---
title: "Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "National Museums Scotland"
published: "2026-08-27"
---

# Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance

Buyer: National Museums Scotland  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688.json)

## Summary

National Museums Scotland is seeking a principal contractor for the Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance exhibition. The requirement covers design development, the supply and installation of the exhibition build and graphics, and taking the exhibition down afterwards. The work includes production drawings and information, setting out, wall preparation and gallery painting, installation of wall systems, joinery, setwork structures, audiovisual housings and screens, display-case interiors, graphics, and electrical and audiovisual installation. The exhibition will be delivered at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street, Edinburgh, in Special Exhibitions Gallery 1. This is a museum exhibition fit-out and de-installation services contract, suited to contractors combining exhibition construction, specialist installation and project delivery capabilities.

The buyer has reached the tender stage and invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission. Bids must be submitted by 12:00 on 21 September 2026; they will be opened electronically at the same time in Glasgow. The contract period is 23 October 2026 to 3 December 2027, covering the design, fit-out and take-down phases. The estimated contract value is £150,000. Bids must remain valid for 120 days after the submission deadline, and variants are not allowed. The buyer requires the names and professional qualifications of staff assigned to the work. A tenderer site visit is scheduled for 09:00–10:00 on 7 September 2026 in Edinburgh, with attendance limited to two representatives per company and advance confirmation required.

This opportunity suits an experienced principal contractor able to manage a museum exhibition project from design development through installation and later de-installation. Relevant suppliers will need practical capability in exhibition build, graphics production and installation, joinery, wall systems, setwork structures, display cases, gallery finishes, electrical systems and audiovisual equipment. The scope also favours firms that can coordinate production drawings, technical information, setting out and multiple specialist trades on a live cultural venue project. Bidders must identify the staff assigned to the contract and provide their professional qualifications, so a suitably qualified delivery team is important. Contractors with proven exhibition fit-out and take-down experience, supported by reliable installation and project-management capacity, are well placed to compete.

## Notice

National Museums Scotland wishes to engage a Principal Contractor for design development, fit-out and de-install for the Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance Exhibition

### Lot Information

Lot 1

National Museums Scotland (the Client) wishes to engage a suitably qualified Principal Contractor to supply and install the build and graphics for the exhibition Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance Exhibition which will be shown in Special Exhibitions Gallery 1 from the 12 June 2027 until the 14 November 2027 at the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. The contract will be delivered in three phases as follows: Phase 1 - Design Development Phase 2 - Exhibition Fit-out (including production drawings and information, setting out, wall preparation and gallery painting, installation of wall system, joinery, setwork structures, AV housings, AV screens, display case interiors, graphics and electrical and AV installation) Phase 3 - Exhibition Take-down. A site visit is available for tenderers to attend at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, 09:00-10:00 on Monday 7th September 2026. Maximum of 2 representatives per company may attend. Attendance must be confirmed in advance, see Schedule 1 for further details.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG563267 |
| Notice type | PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 27 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 21 Sep 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 23 Oct 2026 - 3 Dec 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £150,000 |
| Lots value | £150,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | National Museums Scotland |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Postcode area | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH1 1JF |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | City Centre |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh East and Musselburgh |
| Delivery location | TLM75 City of Edinburgh |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

### Codes

- 92521100 - Museum-exhibition services

## Release History

- 27 Aug 2026 at 01:00 - Tender - PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG563267

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG563267
  Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance - National Museums Scotland wishes to engage a Principal Contractor for design development, fit-out and de-install for the Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance Exhibition

## Notice URLs

- http://www.creativescotland.com
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688
- https://www.nms.ac.uk
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=840688
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=840688
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688.json.