In September 1507 King James IV granted a patent to Androw Myllar and Walter Chepman authorising them to set up a printing press in Edinburgh. The earliest known dated output from their press ('The Complaint of the Black Knight') is dated 4th April 1508.

2008 - Year of the Printed Word

Welcome to the celebrations of 500 years of Scottish print culture.

Friday 4 April 2008 was the 500th anniversary of the printing of The Complaint of the Black Knight by Chepman and Myllar in Edinburgh. It was marked by

• the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the corner of Blackfriars Street and the Cowgate near the site of Scotland's first printing press
• modern press was sited on Princes Street printing souvenir posters for the public to take away
• only known copy of Scotland's first dated printed book was put on display to the public at the National Library of Scotland
• a website showing the spread of printing across Scotland was launched www.nls.uk/printing/
• there was a public day of printing at Dundee Contemporary Arts, based on the text and printers' devices from 'The Complaint of the Black Knight', culminating in a public reading of the poem www.500years.co.uk
• there was a celebratory dinner in the Playfair Library Hall. For a report see www.hss.ed.ac.uk/chb/500years.htm

But this is only the beginning: exhibitions, workshops and other events are taking place all over Scotland throughout the year. Come and explore the printing heritage of Scotland, at one time printer to the world. See our Activities and events page for details of events in your area, or contact: Helen Williams, Programme Manager hwilliams@500yearsofprinting.org

The celebration of the quincentenary of Chepman and Myllar's press is promoted by the National Library of Scotland, the Scottish Printing Archival Trust and the Scottish Print Employers’ Federation and endorsed by the Scottish Government.

Please note: all images on this website are copyright to contributors to the project. If you have any queries please contact the programme manager.

Last updated: 5 May 2008