Writers Museum, Edinburgh City Museums
The Writers’ Museum celebrates the lives of three giants of Scottish Literature – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Home to portraits, rare books and personal objects including Burns’ writing desk, the printing press on which Scott’s Waverley Novels were first produced, and the rocking horse he used as a child. We have Robert Louis Stevenson’s riding boots and the ring given to him by a Samoan chief, engraved with the name ‘Tusitala’, meaning ‘teller of tales’. There is also a plaster cast of Robert Burns’ skull, one of only three ever made.
This free museum is easy to locate just off the Lawnmarket, the top part of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, in Lady Stair’s Close.
With a wide range of stories and objects this museum has something for everyone to enjoy, whether young or old, local resident or visitor. You don’t need to have read these writers’ works to enjoy the fascinating life stories told in the Writers’ Museum.
Collection Highlights include:
The Writers’ rich collections include books, manuscripts, portraits and fascinating personal items relating to Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Highlights include a first edition of Scott’s novel Waverley and Stevenson’s beloved classic, A Child’s Garden of Verses. Manuscripts include Burns’ draft of Scots wha hae (‘Bruce’s Address to his troops at Bannockburn’). There is also the press on which Scott’s Waverley Novels were printed, a chair used by Burns to correct proofs at William Smellie’s printing office, and Stevenson’s wardrobe made by the infamous Deacon Brodie whose double life may have inspired the novel The strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Read MoreAberdeenshire Farming Museum
Relive the story of our famous farming past in the beautiful surroundings of Aden Country Park. Visit the delightful country park location with children’s play area and woodland walks.
Start at the unique, semi-circular home farm steading. Visit Hareshowe, a working farm set in the 1950s and see the reconstructed interior of the Horseman’s House. We also have a theatre available for booking.
Aberdeenshire Farming Museum has been approved as a Recognised Collection of National Significance by Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS). The aim of the scheme is to celebrate, promote and invest in the nationally significant museum and gallery collections around Scotland.
Read MoreGlasgow Museums: Riverside Museum
Riverside Museum is Glasgow’s award-winning transport museum. With over 3,000 objects on display there’s everything from skateboards to locomotives, paintings to prams and cars to a Stormtrooper.
Get hands on with our interactive displays. Walk through Glasgow streets and visit the shops, bar and subway. Climb aboard a train, tram or bus and get a real feel for old public transport. Discover Glasgow’s rich shipbuilding history, explore the car and motorbike walls and help put out a fire with our interactive fire engine.
There are over 90 large touch screens panels full of images, memories and films that tell the fascinating stories behind the objects. There really is something for all ages to enjoy at the Riverside Museum.
Read MoreHawick Museum and The Scott Gallery
Hawick Museum’s parkland location and fascinating displays reflect the endeavour of the town and its people. The objects and fine works of art collected are not just about Hawick but a window on the world.
The permanent displays allow many of our wonderful artefacts to be shown. The Jimmie Guthrie and Steve Hislop exhibitions make us a motorcyclists’ Mecca.
Nature displays and bygones of domestic life add variety, while four changing spaces, including the Scott Art Gallery, allow a lively series of art and museum exhibitions throughout the year.
The museum also houses the town’s hand-painted war memorial inscriptions. Hawick Museum was founded in 1856 and has been in its present home, Wilton Lodge, since 1911.
Wilton Lodge is an 18th century mansion house, enlarged in the Victorian era then thoughtfully redesigned as the town’s museum by Hawick Town Council after they purchased the building along with its surrounding grounds, now Wilton Lodge Park.
Burntisland Museum
Part of Burntislands library, step back in time with our family friendly permanent exhibitions.
From an Edwardian fairground to Local History Gallery. The past is brought to life in our family-friendly free exhibitions.
Buckhaven Museum
Buckhaven’s industrial and social past is celebrated in this local museum. Chart its past from fishing village to mining town in the ‘Working Lives’ permament display. And where did the locals get the day’s catch ready for dinner? Explore our replica 1920s kitchen to find out how much cooking habits have changed over the past century.
Read MoreGlasgow Museums: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Museum opened in 1901 and is a firm favourite with local people and visitors. It has stunning architecture and a family friendly atmosphere.
Explore our 22 galleries and discover everything from art to animals, Ancient Egypt to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and so much more. We also have a changing programme of temporary exhibitions and displays.
Enjoy an organ recital, a free tour or at weekends and holidays take part in one of our family activities.
If you only have one day in Glasgow, Kelvingrove is a must see!
Read MoreBanchory Museum
Visit Banchory museum, the gateway to Royal Deeside and learn about the history of Banchory and its most famous son, musician and composer, J. Scott Skinner, the “Strathspey King”.
In our collection you will see:
- Aberdeenshire archaeology
- Deeside natural history
- Displays of local culture and traditions
We can also help with genealogy and local history queries and over the winter provide an information point for both visitors and locals.
Read MoreGlasgow Museums: The Peopleʼs Palace
The People’s Palace is set in historic Glasgow Green. It is home to a collection of objects, photographs, prints and film which give a unique view into how Glaswegians lived, worked and played in years gone by to the present day.
The Winter Gardens are set to the side of the People’s Palace where you can wander among the exotic palms and plants or enjoy a coffee or lunch at the café. Outside, you can admire the restored Doulton Fountain and relax in the beautiful surroundings of Glasgow Green, Glasgow’s oldest public outdoor space.
Read MorePollok House
The National Trust for Scotland is the independent charity that protects and shares some of our country’s most precious historic places and natural landscapes on behalf of the people of Scotland.
With over 360,000 members we are the largest membership organisation in Scotland.
Since 1931, we have pioneered public access to and shared ownership of some of the most magnificent buildings, collections and habitats in Scotland. We care for ancient houses, battlefields, castles, mills, gardens, coastlines, islands, mountain ranges and all the communities, plants and animals which depend upon them.
Culzean Castle, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Glencoe National Nature Reserve, St Kilda, Mar Lodge National Nature Reserve, Culloden, Bannockburn and Ben Lomond are among the jewels that are familiar to anyone who has ever lived in or visited Scotland. These places mean so much to so many people. From the simple fun and happiness of taking the kids around a beautiful country park, the exhilaration of being alone with only the sounds of the sea and the birds, the quiet contemplation of great historical events to experiencing simple insights into the daily routines of lives once lived.
Together, the places and objects in our care tell the stories of Scotland and the Scots; how our people travelled and interacted with the wider world, taking with them their energy and values and returning with new ideas and treasures. Without our involvement many of these places and things would have been lost forever to the damage caused by time, tide, climate, voracious pests and developers.
The words ‘conservation charity’ simply cannot do justice to the range of skills and experiences that our volunteers and staff bring to bear each day. Our 88 visited properties, hundreds of thousands of artefacts, acres of countryside and gardens are brought to vivid life by armies of volunteers and staff doing everything from guiding visitors to thatching cottages and building footpaths.
