A SPECTACULAR new exhibition will open in the Hunterian Art Gallery next month.

Scottish Gold brings together a stunning collection of the finest gold specimens and objects from the Glasgow museum's collection as well as the British Museum and the Royal Collection in London.

It explores the use of gold in Scotland from prehistoric times to the present and offers a look at the history and cultural significance of the often valuable and highly sought after precious metal.

The exhibition looks at the occurrence of gold in Scotland and Scottish gold mining and covers the natural history of gold and the first use of gold coinage in the country.

Among the many treasures on display will be Queen Victoria's gold collar of the Order of the Thistle, the cloth of gold from the tomb of Robert the Bruce, Scottish gold coins, a gold ampulla used at the Scottish coronation of Charles 1, the King's Gold Cup from the Leith races of 1751 and 10 of the largest gold nuggets found in Scottish rivers.

Contemporary items include an 18 carat sold gold quaich made by Scottish goldsmith Graham Stewart and a Millennium gold medal produced by Malcolm Appleby for the Royal Society of Scotland.

The Hunterian is Scotland's oldest public museum and home to one of the largest collections outside the National Museum.

It is one of Scotland's most important cultural assets and one of the leading university museums in the UK and its collections have been recognised as of national significance.

The Scottish gold exhibition runs from March 14 until June 15 and admission is £5 and £3 for a concession.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk