Learn the story of rare book

A rare and ancient lockit book is to be displayed in Perth.

Dating back to the 1400s, the book lists members of the city’s trade associations and bears royal signatures from King James VI up to the present Queen.

A memento of Perth’s ancient traders, it will be shared at an exclusive talk on August 7 at Perth Museum and Art gallery.

the ancient book made headlines five years ago after it was shared on an episode of BBC tV’s Antiques roadshow at scone Palace.

An expert valued the book at £100,000.

At the museum talk, Lord Dean Neil Dewar and Perth guild’s secretary Carla Murray will share the lockit book and use it to provide a snapshot of medieval life in Perth.

the book is so-called because it was once locked to prevent anyone falsely entering their names in the book, thus falsely trading without a proper license.

the talk, put on by the guildry Incorporation of Perth, is part of a free summer exhibition, By Hammer and Hand, celebrating Perth’s merchants and craftspeople.

rhona rodger, senior officer, collection management with Culture Perth and Kinross, which runs the region’s museums and galleries, said: “the lockit book is the earliest surviving record of guilds in Perth and gives a unique insight into the city’s medieval era.

“that’s why we know that this free talk will be fascinating for visitors of all ages.”