Scottish history lovers can get a unique view of their country’s heritage at the National Museum of Scotland (NMS) – a team of experts has rebuilt a Pictish throne. The wooden giant was created by master furniture maker Adrian McCurdy, who took his lines from ancient stone carvings. Picts ruled Scotland north of the Firth of Clyde from the 4th to 9th century AD. But they are best known for their mysterious rock art, which still baffles experts today.

The throne was commissioned by the museum alongside distillers Glenmorangie. It will go on display next Tuesday (December 1st) at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, before moving to the Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain, Ross-shire, next year. It will visit a number of locations across the country thereafter. A new book exploring Scotland’s ancient past will be published in a book to be published in 2011.

“We’ve learnt so much about the design, manufacture and use of these thrones.”

David Clark, the NMS’ archaeology keeper, hailed his researchers and the uniqueness of the throne. “There are no surviving examples of thrones from early historic Scotland,” he tells the BBC, “and during the process of recreating this piece we’ve learnt so much about the design, manufacture and use of these thrones. It’s very exciting to see this type of throne brought to life for the first time in over a thousand years.”

Scottish heritage has been frequently hitting the Heritage Key headlines for the past few months. The long sought-after Lewis Chessmen will be coming back to the NMS on loan; Torc Iron Age gold has been found worth 1million; a rare Bronz Age burial has been discovered in the Highlands; and prehistoric rock art has been found in Perthshire.

We still prefer King Tut’s throne – which you can still see right here at Heritage Key, thanks to the amazing photography of Sandro Vannini!

Would you visit the reproduction throne? Would you go out of your way to visit any replica artefact?Join the debate and have your say here at Heritage Key!