An exhibition charting the campaign for the Scottish Parliament begins at the Musuem of Edinburgh today.

Democracy for Scotland: The Referendum Experience features images, campaign material and testimonials from the second half of the 20th century.

Exhibits, taken from the Scottish Political Archive (SPA), come from several different sources, including the Scots Independent Newspaper photograph collection, the Devolution Referendums Oral History Collection and the Federation of Student Nationalists, containing minutes, correspondence and leaflets.

Former MP and MSP Dennis Canavan, who played a key role in the creation of the parliament, helped Councillor Deidre Brock, Culture and Leisure convener, to open the exhibition.

Councillor Brock said: “This city is at the heart of Scottish politics, so it's absolutely fitting one of our museums is showcasing this topical exhibit about an important chapter in Scottish political history. It will inform and inspire all those who visit.”

Scottish Political Archives director Peter Lynch added: “This exhibition exploring the nature of the 1979 and 1997 devolution referendums could not be timelier. The issues raised at the two previous referendum campaigns have enormous contemporary significance for the proposed referendum in 2014.”

The free exhibition runs until April 24.

IN DETAIL

Democracy for Scotland: The Referendum Experience