The National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh has opened a new exhibition celebrating rain, a defining feature of Scottish life. The display draws on the country's literary and scientific heritage, featuring James Hutton's 1784 "theory of rain," alongside works by Robert Burns, Minnie the Minx from the Beano, and a rare copy of King James VI's Daemonologie, which blamed witches for storms. The exhibition includes early rain maps, a weather forecast wall, and artifacts exploring rain's cultural and historical impact, from poetry to newspaper archives.
This exhibition matters because it reframes a mundane weather phenomenon as a central thread in Scotland's cultural identity, connecting science, literature, folklore, and daily life. By breaking from the library's usual biographical or historical focus, it offers a fresh, accessible lens on national heritage, while also highlighting how deeply rain has shaped Scottish creativity, resilience, and even humor. The show's location near the entrance invites spontaneous visits from tourists, making it a timely and engaging public offering.