https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/rss/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:19:47 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/work-starts-on-the-undercroft-18-mar-2026 https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/work-starts-on-the-undercroft-18-mar-2026 Two years after the Library reopened in 2024 following major exterior restoration, we are now about to start on the Undercroft. Contractors will be on site from Monday 23 March. The work is expected to take several weeks. The full restoration plan has a number of phases, major exterior restoration, then preparing the Undercroft fabric and interior into a usable space, followed by a fit-out to in Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:23:29 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/volunteer-opportunity-fundraising-volunteer-for-leighton-library-19-feb-2026 https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/volunteer-opportunity-fundraising-volunteer-for-leighton-library-19-feb-2026 Volunteer Opportunity: Fundraising Volunteer Leighton Library Are you passionate about heritage, culture and community? Do you have experience — or a strong interest — in fundraising strategy and development? The Leighton Library is seeking a committed Volunteer Fundraising Lead to help secure the long-term future of Scotland’s oldest purpose-built library. About the Role Thi Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:36:55 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/-issue-number-11-of-leighton-letter-newsletter-now-available-11-feb-2026 https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/-issue-number-11-of-leighton-letter-newsletter-now-available-11-feb-2026 📰🗞️ Issue Number 11 of The Leighton Letter, the latest issue of the Friends of Leighton Library newsletter, is now being sent to all Friends and supporters of Dunblane's historic Leighton Library. We welcome new Friends of the Leighton Library - click on this link to find out about becoming a Friend - your invaluable support of £30 a year helps to fund the annual running costs of the Libra Sat, 17 Jan 2026 08:45:13 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1749-edition-of-7-volume-history-of-the-popes-by-archibald-bower-17-jan-20 https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1749-edition-of-7-volume-history-of-the-popes-by-archibald-bower-17-jan-20 The Leighton Library has a 1749 edition of the controversial 7-volume "History of the Popes" by Scottish historian Archibald Bower, born #OnThisDay 17 January 1686. He was noted for his complicated and varying religious faith (by the end of his life it appeared he had changed religion three times!)The book criticised the power of the Catholic Church using historical research, at a moment when that Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:57:44 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1653-edition-of-in-sacra-biblia-graeca-ex-versione-lxx-interpretum-scholia https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1653-edition-of-in-sacra-biblia-graeca-ex-versione-lxx-interpretum-scholia The Leighton Library has a 1653 edition of "In Sacra Biblia graeca ex versione LXX interpretum scholia; simul et interpretum caeterorum lectiones variantes" by influential English nontrinitarian, often called the Father of English Unitarianism, John Biddle, born #OnThisDay 14 January 1615. He was imprisoned several times for his rejection of the Trinity, dying at only 47 years of age from an illne Fri, 9 Jan 2026 08:30:25 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1554-edition-of-annalium-boiorum-by-johannes-aventinus-9-jan-2026 https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1554-edition-of-annalium-boiorum-by-johannes-aventinus-9-jan-2026 #OnThisDay 9 January 1534 Bavarian Renaissance historian and philologist known by the pen name Johannes Aventinus died. The Leighton Library has a 1554 first edition of his "Annalium Boiorum" - Annals of Bavaria, a valuable record of the early history of Germany, the first significant history of a region of Germany. As a result of his nonconformity the Annals were not published until after his dea Thu, 8 Jan 2026 09:36:31 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1724-edition-of-de-officio-hominis-et-civis-by-baron-samuel-von-pufendorf- https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1724-edition-of-de-officio-hominis-et-civis-by-baron-samuel-von-pufendorf- The Leighton Library has a 1724 edition of "De officio hominis et civis" (“On the Duty of Man and Citizen”) by German jurist, political philosopher, economist, statesman, and historian Baron Samuel von Pufendorf who was born #OnThisDay 8 January 1632. This is a treatise on the duty of man and citizen according to the natural law, one of the most influential early textbooks on how society, law, and Wed, 7 Jan 2026 08:10:20 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1743-edition-of-the-adventures-of-telemachus-by-francois-de-salignac-de-la https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1743-edition-of-the-adventures-of-telemachus-by-francois-de-salignac-de-la The Leighton Library has a 1743 edition of "The Adventures of Telemachus" by French archbishop, theologian, poet and writer François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon who died #OnThisDay 7 January 1715. This book fills out a gap in Homer's Odyssey, recounting the educational travels of Telemachus, son of Ulysses, accompanied by his tutor (revealed in the story to be Minerva, goddess of wisdom, in di Tue, 6 Jan 2026 08:31:46 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1674-edition-of-seven-sermons-preached-by-seth-lord-bishop-of-sarum-by-set https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1674-edition-of-seven-sermons-preached-by-seth-lord-bishop-of-sarum-by-set The Leighton Library has a 1674 edition of "Seven sermons preached by Seth Lord Bishop of Sarum" by English mathematician, astronomer & Bishop of Salisbury, Seth Ward who died #OnThisDay 6 January 1689Seth Ward was one of the most influential churchmen and intellectuals of Restoration England. He was known for being very tough on religious dissenters after the monarchy was restored in 1660. Ward’s Sat, 3 Jan 2026 09:04:20 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1737-toland-edition-of-the-commonwealth-of-oceana-by-james-harrington-3-ja https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1737-toland-edition-of-the-commonwealth-of-oceana-by-james-harrington-3-ja The Leighton Library has a 1737 Toland edition of the controversial publication "The Commonwealth of Oceana" by classical republicanism political theorist James Harrington, who was born #OnThisDay 3 January 1611. This was dedicated to Oliver Cromwell, and it was an exposition of a utopian constitution for an English republic in the wake of the execution of King Charles I in 1649. Oceana was origin Sun, 28 Dec 2025 21:04:17 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/news-segment-about-leighton-library-broadcast-on-stv-news-on-sunday-28-december-28-dec-2025 https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/news-segment-about-leighton-library-broadcast-on-stv-news-on-sunday-28-december-28-dec-2025 There was a news segment about the Leighton Library broadcast on the STV early evening news programme on Sunday 28 December. STV news reporter, presenter and producer Joanne Bonnar, spoke with the Leighton Library’s Josh Smith, Alastair MacDonald, Celia Aitken and Dan Gunn. If you didn’t catch it live, you can watch it on STV Player on the 5.20pm News programme for Sunday 28 December, Tue, 2 Dec 2025 14:14:09 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-modern-facsimile-of-1842-edition-of-an-appeal-to-parliament-or-zions-plea https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-modern-facsimile-of-1842-edition-of-an-appeal-to-parliament-or-zions-plea The Leighton Library has a modern facsimile copy of the 1842 edition of “An Appeal to Parliament, or, Zion’s Plea Against Prelacy” by Alexander Leighton, father of Robert Leighton. The Leighton Library acknowledges with gratitude the gift, by Volunteer Guide David Kirk, of this modern edition of the book. David Kirk has kindly provided the following information about this. Bruce Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:56:45 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/new-decorate-biscuits-in-shape-of-leighton-library-available-for-limited-time-in-leighton-libra https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/new-decorate-biscuits-in-shape-of-leighton-library-available-for-limited-time-in-leighton-libra NEW! Available only for a limited time, hear Max and Murray share about biscuits newly available to buy in the Leighton Library. These biscuits are shaped and decorated to look like the Leighton Library. Max and Murray are members of the 25th Stirling (Dunblane) Boys' Brigade, volunteering their time to the Leighton Library as they work towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award. The Leighton Library Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:06:22 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/new-just-in-leighton-library-shop-now-has-2026-calendar-available-in-the-leighton-library-21-oc https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/new-just-in-leighton-library-shop-now-has-2026-calendar-available-in-the-leighton-library-21-oc NEW! Just in, Leighton Library shop now has 2026 calendar available in the Leighton Library. Each month features a book related to that month, with beautiful photographs alongside information about the chosen book. At just £10 each they will make great gifts for book lovers, so pop in and get your calendar. Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:26:50 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/new-video-from-bruce-fummey-of-scotland-history-tours-about-some-of-the-banned-books-in-dunblan https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/new-video-from-bruce-fummey-of-scotland-history-tours-about-some-of-the-banned-books-in-dunblan Enjoy watching a new video from Bruce Fummey of Scotland History Tours about some of the banned books in Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library, with a particular focus on one by Robert Leighton’s father, Alexander Leighton The Leighton Library acknowledges with gratitude the gift, by Volunteer Guide David Kirk, of the modern edition of the book by Alexander Leighton ("Zion's plea again Fri, 3 Oct 2025 07:35:55 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1736-edition-of-theologiae-vere-christianae-apologia-an-apology-for-the-tr https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1736-edition-of-theologiae-vere-christianae-apologia-an-apology-for-the-tr The Leighton Library has a 1736 edition of "Theologiae vere christianae apologia - An apology for the true Christian divinity" (written in both Latin and English) by Scottish theologian and politician, 2nd Governor of East Jersey colony in North America, Robert Barclay who died #OnThisDay 3 October 1690. He was a Scottish Quaker, considered one of the most eminent writers belonging to the Religiou Wed, 1 Oct 2025 07:36:11 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1637-edition-of-missale-romanum-1-oct-2025 https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1637-edition-of-missale-romanum-1-oct-2025 It's #InternationalMusicDay#MusicDay today, 1 October 2025. The Leighton Library has a 1637 edition of "Missale Romanum" which contains music, texts and rubrics for the celebration of the most common liturgy and Mass of the Catholic Church. This is like a guidebook that included not just the prayers and rituals, but also the musical cues and chants that shaped the soundscape of worship.This editio Tue, 30 Sep 2025 07:39:08 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1685-first-published-edition-of-the-entire-bible-translated-into-the-irish https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1685-first-published-edition-of-the-entire-bible-translated-into-the-irish It’s #InternationalTranslationDay#TranslationDay today, 30 September 2025. Hear Leighton Library Volunteer Guide Alastair MacDonald share about the Leighton Library’s 1685 first published edition of the entire Bible translated into the Irish language. This includes a fresh translation of the New Testament, dated 1681, and a revision of the previously unpublished work of William Bedell (1571-1642), Mon, 29 Sep 2025 07:25:09 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1671-2nd-edition-of-the-creed-of-mr-hobbes-examined-in-a-feigned-conferenc https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1671-2nd-edition-of-the-creed-of-mr-hobbes-examined-in-a-feigned-conferenc The Leighton Library has a 1671 2nd edition of "The creed of Mr. Hobbes examined; in a feigned conference between him and a student in divinity" by English church leader, Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Tenison who was born #OnThisDay 29 September 1636. It’s a fictional dialogue between Hobbes and a divinity student. Tenison uses this setup to challenge Hobbes’s controversial ideas about religion, Sun, 28 Sep 2025 08:54:25 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1580-edition-of-influential-but-controversial-treatise-de-jure-regni-apud- https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1580-edition-of-influential-but-controversial-treatise-de-jure-regni-apud- The Leighton Library has a 1580 edition of influential but controversial treatise "De Jure Regni apud Scotos" (a book condemned by acts of parliament, and burned by the University of Oxford!) by Scottish historian and scholar George Buchanan who died #OnThisDay 28 September 1582. The book (Latin title translates as “On the Right of Kingship among the Scots”) sets out that the source of all politic Thu, 25 Sep 2025 07:45:11 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1641-edition-of-96-sermons-of-lancelot-andrewes-25-sep-2025 https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1641-edition-of-96-sermons-of-lancelot-andrewes-25-sep-2025 The Leighton Library has a 1641 edition of 96 sermons of English bishop and scholar Lancelot Andrewes who died #OnThisDay 25 September 1626. He held high positions in the Church of England during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, including serving as Bishop of Chichester, of Ely, and of Winchester and oversaw the translation of the King James Version of the Bible (or Authorized Version). Serm Wed, 24 Sep 2025 08:17:50 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1622-edition-of-angeli-politiani-et-aliorum-virorum-illustrium-epistolarum https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1622-edition-of-angeli-politiani-et-aliorum-virorum-illustrium-epistolarum The Leighton Library has a 1622 edition of “Angeli Politiani et aliorum virorum illustrium, Epistolarum libri XII. Eiusdem Praefatio in Suetonii Tranquilli expositionem” by Italian classical scholar and poet of the Florentine Renaissance Angelo Ambrogini who died #OnThisDay 24 September 1494. He was commonly known by his nickname Poliziano (or in English as Politian or in Latin Politianus). In 200 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 07:49:49 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1698-first-edition-of-a-defence-of-dramatick-poetry-being-a-review-of-mr-c https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1698-first-edition-of-a-defence-of-dramatick-poetry-being-a-review-of-mr-c The Leighton Library has a 1698 First Edition of "A defence of dramatick poetry : being a review of Mr. Collier's View of the immorality and profaneness of the stage" by Edward Filmer, Thomas Rymer and Elkanah Settle, about the views of English theatre critic, non-juror bishop and theologian Jeremy Collier, born #OnThisDay 23 September 1650. In 1698, Jeremy Collier published “A Short View of the I Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:27:23 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1656-edition-of-magica-de-spectris-et-apparitionibus-spirit-de-vaticiniis- https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1656-edition-of-magica-de-spectris-et-apparitionibus-spirit-de-vaticiniis- #OnThisDay 22 September 1682 the last hanging for those convicted of witchcraft in Britain's North American colonies took place, in the Salem witch trials, with others all eventually released. The Leighton Library has books in witchcraft, including a 1656 edition of "Magica de spectris et apparitionibus spiritũ, de vaticiniis, divinationibus" edited by Henning Grosse. This is a compilation of refe Sat, 20 Sep 2025 08:53:33 GMT https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1659-edition-of-sinicae-historiae-decas-prima-by-martini-20-sep-2025 https://www.leightonlibrary.org.uknews/leighton-library-has-1659-edition-of-sinicae-historiae-decas-prima-by-martini-20-sep-2025 The Leighton Library has a 1659 edition of "Sinicae historiae decas prima" by Italian missionary, cartographer and historian (mainly working on ancient Imperial China), Martino Martini who was born #OnThisDay 20 September 1614. He planned this to be the first of a series of chronological works covering the whole Chinese history from the earliest age, but only this first part appeared (which reache