World's Oldest Football Flies Out To World Cup Show

The world's oldest football has been flown out of Scotland (on its own seat so we hear!) to star in a World Cup exhibition in Germany.

In case you've been living under a rock for the last few weeks and haven't heard, the 2006 World Cup starts on 9 June.

Now, we know you footie fans reckon you know all there is to know about the beautiful game, but have you ever wondered what the very first football was made of or who used to play with it?

© Smith Art Gallery & Museum.

The ball in the picture above was found in the 1970s. It was tucked up in the ceiling rafters of a bedroom in Stirling Castle.

The bedroom once belonged to the elegant lady in this painting. Her name was Mary, Queen of Scots.

Mary ruled Scotland from 1542 to 1567. She became queen when she was only six days old!

The bedroom ceiling was enclosed with wooden panels in the 1540s so the ball was probably kicked up there accidentally before that.

This portrait of Mary is by an unknown artist. Its title is Mary, Queen of Scots, 1542-1587.

© Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

The football is thought to be the oldest one ever found anywhere in the world! It's made from leather on the outside and an inflated pig's bladder on the inside.

Experts believe Mary would have played with the ball with her courtiers or watched as her staff or soldiers played with it.

© Smith Art Gallery & Museum.

The famous football is going to be on display in Hamburg in Germany over the summer of 2006 but will head back to Scotland, to the Smith Art Gallery & Museum in September.

PS - if you liked the idea of Mary playing footie, check out our story about Henry VIII's football boots too.