Marvel at Scotland’s glittering crown jewels, the Honours of the Kingdom.  The nation’s crown jewels are the oldest royal regalia in the United Kingdom.

The Honours of Scotland © Historic Scotland

Key facts


The Crown with bonnet, on cushion © Historic Scotland
These precious symbols of the ancient kingdom are displayed in the Crown Room of the castle’s Royal Palace. The room was built specially for the Honours in 1617, as part of King James VI ‘hamecoming’ to Scotland, to celebrate his Golden Jubilee as king of Scots.
The Honours of Scotland © Historic Scotland

The crown, sceptre and sword date from the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The sceptre was presented to James IV in 1494, probably by Pope Alexander VI, and the Sword in 1508 by Pope Julius II.

- The Crown was made in 1540 by the Edinburgh goldsmith John Mosman, who lived in the Royal Mile. Mosman melted down the gold from the old crown, added more Scottish gold and studded the new circlet with precious gemstones.  The Crown was worn for the first time by James V at the coronation of his second queen, Marie de Guise.

- The crown, sceptre and sword were first used together at the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in Stirling Castle on 9 September 1543. She was just nine months old at the time, and cried throughout the ceremony.

- The Honours of Scotland still play a vital role in Scotland’s ceremonial life. They are formally presented to each new sovereign; and the crown is present at State openings of the Scottish Parliament.

- The Honours have been buried three times: twice in the 1650s to hide them from Oliver Cromwell, and then in the Second World War, in case of a Nazi invasion.