26/05/2026
We are proud and excited to show you the newly refurbished Crown Room and home to Honours of Scotland👑
After the completion of a four-month project to this very important room within the castle, you now can visit and see the honours in their beautiful new display case, creating a new and unique way to view the Crown of Scotland, the Sceptre, and the Sword of State with its Belt and Scabbard.
Did you know that on this day in May 1819 the Honours of Scotland went on public display in the Crown Room? From 1651 and 1660 the famous jewels had been hidden for their own protection.
First they were buried at Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven, then under the floor of nearby Kinneff Church. The sword belt was kept behind by George Ogilvie at Dunottar. It was later found by chance in 1790, where it had been built into a garden wall at Ogilvie’s house. It was finally returned to Edinburgh in 1892.
After the 1707 Treaty of Union between Scotland and England, the Crown Jewels (minus the sword belt) were locked away in the Crown Room. There they lay forgotten for 111 years. Until their discovery, many feared that the Honours were missing. Rumours circulated that they had been removed to England. One account even tells us how the Castle’s Lieutenant Governor, Major Drummond, accessed the Crown Room in 1794 – but when he knocked on the chest and shook it he heard no sound.
It was only in 1818 when Sir Walter Scott was given a Royal Warrant to enter the Crown Room that they were finally and thankfully rediscovered.
The redevelopment of the Crown Room is the latest chapter in the unfolding story of the Honours of Scotland.
👀Take a look at our official pictures below or come and visit us here at the castle and see them in person!
