broun of the University of Glasgow and Rare Books Librarian in the University Collections and Museums Elizabeth Henderson, will explore the St Andrews Chronicles and its journey back to Fife and the significant role it plays in understanding Scottish identity, legacy, and nationhood. The event is part of the From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity programme, accompanying the exhibition on view at the Wardlaw museum, which runs until February 2026.

Photo by Ada Newton