A rare letter written by an Edinburgh-born passenger who died aboard the Titanic will feature in a major exhibition opening in the city later this month.
The UK’s largest travelling Titanic exhibition will open at the Royal Highland Centre on November 28, 2026, featuring a digital copy of a letter written by Robert Douglas Norman, an electrical engineer from Newington who died aged 28 when the ship sank in 1912.
Written on April 9, 1912, just days before the disaster, the letter outlined Norman’s wishes for the distribution of his estate and effectively served as his last will and testament.
Norman was also remembered for playing the piano during a hymn service aboard the Titanic. The original letter is held by the National Records of Scotland, which has provided a digital copy for the exhibition.
The exhibition will run until February 14, 2027, marking its longest Scottish run to date. It will take visitors through the ship’s history, from its construction in Belfast to its rediscovery on the ocean floor.
Artefacts on display will include an original Titanic deckchair, believed to be one of only a handful to survive, and what is thought to be the largest remaining fragment of the ship’s aft Grand Staircase. A weight ticket from the ship’s Turkish Bath will also offer a glimpse into life aboard the liner.
Visitors will receive a boarding pass representing a real passenger or crew member and discover their fate by the end of the exhibition.
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Mark Currie, managing director of the Royal Highland Centre, said: "Welcoming Titanic Exhibition to the Royal Highland Centre for its Edinburgh debut is a fantastic opportunity to bring a cultural experience of this scale and scope to the capital.
"The venue is built for major events like this, and we're proud to provide a home for an exhibition that will attract visitors from across Scotland.
"We can't wait to open our doors and welcome people from near and far over the coming months."
Jocelyn Grant, head of outreach at the National Records of Scotland, said: "Behind the Titanic tragedy are the personal stories of those who lost their lives, including Edinburgh-born Robert Douglas Norman, who was just 28 when he died.
"His letter, written only days before the disaster, offers a moving insight into his life and highlights the importance of preserving historical records for future generations."
Tom Rudderham, Titanic historian, collector and exhibition designer, said: "Scotland has always given this exhibition a wonderful welcome, so bringing it to Edinburgh for the first time is particularly special.
"Titanic's story has captivated audiences for more than a century, and there's nothing quite like seeing authentic artefacts up close and discovering the personal stories behind them.
"What makes this exhibition even more special is its connection to Edinburgh through Robert Douglas Norman's story and we thank the National Records of Scotland archive team for providing a digital copy of his letter and helping us share an important part of the city's history."
The exhibition is led by Titanic historian, collector and exhibition designer Tom Rudderham, alongside event manager Joe Levy. It follows previous runs in Aberdeen and Glasgow.
Tickets are on sale now through the Royal Highland Centre website.
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