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Scottish Britpop band Travis famously warbled "why does it always rain on me?" and now a new exhibition set to celebrate all things downpour-related. The National Library of Scotland will launch a major new attraction focusing on the impact of rain on society north of the border.

According to the Edinburgh-based institution the soggy spectacle, opening in June, will showcase Scotland's relationship with rain and how it has impacted poetry, literature, music, and science.

Alison Stevenson, director of collections, access and research, said: "Rain is so pervasive in our lives in Scotland that it is no surprise it is everywhere in the collections. Love it or hate it, rain features heavily in poetry and prose, as well as our music collections.

"It's the subject of countless science books and personal diary entries. It's often the leading headline in the newspaper and TV news collections - whether there's too much or too little. There are many terms and references for rain in our three main languages.

"We take a light-hearted approach at times as part of this exhibition, presenting rain in the poetry of Burns, the songs of Prince, Travis and Rihanna, Gene Kelly's iconic dance. And we invite visitors to consider their own attitudes towards rain

Star items on display will include the Library's copy of 18th-century Scottish scientist James Hutton's 'Theory of Rain'; an original 1952 press book from the iconic film 'Singin' in the Rain'; and a vintage map of Scotland's whisky distilleries, complete with tartan trim.

From the archives, there's also a handwritten 19th-century recipe book which features a recipe for waterproofing clothes, with the author declaring that umbrellas "in windy weather, are worse than useless".

Ms Stevenson added: "We invite visitors to consider their own attitudes towards rain.

"But we are also aware of the acute problems associated with too much or too little rain around the world, causing floods, drought and displacement, all of which we will explore through our associated programme of workshops and events."

Rain opens to the public on Friday, June 19 and will run until April next year. Entry is free.

The exhibition has been supported by Scotland's Green Libraries Grant Fund (via the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland), The Seachdain na Gàidhlig Small Grants Fund, and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.