The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Oldest accurate map of Scotland sells for £70,000
AUCTION: 16th Century document was drawn up during King James V’s voyage
A 16th Century map believed to be the oldest accurate chart of Scotland fetched nearly £70,000 yesterday – more than three times its estimate – at an auction in Edinburgh.
The historical document, known as the Nicolay Rutter, was drawn up from a voyage taken by King James V around Scotland in 1540.
Described as “considerably more accurate” in its delineation of Scotland than later 17th Century maps, it also features depictions of ships and even a sea monster.
The map, printed in Paris in 1583 by cartographer Nicolay D’arfeville, attracted interest from around the world to auctioneer Lyon and Turnbull’s sale of rare books, maps and manuscripts.
It was sold to an anonymous collector for £68,750 after a bidding battle saw the price sail past the £15,000-20,000 valuation.
Simon Vickers, Lyon and Turnbull book specialist, said: “Nicolay’s map marks a huge step forward in the accuracy of cartography. Not only is the shape of Scotland instantly recognisable, it is much more accurate than the later Gordon Blaeu map of 1654 and the Moll map of 1714.”
James V and several nobles set out on their voyage in 1540 to subdue the unruly Lords of the Western Isles.
The king set out from Leith and visited Orkney, Skye, Lewis, Ross and Kintail, continuing by sea to Dumbarton, where he left his fleet and rode back to Edinburgh.
Alexander Lyndsay was the pilot and created the guide from his own experience and material gathered from other sources.
It gave the route the fleet followed, including a suitable course through the Western Isles for meeting the chiefs.
It also contained information and advice about tidal conditions, havens, soundings and the risk of hidden rocks and other hazards.
The map was obtained by the English around 1542 and a copy fell into the hands of the French cartographer Nicolay, who later printed the map, crediting Lyndsay for his original work.