Crown of Scotland, Honours of Scotland

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Made of gold, silver and precious gems, the Crown of Scotland is the centrepiece of the Honours of Scotland, on display at Edinburgh Castle.

James V first wore the refashioned crown at the coronation of Mary of Guise in 1540. Mary Queen of Scots was the first to be crowned using the new crown and sceptre together, in 1543. It has since been used at many of the major royal ceremonial events over the past five centuries.

But the Honours of Scotland have also had a turbulent time. They were removed from Edinburgh Castle in 1650 to keep them from Oliver Cromwell’s army. Only with the restoration of King Charles II to the throne in 1660 could they be returned. In 1707, following the Act of Union between England and Scotland, they were locked in a chest and sealed away. It was only in 1818 that Sir Walter Scott, the famous novelist, rediscovered the Honours.

The Crown of Scotland is on loan from the Commissioners for the Keeping of the Regalia.

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