Centre stage for Perth and Kinross in 2017
A festival celebrating the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the 450th anniversary of her imprisonment at Loch Leven Castle, will put Perth and Kinross centre stage in a unique line-up of events set to make history in 2017.
The Mary Queen of Scots Festival 2017 is one of nine events supported by a £300,000 Signature Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology Events Fund, with more to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Planned for September next year, the festival will celebrate the rich history and heritage of the Kinross area and its connection to Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots.
The event will commemorate Mary’s life, marking the 450th anniversary of her imprisonment in the castle on Loch Leven, where she ended her reign in 1567.
And, elsewhere in Perth and Kinross, there will be a chance to celebrate a number of significant anniversaries throughout the historical year including the 20th anniversary of Scottish Crannog Centre at Loch Tay.
Scotland-wide there is also the 400th anniversary of the General Register of Sasines – the oldest public land register in the world.
With more than a third of visitors drawn to Scotland for its history and culture, VisitScotland says it is seizing the opportunity to relive Scotland’s fascinating past through a range of events and activities.
Jim Clarkson, regional director at VisitScotland, said: “Scotland is the land where great legends were made throughout history, and so it is only apt that Mary Queen of Scots should been included in a unique line-up of events and activities for the 2017 Year of History Heritage and Archaeology.
“Mary Queen of Scots is a fascinating historical icon whose reputation stretches far beyond our borders and we look forward to welcoming visitors and locals alike.”
A previous Mary Queen of Scots event