Latest news with #NationalMuseumofScotland
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
The museum's on the tram!
The National Museum of Scotland invites you to take the tram around Edinburgh – but particularly the Museum Tram as they have commissioned a wrap both inside and out turning one of the trams into a moving source of facts about the museum. The moving museum will travel through the city for the next two years, introducing passengers to some of the best-loved objects from the National Collection and giving them a taste of what it's like to visit the National Museum of Scotland. Patsy Convery, Head of Marketing and Communications at National Museums Scotland told us about the idea behind the latest marketing venture. She said: 'We have over 25,000 objects on display at the National Museum – and what we really wanted to do was to show the breadth of the treasures that we have in there. We have items here that are from Scottish history, the natural world, from Art and Design, science and technology, and also global cultures. And what we want to do is to inspire people to find out a little bit more about the collection, but also to visit and hear more about the stories that they can tell. 'It's the first museum wrap. But we wanted to do more than just wrap the tram – we wanted it to be an experience in itself, and that's why we're inviting people to step inside as though they're visiting the museum up on Chamber Street' Sarah Singh, Head of Service Delivery at Edinburgh Trams, said: 'We're delighted to have the National Museum of Scotland represented on one of our trams for the next two years. The museum offers an incredible space for exploring Scotland's history and place in the world in a meaningful way, and we're proud to offer some small extension of that. Look out for a 3,000-year-old toy mouse and a Saltire which has been to space – some of our favourite additions to the design!' A short walk from the Princes Street tram stop, the National Museum of Scotland attracts over 2.3 million visitors each year. It is Scotland's most-visited attraction and the most popular museum in the UK outside London. The museum is currently staging the world's biggest exhibition of primate behaviour, Monkeys: Our Primate Family and hosts a programme of seasonal events and activities. Mary Queen of Scots and a not so friendly companion Members of Museum staff are very happy with the new tram Credit Duncan McGlynn The unlikely sight of a Roman centurion driving a tram… Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I went to the National Museum of Scotland's new show, and found my spirit animal
© Phil Wilkinson There are 50 species to meet at the primate exhibit Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... I don't think my other half likes it when I say he resembles a proboscis monkey. It's not so much the nose, I tell him. The similarity is in the small round beady eyes, and the aerodynamic forehead. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I recognise the similarities even more, when this organ grinder takes her plus one to Monkeys: Our Primate Family at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. This lovely exhibition is on until November 30, 2025, and was first shown at the venue in 2016, before touring internationally, with 500,000 visitors from six countries viewing the show. It seems that people really love monkeys. They are, after all, our closest relatives. Well, the hominidae - including chimpanzees and bonobos - are. The others are more distant, like the second cousin you send a card to every second Christmas. However, I didn't ever realise how many species there are. Apparently, over 260, with 50, from chimpanzees to lemurs, featured in the taxidermy dioramas in this exhibition. They are frozen eternally - being bewildered by a snake, hanging upside down, swinging from a rope, carrying a multitude of cartoony-looking cheeky babies on their back or, ahem, mating. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad (If I ever get taxidermied or even plastinated, in a Gunther Von Hagens style, please, give me a dignified and flattering pose, in the style of the mannequins in the fashion gallery downstairs). I bet when they come to life at night, like all things in a museum do, it must be a wild party here. Whatever species or stance, they're easy to anthropomorphise. I can practically hear a Desmond Morris voiceover in my ear, as I go from case to case, with the sounds of the jungle twinkling in the background. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The bearded emperor tamarin sounds like Hulk Hogan, but the beautiful orang-utan has a soft Scottish accent. Of course it does. Either that or it's saying 'I hate that duck', like Keith Harris's horrible puppet, Cuddles the Monkey, from the Eighties. Just because it has wispy red hair, don't attribute it with a Trump voice. That's SSPCA-level animal cruelty. Personally, while wandering around the show, I feel an affinity with the howler monkeys, who screech from the treetops, in an angsty Munch-like mouth-agog fashion. That must be very therapeutic. However, it's only the emotional boys who do that, while I suppose the girls just silently internalise their feelings. Seems familiar. Although I don't spot any in this show, I would most want to be a snow monkey. I could happily chill in an onsen all day, until my fur was saturated and every louse had been plucked from my silvery Beetlejuice coiffure. I shall jot that down as a reincarnation possibility. Thanks to the exhibition, I also discovered that male squirrel monkeys can't see red, because of a genetic condition that's carried on the X chromosome. It's rumoured that they often go right through the jungle traffic lights, in their tiny cars. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The douroucoulis - otherwise known as night or owl monkeys - are monochromats in that they see no colours at all. There's no need, since they do all their business after dark. Sadly, it means they never make it over the rainbow bridge. My favourite of all is the Bengal slow loris, who has thick fur, the saddest face I've ever seen, and the sort of beautiful spatula-like fingers that would make it an excellent oboe player. Sadly, in common with a lot of the other primates, this is a vulnerable species. It's also the only venomous mammal, as it secretes a noxious oil from a gland, which becomes a venom when mixed with its own saliva. I'm still a fan, and it might be worth the paralysis to give an animated one a sneaky wee tickle behind the ear. At least I would die happy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since I call him a proboscis, I request that my other half judge my primate equivalent, and he generously goes for a velvet monkey, or a galago. However, I know that I don't have their neat and nimble frames, Anne Hathaway eyes and delicate fingers. I'm more like a big-bottomed baboon, stealing food from tourists, pulling wing mirrors off cars and shrieking. However, I am grateful for his kindness, so I will groom him thoroughly tonight. Humans and some primates have plenty more in common, the exhibition tells us, including our opposable thumbs. That means that this digit can rotate to join other fingers, allowing us to grasp objects, make tools and use our hands for social signals. Despite our highly evolved hands, neither species can open plastic soup containers. We all need another few million years of evolution for that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Unless I missed it, I suppose it'd be too silly for the show to pay tribute to our shared love of bananas, though I can't stop thinking about the fruit that unites us. However, I'm happy to see they've gone wild for that in the gift shop , where souvenir merch includes stretchy bananas alongside plushy lemurs and smiling orangutans. I do wonder if it's true that monkeys peel them from the bottom up, rather than from the stalk end. My sister is big on doing it that way, as she thinks monkeys should have the final word. I'm sorry, but I think they're doing it wrong. The stalk is a naturally like the top of a zipper. Could someone get hold of the primate chief of staff and let's cascade the information to all chimps. In our household, we use the human method, and we get through about a dozen a week. I say 'we', when I mean 'he'. I usually am allowed just one, when he swiftly guzzles the rest at the rate of two a day.
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Daily Record
Scottish city attraction crowned 'best in UK' beating iconic London experiences
The "best things to do" in Scotland have been named. The best attractions and experiences in Scotland have been named at the annual Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. One Scottish city attraction was also crowned the best in the UK. On Tuesday, July 22, Tripadvisor announced the winners of the 2025 Travellers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do. The awards highlight the highest rated attractions and experiences based on Tripadvisor reviews. According to Tripadvisor, attractions cover everything from natural wonders to man-made marvels and museums. Topping the list for the UK this year, beating out iconic destinations such as The British Museum and Tower Bridge in London, is the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh. The Royal Yacht Britannia is a five-star and award-winning visitor attraction and hospitality venue permanently berthed in Leith. It was previously the royal yacht of the British monarchy, and was in service between 1954 and 1997. After retiring from royal service, the vessel opened as a tourist attraction. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of royalty as they step aboard to explore the Royal Yacht Britannia for themselves. Highlights of the vessel's five decks include the Engine Room, the Crew's Quarters, and the Sun Lounge—the latter being Queen Elizabeth II 's favourite room. The attraction is also home to the Royal Deck Tearoom, where visitors can enjoy a range of sandwiches, soups, scones, and cakes. Elsewhere, Edinburgh Castle comes in at number five on the UK-wide list of the best attractions. Situated in the heart of the Scottish capital, the castle has dominated the city's skyline for hundreds of years. Highlights of Edinburgh Castle include its Great Hall, St Margaret's Chapel, and the One o'clock Gun. Among the other standouts are the Prisons of War and The Queen's Embroideries. Following behind at number 10 on the list of the top 10 attractions in the UK is the National Museum of Scotland. Also located in Edinburgh, the museum is one of the most visited attractions in the nation. The National Museum of Scotland features thousands of objects across a number of galleries all under one roof. From science and technology to art and design, the attraction offers a world of discovery. Meanwhile, Scottish experiences also feature on Tripadvisor's list of the top 10 experiences in the UK. The highest placing is the Guided Walking Tour at Edinburgh Castle. Visitors will follow their guide through the grounds of Edinburgh Castle and hear tales of the its royal residents, including Mary Queen of Scots. After the tour ends, there is free time to explore the castle's interior and the rest of the grounds. Following behind at number five on the list is the Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh. The tour will take sightseers across the Scottish capital to see locations that inspired the iconic series and served as filming locations for the movies based on them. Elsewhere, The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh places at number eight on Tripadvisor's list of the top 10 experiences in the UK. The unique chocolate-making experience allows visitors to make their own Scottish-themed chocolate, before heading to a tasting room to sample a wide range of chocolates from both Scottish and international chocolatiers. The final Scottish experience to be named among the top 10 in the UK is the Full-Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands from Edinburgh experience. The coach tour sets off from Edinburgh, before taking in iconic beauty spots such as Glencoe, Callander, Pitlochry, Loch Ness, and more. Tripadvisor President Kristen Dalton commented: "With such a huge selection of travel activities and excursions available on the platform, Tripadvisor helps travelers find the experiences that turn a trip into a lifelong memory. "Whether you crave adrenaline or prefer to take things slow, 'The Best of the Best Things to Do' showcases the world's top-rated experiences." See below for the full list of the best attractions and experiences in the UK. More information can be found on the Tripadvisor website. Top 10 attractions in the UK Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Bodleian Library, Oxford Highgate Cemetery, London The British Museum, London Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Tower Bridge, London The Roman Baths, Bath National Maritime Museum, London Natural History Museum, London National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Top 10 experiences in the UK London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, London Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket, Edinburgh The Manchester City Stadium Tour, Manchester Canoe Aqueduct tours Llangollen, Froncysyllte, Wales Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour, Edinburgh St. Nicholas Market and Air Raid Shelter Walking Tour, Bristol Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Day Trip from London, London The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Chelsea FC Stadium Tours and Museum, London
Daily Record
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Six Scottish indoor summer weekend days out for the whole family as rain forecast
From water parks to science centres and museums. This summer in Scotland has been very unpredictable so far. The country has seen both scorching temperatures and heavy showers in recent weeks. Unfortunately, as reported by the Daily Record, more wet weather is on the way over the coming days. However, rain shouldn't stop you from making the most of summer. Most popular activities over the warmer months involve soaking up some sun. However, there is still plenty of fun to be had indoors for all ages. The Daily Record has rounded up six days out in Scotland perfect for rainy weather. We have included everything from water parks and science centres for young ones to an iconic whisky distillery perfect for parents. 1. The Time Capsule, Coatbridge The beloved indoor water park The Time Capsule is set to finally reopen on July 19 after closing back in March for essential upgrade works. According to North Lanarkshire Council, the renovations are the "most significant upgrade" to The Time Capsule in more than 30 years. Among the additions to the park are colour-changing underwater lights and brand new pumps and blowers to enhance its waterfalls. Other improvements include new soft rubber flooring and updated showers. More information can be found on the . 2. Deep Sea World, North Queensferry Deep Sea World is an aquarium situated in the village of North Queensferry, a short drive out of Edinburgh. Among the attraction's standout features is its underwater moving walkway, which holds the record as the longest in Europe. Meanwhile, Deep Sea World is home to countless fish, shark, amphibian, and invertebrate species. Visitors will be able to spot tiger sharks, pufferfish, stingrays, clown fish, and much more. More information can be found on the Deep Sea World website. 3. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh There is a reason why the National Museum of Scotland is one of the UK's most popular attractions outside of London. The free museum is jam-packed with incredible interactive exhibits that cover everything from dinosaurs to fashion. One of the top exhibits at the National Museum of Scotland is Dolly the Sheep, who was the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell. Elsewhere, other highlights of the museum include the mysterious Arthur's Seat Coffins and the Ancient Egyptian exhibitions. More information can be found on the National Museum of Scotland website. 4. Talisker Distillery, Isle of Skye Talisker is one of Scotland's most iconic distilleries, and a fascinating visitor attraction in its own right. If you are a whisky lover, there is no better time than a rainy afternoon to head on a distillery tour led by a knowledgeable expert. Talisker's classic tour is an hour in length, and takes guests through its history, flavour, and production processes. It ends with three dram tastings for the adults of the distillery's award-winning single malts. More information can be found on the Talisker Distillery website. 5. The Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels Tucked away in the Borders town of Galashiels is one of Scotland's most unique attractions—and one of the biggest community arts projects in the world. The Great Tapestry of Scotland was hand-stitched by approximately 1,000 people across the country, and is made up of 300 miles of wool. The tapestry itself details the history of Scotland, from its formation millions of years ago right up to the present day. The building also houses a gift shop and a café, as well as a gallery for other visiting exhibits. More information can be found on The Great Tapestry of Scotland website. 6. Aberdeen Science Centre, Aberdeen Aberdeen Science Centre offers the perfect day out for visitors both young and old. In total, there are more than 65 interactive exhibits to check out—detailing how science shapes our world. One standout of the Aberdeen Science Centre is RoboThespian, who is a friendly and knowledgeable robot. Another is the OPITO Theatre of Energy, which provides visitors with three entertaining and educational immersive experiences.
NZ Herald
17-07-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
New Zealand Wars: Unmarked grave of NZ Cross winner Captain Angus Smith in Ōpōtiki prompts call for memorial
What we do know is that Captain Smith won one of just 23 New Zealand Crosses awarded between 1856 and 1899, at which time New Zealand's top military medal was replaced by the Victoria Cross. These medals went to Māori and Pākehā who served in the New Zealand colonial forces during the New Zealand Wars, making the award one of the rarest military honours in the world. Captain Smith's medal is on display in the National Museum of Scotland. Nicol has lobbied for many years to have the names of war heroes from the East Coast etched on to war memorials and gravestones, his efforts gaining recognition for servicemen from World Wars I and II, Vietnam and Malaysia. 'To me, it is unacceptable that Smith, the first from this area to win the country's highest major military award at the time, does not have a marker on his grave,' he said. 'We have produced more war heroes from this part of the North Island than any other place in New Zealand – including Victoria Cross, George Cross and Distinguished Service Decoration winners. 'We should look after every one of them.' A Taranaki Herald description of Angus Smith said he was 'the beau ideal of an old cavalry officer, and personally was a fine-looking man'. Captain Smith's claim to fame is for his part in a bloody clash with Te Kooti's men when he was a young cavalry officer serving as a 'Cornet', the most junior officer rank of the day. He was in command of a unit ambushed on June 7, 1869, at a deserted Māori settlement at Ōpepe, on the shores of Lake Taupō. Colonel St John had set out with an escort of 14 men to select locations for the construction of redoubts and depots. After reaching Ōpepe, the abandoned kāinga of the chief Tahau overlooking Lake Taupō, the colonel decided it was a good location for a fort. St John left his men there and moved on without instructing the men to mount a guard. He said: 'You're as safe here as in the centre of London, safe as a church.' Not expecting any trouble, they piled their rifles and occupied three whare. The men shot some pigeons, killed some wandering sheep and washed their clothes. In the afternoon, they rested with their saddles and equipment stowed in a separate hut. Rain was falling, but one soldier, George Creswell, set off to look for a stray horse and returned later wet through. He took all his clothes off to dry them. Little did they know that an advance guard of Te Kooti's warriors, led by Te Rangi Tahau, was close by as they moved from Poverty Bay to the King Country. The Find a Grave Website says Captain Angus Smith lies in front of these two graves in Ōpōtiki Cemetery. Some say this group had been summoned by a spy among the colonials who had earlier lit mysterious signal fires. In any case, the 14 cavalrymen were suddenly surprised. Three Māori entered the camp armed with rifles. Not one of the troopers was armed, and when they tried to flee, the Māori opened fire. Creswell later said: 'There were a great many shots. I only had time for a hasty glance about me when I realised we were trapped. The place was full of Māori.' Stark naked, he made a run for it, managing to escape along with his comrade George Stevenson. Thinking they were the only two survivors, they made the 55km trek to Fort Galatea. Major John Roberts. The raiders killed nine members of the attachment outright, shooting down several who made a run for the bush. The marauding Māori collected 14 carbines, 14 revolvers, 14 swords, 14 saddles, 13 horses and 280 rounds of ammunition. This kit helped Te Kooti equip his 200 cavalrymen as they made their way to the King Country. A report in the Taranaki Herald said Captain Smith searched for the tracks of Colonel St John, but the rebels caught him on the road. The rebels stripped off his clothes and medals. They tied him to a tree and abandoned him to a slow death from thirst and starvation. Captain Smith remained there four days before managing to release himself, then headed north-south-west towards Fort Galatea. One report says he crawled to a stream and managed to drink on the seventh day, arriving at the fort with frostbite 10 days after the ambush. Did Smith deserve his medal? An account of the incident in the Taranaki Herald describes how the New Zealand Cross was bestowed on Angus Smith for bravery and endurance. Following his remarkable escape, the soldier was also promoted to Captain. The Imperial Government reissued the Crimean and Turkish medals Te Kooti's men stole from him. However, recriminations were swift. While the writer of the Taranaki Herald account gushed that Captain Smith was 'the beau ideal of an old cavalry officer, and personally was a fine-looking man', Captain Smith's fellow NZ Cross recipients saw things differently. The panel that opposed Captain Smith getting the NZ Cross included three who could perhaps be described as 'Land Wars heavyweights'. Major John Roberts, Captain Gilbert Mair and Captain George Preece were awarded their New Zealand Cross medals for bravery in combat. Interestingly, Captains Preece and Mair had considerable expertise in Māori language and culture. Both formed close relationships with Te Arawa, whose warriors they led in many skirmishes with Te Kooti's men. Major Roberts was active in the Taranaki wars under Gustavus von Tempsky, ahead of moving to Poverty Bay to confront Te Kooti, though he eventually handed pursuit of the rebel chief over to Mair and Preece. Captain George Preece. All three made it clear that, in their view, handing a NZ Cross to Captain Smith was a gross misuse of an honour reserved for valour, pointing out that he would normally expect to be court-martialled for dereliction of duty in failing to post sentries. As well as the loss of life in the colonial personnel at Ōpepe, Te Kooti's reward from the massacre was the trove of arms and ammunition he captured there. These were later used during his rampage across the North Island. Historians have argued over this, concluding that while Captain Smith did deserve to be censured, the bulk of the culpability had to lie with Colonel St John, who had known Te Kooti intended to march to Taupō. Though Captain Smith's medal was primarily for endurance rather than valour, none of his critics accused him of being a coward. Ahead of the fateful incident at Ōpepe, Captain Smith, who died in 1902, saw combat at Maukau, Te Ranga and Waireka. Before coming to New Zealand, he had served with the 93rd (Sutherland Highlanders) Regiment in the Crimean War. These soldiers were legendary. At the Battle of Balaclava in 1854, they formed the famous 'Thin Red Line', repelling a Russian cavalry charge with a formation of soldiers just two-deep, instead of the required four-deep formation. Captain Gilbert Mair. Colonel St John's career seemed to have survived his terrible advice to the soldiers at Ōpepe, because he turns up in a later newspaper report being praised by the writer for his fairness in overseeing balloting of land to soldiers after the wars. Years later in Ōpōtiki, George Creswell was talking to Māori who said: 'We could have got you that day George, when you were looking for your horse, but we didn't want to alarm your camp.'
