Wednesday 12 August 2015

Holiday Interlude: National War Museum, Scotland


One of the places I visited on my recent holiday in Northumbria was the Scottish National War Museum, located within Edinburgh Castle. This has been by first visit to Edinburgh in about ten years, and I’m at a loss to explain why I’ve stayed away as long.



The museum is absolutely excellent. The displays are well lit, carefully labelled and take the visitor through the proud and long tradition of Scottish soldering from the 17th Century to the present day. There are several very well-known items, including the iconic painting of the Thin Red Line at Balaclava, accompanied by a host of military weaponry, uniforms and paraphernalia.

I loved the 17th century material, much of which I’d not seen at first hand, including a copy of Sir James Turner’s Pallas Armata


The collection of swords and pistols, including several Highland “dags”, was wonderful  ... 





... as were the displays of Scottish 19th century uniforms, which became steadily more eccentric in Queen Victoria’s “Balmoral” phase.




Of direct relevance to painting Highlanders from the Great War was a set of uniforms and kit from a Highland regiment (in which the webbing looked a lot more green than I had expected).  Does that mean I should start repainting ?  Oh, Lordy....




The selection of field surgical cases from South Africa in the Second Boer War was remarkable, as was coming face to face with the portrait of Piper George Findlater, awarded the Victoria Cross in Afghanistan for piping his battalion forward despite being wounded several times.



Here’s some more photos, which say much more than I ever could.














I visited with my wife and two children (12 and 8). There’s more than enough for a wargaming or historically minded visitor to spend three or four hours, but also enough to keep my kids and Mrs Roundwood happy for a good couple of hours. The remainder of Edinburgh Castle (including the Scottish Hall of Remembrance) is an excellent day out. I certainly recommend that the National War Museum is firmly on the list for any visit to Edinburgh.

22 comments:

  1. Wonderful museum photos. I did not realize that Gibb's painting was on display at Edinburgh Castle. That would be a sight to see.

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    1. Thanks Jonathan. Robert Gibbs' "The Thin Red Line" is an ENORMOUS canvas....it really does dwarf the side of the room it hangs in. And it was drawing a very large crowd - not bad for an 1881 canvas of a military scene. There's a great power in the painting - all late 19th Century realism (and a bit of legend), I know, but its an inspiring sight. Hope you get to see it one day!

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  2. Many thanks for sharing those excellent pictures and introducing the museum. If I ever make it to Edinburgh it gets a top place on the watch list.

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    1. Stefan, you'd love to visit. You'd have a blast. It really was very good.

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  3. Classy displays. The weapons are particularly well preserved.

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    1. Thanks Dean. It's a very well curated museum. One of the curators, Dr. Allen, appears regularly on historical TV programmes and is extremely knowledgeable, but also has a gift for explaining things. The museum is so well laid out, and well explained, it was a pleasure visiting. Even though there's a lot of "exhibits in glass cases" (as opposed to things you can touch, the kids and Mrs Roundwood still really enjoyed it.

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  4. This will be added to my list of places to visit.

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  5. It looks great! Thanks for the recommendation.

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  6. Reminds I have not visited for a while., I must change that ..thanks

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    1. I can imagine its a place you would really enjoy visiting, Dave!

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  7. Thanks for sharing Sidney, I have done a few city breaks but not Edinburgh yet. Always a bonus if you can include something like this into a family day out.

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    1. Pat, you'd really enjoy Edinburgh. The flight up form the South East takes no time at all. A very good venue with the family.

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  8. Very nice museum indeed, visited it some 15 years ago, got to get back;)

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    1. I'd not been to the castle for a long time, over 15 years in fact. I was impressed by how much better laid out everything was. So, if you get the chance, you should definitely go, Michael!

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  9. I'd love to have anything like this even remotely within traveling distance. Thank you so much for sharing, at least I can enjoy your wonderful pics. ;-)

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    1. Jason, you are very welcome indeed. I feel the same way about every visiting Little Big Horn, or the Shenandoah Valley - but one day!

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  10. As you say, a wonderful day out. Thanks so much for sharing your trip - I have another destination to add to the bucket list!

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    1. Curt, you'd LOVE the museum - you really would. Well curated, and just tons of interesting stuff. As you can well imagine, it was wonderful to visit, mixed with a little regret that I could not persuade Nicola and the kids to spend the whole day there!

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  11. Fantastic is it not! I was just visiting Scotland this summer and had the chance to visit this excellent museum. Like you said really great displays and something to stir any Scottish military enthusiast.

    Christopher

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    1. I's a great museum, Christopher. So pleased you enjoyed your visit!

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