Historic notes written 150 years apart return to Edinburgh Castle’s Crown Room
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Two notes written almost 150 years apart and hidden during renovations at Edinburgh Castle have been returned to their hiding place
Notes discovered during refurbishment work at Edinburgh Castle have been returned to their hiding place in the Crown Room, where they were first found almost 150 years apart.
The first of the notes was initially discovered during major work on the previous Honours exhibition in 1992, hidden behind the room’s historic oak panelling, and was dated 1848. The piece of sandpaper records the names of workers from Edinburgh firm Charles Trotter Esq, who completed the room’s wooden panelling on 29 May 1848.
A second note, written in 1993, records details and names of those involved in that year’s Crown Room refit.
The papers once again came to light earlier this year as work began to redesign the display of the Honours of Scotland - the Crown, Sword and Sceptre that form the Scottish Crown Jewels.
The papers will now be returned to their hiding place following conservation work thanks to a new container built by joiners at Historic Environment Scotland (HES) - alongside a record of the most recent work undertaken.
Andrew Carlberg-Husband, Joiner at HES who worked on the Crown Room and helped pen a record of the works for the time capsule, called it “a real moment of personal pride”.
He added: “For those that find the time capsule in the future, I’d want them to know that this project was the result of a lot of individuals from different backgrounds coming together to create the finished product that you see today, all of them bringing a high level of workmanship across all the different aspects of the project.”
The Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle has recently reopened to the public following major work to refresh the space and redisplay the Honours of Scotland.
A new bespoke case has been installed to keep these priceless objects secure, environmentally stable and presented at their best for the 2 million visitors who come to see them each year. It also improves sightlines and accessibility, helping visitors appreciate the Honours in new detail.
Elements of the Crown Room’s Victorian design, including its oak panelling, have also been carefully restored. HES joiners carved new oak shields to return these features to the simpler original form that would have decorated the display at the time.
Kathy Richmond, head of collections and applied conservation at HES, said the notes “add a new layer of understanding” to the Honours of Scotland.
She continued: “This time capsule creates a special connection between the craftspeople of the past and those of today and celebrates the legacy they share. Many of the traditional skills used centuries ago are still being practised, which makes it all the more important that we protect them for the future.
“We’re delighted that the newly refurbished Crown Room is once again open to the public. It feels an especially fitting moment to recognise everyone who has helped care for and conserve these treasures, so they can continue to inspire, teach and be enjoyed for generations to come.”