So finger's crossed for another volume recounting  perhaps the famous chess people on their new major tour, starting a summer season in Edinburgh from May 2010 to September 2010, visiting, (imagine!) Aberdeen for Christmas and Hogmanay, enjoying an early spring in the Shetland Museum and going for their simmer dim to Museum nan Eilean, Stornaway on Lewis, the island that gave the 93 pieces their name, and is immortalised by  them. (Right: Queen with drinking horn).

The exhibition opens at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and will showcase 30 of the Lewis chess pieces  - 24 from the British Museum and 6 from the National Museum of Scotland. The Scottish Government has provided £75,000 towards the exhibition,  created in partnership with National Museums Scotland and the British Museum.(Left: King with sword)

Tour dates: * National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh:  May 21 - September 19, 2010. * Aberdeen Art Gallery: October 7, 2010 - January 8, 2011. * Shetland Museum & Archives: January 29, 2011 - March 27, 2011. * Museum nan Eilean, Stornoway: April 15, 2011 - September 12, 2011.

Discovered in the sand of Uig bay, the Isle of Lewis and thought to have been made in Norway in the late 12th or 13th century, the majority of pieces (82) are with the British Museum, with 11 on  display in the National Museum of Scotland. You'd think they could spare a few for Lewis! (Right: Knight on horse)

Culture Minister, Michael Russell said: "The Lewis Chessmen are a significant part of our culture and this major touring exhibition will give people across country an opportunity to see some of the most significant archaeological artefacts ever discovered in Scotland."

[As a cow is reported to be behind the disclosurer of the chessmen, so a rabbit  is attributed the unwitting archaeologist for the Orkney Skara Brae silver hoard, both emphasising the random element to Scotland's discovery of others' art works.]

"The free exhibition will showcase 30 of the intricately worked chess pieces from walrus ivory and whales' teeth" says Russel. "It will be a major attraction for tourists both locally and internationally. Visitors will also learn more about the fascinating story of the chessmen as the exhibition details the many stories and myths surrounding these iconic objects.

"The Chessmen reflect the strong cultural and political links between Scotland and Scandinavia in the Middle Ages and the growing popularity of the game of chess in Europe. [They] are an important symbol of European civilisation and have captivated the imagination of visitors and academics for many years. I am delighted that they will be making a return, a Homecoming, to the Isle of Lewis where they were first discovered in 1831." (Below: Berserker pawns)