From the Vaults: Whisky and the Scots

Over five hundred years of Scotland's national drink will be brought alive this May and June with a landmark exhibition telling the story of Scotch Whisky through archive treasures held in both the National Archives of Scotland and private industry collections.

For the first time, the famous 1494 Exchequer Rolls will be on public display.  The first record of whisky distilling in Scotland is considered to be the industry's 'founding document' and records Friar John Cor of Lindores Abbey being granted 'eight bolls of malt wherewith to make acqua vitae' by King James IV.   'Acqua vitae' translates to water of life, and became 'uisge beatha' in Gaelic before anglicisation into 'whisky'.

The free exhibition - 'From the Vaults: Whisky and the Scots' - runs from 7 May-26 June, at the National Archives West Register House on Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. 

Diageo and John Dewar & Sons have specially loaned objects from their own extensive collections.  The exhibition itself is a collaboration between The National Archives of Scotland, John Dewar & Sons, Diageo, and the SWA.  

Rare exhibits from the National Archives show the close links between Robert Burns and whisky, a relationship that sparked much of his finest work.  Most poignant is Burns' deteriorating signature as he signs for his exciseman's salary as he approached death.