Celebration of the printed word

Aug 29 2008 by Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

Celebration of the printed word

THIS year sees the 500th anniversary of printing in Scotland.

To mark the quincentenary of Scotland’s printing heritage, Innerpeffray Library is staging an exhibition of selected items from all five centuries, including a huge tome printed in 1681, by David Lindsay of Edinburgh and Perth; Laws of Parliament from King James the First to King Charles the Second, and a little book The Laws & Acts made in the First Parliament of our Most High and Dread Sovereign James VII, printed by Perth’s first printer Robert Fairbairn in 1731.

This current display of books is not just a celebration of the printed word but also of the printer’s art as many of the books include complicated drawings and diagrams.

The quality of bindings that have been used through the years are also worth looking out for, and many of the books on show are relevant to the Strathearn area and include works by local authors and publishers.

Innerpeffray is Scotland's oldest free public lending library and was founded along with a school in 1680 by David Drummond, 3rd Lord Madertie. The present building dates from 1762 and the scope of the library’s collection is vast. Of the 3000 titles it holds printed before 1810, the earliest dates back to 1502.

The Keepers of Strathearn’s small but perfectly formed library, Colin and Anne Edgar, will be on hand to welcome visitors and explain more about the interesting items on show. Admission to the library costs £5 for adults with children under 15 admitted free.

Opening times are Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 12.45pm and 2pm to 4.45pm and on Sunday from 2pm until 4pm. Groups are welcome at any time by prior arrangement.

For more information, call (01764) 652819 or go to www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk.