Scotland’s oldest book goes on display for first time

Scotland's oldest book, a medieval Celtic psalter with vivid illustrations in green, red, purple and gold, will be put on public display today for the first time in 1,000 years.

The pocket-sized book of psalms dates from the 11th century and has been described as Scotland's version of the celebrated Book of Kells in Dublin.

It contains hand-written psalms in Latin, with Celtic and Pictish illustrations of dragons and other “beasts” and has previously only been available to scholars.

It is thought to have been produced at the monastery on the island of Iona and although the original binding has been lost, the script is clear and the text can still be read today.

The psalter will go on display in the main library at the University of Edinburgh for the next three months, with other items including an edition of Romeo and Juliet that was published during Shakespeare's lifetime.

Jospeh Marshall, the university's rare book librarian, said people had been reluctant to show the book in the past, but its special display case allowed it to have its "first public outing in 1,000 years".

He added: "It is a riot of colour. You would think someone had gone over it with a felt-tip pen."

It is thought to have been commissioned for a figure of great importance, possibly St Margaret, Queen of Scotland.

It will part of a new display in the library's refurbished exhibition room.