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Scottish Collections In Smaller Museums To Benefit From Recognition Scheme
By Caroline Lewis
26/06/2007
Image: photo of a coastline with a lighthouse
Courtesy the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.
Lighthouses, avant-garde art, fishing boats and historical musical instruments are among the collection items that will benefit from a new scheme launched by the Scottish Museums Council.
The Recognition Scheme aims to give greater prominence to significant collections that lie outside the country’s national museums, promoting and investing in them to ensure they are cared for and made more accessible.
Ten collections in museums and galleries across the nation have so far been identified for extra attention announced the Scottish Minister for Culture, Linda Fabiani, at a ceremony at the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery in Glasgow on June 25.
Image: photo of a woman with a metal plaque engraved with the letter R and the word recognised
Linda Fabiani, Scottish Minister for Culture, with the Recognised plaque. Courtesy Scottish Museums Council.
“This is a landmark occasion for Scotland’s museums and galleries and the wonderful collections they display,” said the Minister. “These ten collections are not only significant to the communities in which they are located but to Scotland as a whole.”
“I am glad to support this Recognition Scheme and look forward to seeing increased public access to these collections of national significance.”
Image: photo of a sign painted on the side of a wooden boat pointing to a museum entrance
Courtesy The Scottish Fisheries Museum.
Among the recognised collections, held by local authorities, universities and independent trusts, are examples of industrial heritage, literary treasures and scientific innovation.
The collection of the Hunterian in Glasgow – the first public museum in Scotland – was recognised for its comprehensive nature and the insights it gives into the Scottish Enlightenment. And it will come as little surprise that the foremost collection relating to national hero Robert Burns has been given recognised status. The collection formed by the Burns Monument Trust can be seen at Burns Cottage Museum, Alloway.
The harbour-front Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther, gained a place on the list of ten for its collection recording the development of the fishing industry (both technological and social aspects).
“We are delighted with the award of National Recognition status,” said Simon Hayhow, Director of the Museum. “Our collections are very varied – from 19 full-sized boats to over 1,000 items of costume, from many personal domestic items from fishing communities to over 12,000 pieces of fishing equipment and gear.”
Image: photo of a sculpture of a human figure with an arched back within a museum gallery
Courtesy Surgeon's Hall Museum.
Model ships crafted by lighthouse keepers and huge Victorian brass and glass lenses feature in the collection cared for by the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Fraserburgh, also recognised in the scheme. Located in the grounds of the first lighthouse built by the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1786, the Museum was opened in 1995, shortly after the era of manned lighthouses in Scotland came to an end.
Scotland’s seafaring heritage was again honoured with recognised status being given to the Scottish Maritime Museum’s collection, where A-listed structures include the Linthouse Engine Shed and the Denny Experimental Ship Model test tank.
More industrial heritage is celebrated by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society, whose core collection at the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway has been recognised. The Society has been collecting items from locomotives to tickets for more than 40 years, with its earliest pieces dating back to 1830.
Image: photo of lutes in a glass case
Courtesy University of Edinburgh.
A collection of modernist art in Stromness, including works by Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth, was recognised. The Pier Arts Centre was established with author and peace activist Margaret Gardiner’s donation of British fine art ‘to be held in trust for Orkney’ in 1979. It now illustrates the modernist movement from 1929 to the present day, and the gallery is to reopen in July following a £4.5million refurbishment.
Surgeon’s Hall Museum, Edinburgh, was recognised as the most significant single repository of medical collections in Scotland, while the 3,000 items in the University of Edinburgh’s collection of Historical Musical Instruments were also recognised for their breadth and depth. Items from latter are presented to the public at St Cecilia’s Hall Museum and Reid Concert Hall Museum.
Material culture dating back 8,000 years is held by Dumfries and Galloway Museum Service, whose archaeological collection has been recognised. The region’s rich and varied past is depicted in the collection, through Bronze Age axes, Iron Age boats, Roman altars and medieval pottery.
Image: photo of a statue in a hall with tall arched windows
Courtesy the Hunterian Museum and Gallery.
All the holders of the recognised collections will receive plaques and certificates, and may bid for a share of £1 million earmarked for improvement projects under the Scheme.
“To achieve Recognition status, the applicants had to demonstrate the uniqueness, authenticity, comprehensiveness, and national value of their collection,” explained Douglas Connell, Chair of the Recognition Committee.
“This first round announcement highlights the wonderful diversity of Scotland’s collections and we are confident the scheme is recognising the best the country has to offer.”
Two more rounds in the Recognition Scheme, overseen by the Committee, are to take place. Round Two is open now, while Round Three will commence in December.
“The Recognition Scheme will contribute greatly to raising standards in collections care, management and public service delivery to the benefit of future museum audiences at home and from abroad,” said Joanne Orr, CEO of the Scottish Museums Council.
The Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery
University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Strathclyde, Scotland
T: 0141 330 4221
Open: Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm
For group visits, prior booking is essential to avoid disappointment.
Closed: Closed Sundays and public holidays
Burns Cottage Museum
Burns Cottage, Alloway, KA7 4PY, Ayr, Scotland
Open: April-October
Daily 0900-1800
November-March
Mon-Fri 1000-1600
Sun 1200-1600
Scottish Fisheries Museum
St. Ayles, Habourhead, Anstruther, KY10 3AB, Fife, Scotland
Open: April-October
Mon-Sat 1000-1730
Sun 1100-1700
November-March
Mon-Sat 1000-1630
Sun 1400-1630
last admissions 1 hour before closing
Closed: Christmas and New Year - contact the museum for details
Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, Kinnaird Head, Fraserburgh, AB43 9DU, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Open: Apr-Jun
Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00
Sun 12.00-17.00
(last entry 16.00)
July-August
Mon-Sat 10.00-18.00
Sun 11.00-18.00
(last entry 17.00)
September & October
Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00
Sun 12.00-17.00
(last entry 16.00)
November-March
Mon-Sat 10.00-16.00
Sun 12.00-16.00
(Last entry 15.00)
Closed: December 25th, 26th and January 1st, 2nd
Scottish Maritime Museum
Laird Forge, Gottries Road, Irvine, KA12 8QE, Scotland, Scotland
Open: 1 April-31 October
Daily 1000-1700
Closed Winter
Groups by appt
Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway
Bo'ness Station, Union Street, Bo'ness, EH51 9AQ, West Lothian, Scotland
Open: April to end October - every Sat., Sun.
July & August - daily.
From 1100 to 17:00.
Closed: Other times by special arrangement
Pier Arts Centre, Orkney
Victoria Street, Stromness, KW16 3AA, Orkney, Scotland
Surgeons' Hall Museums, Edinburgh
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, 18 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DW, Lothian, Scotland
Open: Monday - Friday, noon - 4pm
Summer opening hrs 2008: 1 Aug - 7 Sept, Monday - Friday 10am -4pm, Saturday & Sunday, noon - 4pm
Surgeons' Hall Museums, Edinburgh
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, 18 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DW, Lothian, Scotland
Open: Monday - Friday, noon - 4pm
Summer opening hrs 2008: 1 Aug - 7 Sept, Monday - Friday 10am -4pm, Saturday & Sunday, noon - 4pm
St Cecilia's Hall Museum of Instruments at the University of Edinburgh
St Cecilia's Hall, Niddry Street, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1LJ, Lothian, Scotland
Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments at the University of Edinburgh
Reid Concert Hall, Bristo Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland
Open: The Museum is open to the public twice weekly:
Saturday 10:00 - 13:00
Wednesday 15:00 - 17:00
Except in the weeks of Christmas and New Year
Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura
Dumfries Museum & Camera Obscura, The Observatory, Dumfries, DG2 7SW, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland
Open: April - September Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700
October - March Tues - Sat 1000-1300, 1400-1700
Closed: Christmas & New Year
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