This weekend, between rain storms and participants in the World Naked Bike Ride cycling past, Girdy and Birdy stepped inside and off the weathered streets for a bit of cultural history.
The National Library of Scotland’s Renaissance: Scotland and Europe 1480 to 1630 opened on the 21st of June and will run to April 2025. This exhibition was why I finally went inside the impressive building on George IV Bridge to look around.
It’s free.
I’m glad we made the time to explore, but words like ‘breathtaking’, ‘stunning’, and ‘fascinating’ simply don’t apply to a general visitor. If you’re enthralled by antiquarian books, then it’s a different story.
However, as someone interested in Scotland’s written history, the Renaissance: Scotland and Europe 1480 to 1630 exhibition is interesting. In some ways, the exhibition is a bit like a book. You have to make a little effort to get something out of it. If you tour this collection of books as you might, say, an exhibition of things in a museum, then for the most part, you’ll see books behind glass.
On the other hand, if you stop studying, these historic treasures begin to share secrets with you.
For example, there’s the The ‘Carver Choirbook’, which is a manuscript detailing the music sung during Mass in the Royal Chapel. Robert Carver has a Britannica entry, and we think he was born in 1490, know he entered Scone Abbey in Perthshire in the first half of the 16th Century and we know very little else of the talent.
Another example is the Armorial Register of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, Lyon King of Arms from 1542. Back then, it was not just Nobles at Court but also Poets and refugees who would discuss with diplomats and officials ways for Scotland to connect with Europe.
I also tried on silly hats. Historic hats, I mean. Historic hats that look silly.
Visiting The National Library of Scotland
I won’t shy away from admitting that one of the reasons I suggested to Birdy that we detour and visit the National Library of Scotland was just to visit the National Library of Scotland. I’d never been in the impressive building!
See, it wasn’t just the rain.
For years, the National Library of Scotland seemed like an imposing building. I have the idea that you do not simply go in to request a book. This is a special library; you schedule an appointment and arrange.
I might be wrong, but I was right that going to see Renaissance: Scotland and Europe 1480 to 1630 was easy. The exhibition is right by the front door, next to another about Scotland’s national treasures and right by a cafe! There’s a visitor centre and a shop.
Why hadn’t I been in before?
Things to do in the city centre
Hey, if you’re here for history, then the Edinburgh Dungeons aren’t far from the Bridge and might well be revenge against anyone moaning about the library.
There’s no shortage of places to eat either with favourites like Tasty Buns a walk through the market, some of the best ice cream in Edinburgh, the St James. Centre with highlights like Duck & Waffle just a Princess Street away and Mum’s Great Comfort Food down the road.
Happily, Waverley Station and Edinburgh Castle are just a stone-throw away.
Overall
As noted, I’m not going to use words like ‘breathtaking’ to describe this free exhibition. It’s more muted than that. It’s a library after all.
Renaissance: Scotland and Europe 1480 to 1630 is absolutely worth seeing, especially as it’s free, especially if you’re passing and definitely if you’re a history geek.
There’s enough to do here: touch and walk around and entertain youngsters for a little while.
A review of NLS’ Renaissance – Scotland and Europe 1480 to 1630
Summary
The Renaissance—Scotland and Europe 1480 to 1630 is a free, small, and well-formed exhibition in the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge. It’s tactile, offering dress-up and embroidery, but the primary audience must surely be historians, geeks, and academics.
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