The only exhibition devoted to the character of this important region of Scotland, many hundreds of objects, photographs and quotations are displayed to illustrate the area from the first settlers of 8000 years ago to the present day. The exhibition is arranged in alphabetical order to create some surprising juxtapositions of objects of different ages and functions and to encourage visitors to reflect on ideas of classification and order.

Rome's importance as an artistic centre was undisputed throughout the eighteenth century. After the deposition of the Catholic James VII and II in 1688, he maintained a Court in Rome which attracted Jacobite followers. They became tourist guides, tutors in architecture and archaeology, architects, decorators, art-dealers and conoisseurs. Eminent amongst these virtuosi was a group of Scots, all with Jacobite connections.