The World of King James VI and I exhibtion opening at the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh
This special, one-off exhibition will chart the remarkable reign of King James VI and I, marking the 400-year anniversary of his death. Explore over 140 rare objects, many displayed together for the first time.
Clara Weale has created a New scent that whiffs of a ‘misunderstood’ Scottish king launches new exhibition of monarch, the scent has been name 'Prescence'
Members of the public can get a chance to smell the scent at this new exhibtion from 26 April until 14 September 2025, uncover more about this often-misunderstood monarch through ornate paintings, dazzling jewels, lavish textiles, and rare book and manuscripts, alongside some of the most iconic historical
portraits from Scotland’s national collection.
This will be the first time in 50 years
that an exhibition dedicated to King James VI and I will be held in Edinburgh
and it will be the only opportunity to see The
World of King James VI and I
anywhere in the world. The exhibition will also feature several important loans from a range of galleries and private collections from across the UK, including National Museums Scotland, The Royal Collection Trust, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Fashion
Museum Bath. This will include a variety of books, prints, clothing, jewellery, and objects, creating an immersive journey through King James’s world.
Discover tales of friendship, family, feuds and ambition
and dive deeper into the life of King James through key moments in his reign including his early childhood, the infamous Scottish witch trials, the Union of the Crowns, the treasonous Gunpowder
Plot and early colonial ventures overseas. This exhibition will not only bring King James’s story to life, but it will transport visitors into the world in which he lived
and ruled, celebrating craft, visual arts, literature and performance from the 16th and 17th centuries.
The World of King
James VI and I will offer new perspectives
on the King’s life by drawing on themes of contemporary relevance including national identity, queer histories and spirituality and belief. Meet some of the most famous faces of the period through key artworks from Scotland’s national collection. Uncover more
about his family ties and his closest confidants, and see striking portraits of Mary, Queen of Scots, his wife and Queen Consort, Anna of Denmark, and his father, Henry, Lord Darnley. Accompany James as he grows from an orphaned boy king to
established ruler of nations through a range of portraits and objects which document his life, loves and achievements.
