Hawick Missal to be performed for first time in 450 years

The world premiere of what is to be believed to be the first performance of the Hawick Missal in more than 450 years is to take place in the Scottish Borders, Historic Scotland has announced.

The Hawick Missal is a manuscript fragment which laid undiscovered for hundreds of years before its rediscover in the Scottish Borders. Now, the Fragments Project aims to re-connect with the Hawick Missal Fragment’s original aspiration and explore the 'very simple but compelling idea' of the expression the divine in the 21st century.

Undiscovered for centuries

The Hawick Missal was discovered in 2009, in an uncatalogued collection of family and solicitors’ papers, by Rachel Hosker and her staff at the Heritage Hub in Hawick in The Borders. The family were the Rutherfords of Knowesouth, near Jedburgh, and the mystery of how it was found in this collection is still being investigated.

Alison Stalker, Historic Scotland’s Assistant Events Manager said: 'Come and join us for an evening of talks, music and images and discover more about this exciting new music and arts project, inspired by the Missal fragment and the great Border abbeys.

'You will have the opportunity to see the Missal fragment up close and hear the story of how this priceless manuscript was saved and is now interpreted by experts. There will also be the chance to enjoy a complimentary drink in the Heritage Hub afterwards.'

Event details

21 November, 7.30pm at the Tower Mill in Hawick. Tickets: £10 adult/ £8 concession (10% discount for Historic Scotland members).

For more information, or to book, visit the Historic Scotland Fragments project website.

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