NGC 6981 =M72 is a globular cluster with a late-type integrated spectrum (G3) and an ultraviolet excess of δ(U–B)=0.15 ±0.05, which places the cluster in the class of intermediate-to-high metal abundance clusters such as M3. The colour-magnitude diagram shows a horizontal branch populated on both sides of the variable star region. Previous work on the periods of the variables has indicated that the cluster is of Oosterhoff type I, with ≈0.55 day. Some results from B and V photometry of 21 RR Lyrae variables are described. Original measurements of about 50 candidate variables were made, including some possible new variables found by blinking plate pairs, but crowding and background photometric problems reduced the number of variables for which reasonable quality data could be obtained with the available 100-in plate material.