The permanent exhibition tells the story of Whitburn and its industrial and social past. Coal mining was very important in Whitburn but other industries from hand loom weaving to the manufacture of Levi’s jeans also feature. Aspects of social history from the Baillie family on Polkemmet Estate to the leisure pursuits of miners are also covered.
Museums
Museums
What are they and what do they involve?
Museums are venues with the primary purpose of exhibiting items of interest, often of a historical nature. The exact focus of a museum will vary, but they always offer educational insights into their artefacts and can include extra activities such as workshops and guided tours! Nationally-recognised museums dominate the school trip agenda and often feature amongst the most visited venues in Britain.
Incredibly there are museums for pretty much everything you can think of in the UK - from Prams to Anaesthetic, Radar to Pencils, Locks to Lawnmowers, Mustard to Surfing, Straw to Dog Collars (the canine kind), Teapots to Gas, or Magic to Embroidery. Search our list of venues for topics these fantastic, quirky places feature and you'll be surprised what pops up! It might inspire a new approach to a curriculum topic or a different slant on your locality.
What are the benefits?
A museum can be a highly educational place, especially for those with prior interest in the subjects on display. Taking a student group that have been covering a specific historical event or time period to a relevant museum will enable them to really connect with the subject and create an extra dimension to their education.
What students is it suitable for?
Provided the content of the museum is suitable for the age group, all students can benefit from a trip to a museum!
Costs?
Some museums are free for the public to access but there are some venues that have admission costs due to the specific nature of the exhibit – make sure to thoroughly check out the prices of museums in your area.
Safety Implications?
Museums can be quite large and confusing venues, so make sure your group of students is properly supervised to ensure nobody gets separated from the group!
Accreditations?
There is a national accreditation scheme in operation for museums - find out more HERE about Accredited Museums.
Venues for this Category
An exhibition on the history of Whitburn and its coal mining heritage in particular
The Museums Service cares for the Council's collections, runs museums in the community, a touring exhibition programme, education and reminiscence services
West Lothian Council Museums Service has three stores, a workshop and an office at Connolly House in Blackburn. The role of the service is threefold. First we care for the Council’s collections and record them using manual and computerised systems.
This small museum is the only one in Scotland dedicated to Freemasonry. The collection consists of ceramics, glassware and assorted artefacts relating to Freemasonry as well as the oldest Masonic records in the world, dating from 1598.
An important collection of early keyboard instruments including clavichords, chamber organs and early pianos housed in a restored Georgian concert hall, built in 1762 by Robert Mylne to a unique oval plan. Paintings, textiles and tapestries are also exhibited. Musical events are held throughout the year.
Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments ranks among the world's most important collections of musical heritage. All the main types or musical sound-making device are represented, and are presented to the public in two museums. The c.
Queensferry Museum helps visitors to explore the past and traditions of historic Queensferry and neighbouring Dalmeny.
You can learn about the construction of the Forth Rail and Road Bridges before viewing the real thing through our picture windows that look over the Forth. A telescope helps you to get a closer look at the Bridges and our local wildlife.
Prestongrange is a site of major importance in the story of Scotland’s Industrial Revolution. Visitors can discover the story of the harbour, glass works, pottery, colliery and brickworks. A Cornish Beam Engine is available to visit via a guided tour. The Visitor Centre includes an exhibition area, shop and café.
The People’s Story explores the lives of Edinburgh’s ordinary people at work and play from the late 18th century to today. Visitors can see displays showing a bookbinder’s workshop, a wartime kitchen and much more, all packed with real objects. You can even see a former jail, an original part of this historic building.
Hayle Heritage Centre highlights some significant events in the history of Hayle. There is a permanent core exhibition and a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions and workshops.
Musselburgh Museum offers a fascinating visit for all ages. Discover the history of the Honest Toun from its earliest days, through Roman settlement and medieval upheaval, to its fame as a thriving fishing harbour and valuable industrial site. The museum has a programme of changing displays and exhibitions, so there is always something new to see. There are also activities for children.
The museum, at the Head Office of Scotland’s oldest bank, traces the history of banking and money through the story of the company.
This fascinating museum takes a fresh look at money – and much, much more. Art & design, technology, crime, trade and security – all feature in the story of money. We are open throughout the year and admission is FREE.
The history of the first municipal fire brigade in Europe and fire fighting in Edinburgh between 1824 and the 1940s. Created through the display of fire engines, equipment and uniforms.
The Museum of Edinburgh is the City’s treasure box - a maze of historic rooms crammed full of iconic objects from the Capital’s past.
Find out about the history of Edinburgh from the earliest times to the present day. Discover more about the city, its people, crafts and trades and the beautiful objects they created.
Described as 'the noisiest museum in the world', the Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh is a favourite with adults and children alike. It is a treasure house, crammed full of objects telling of childhood, past and present.
Young people can learn about the children of the past and see a fantastic range of toys and games, while adults enjoy a trip down memory lane.
Using artefacts, illustrations and video and audio presentations, The Linlithgow Story at Annet House Museum tells of the town, its people and trades and its connections with Scotland’s Stewart kings. The peaceful garden has been restored and has fine views across the rooftops to the ruined Linlithgow Palace and St. Michael’s Church.
Numismatics
Welcome to the Hibernian Historical Trust website. Here you can discover information about the Trust, our work and some of our achievements to date. As the site grows, we aim to give visitors the opportunity to view many of the artefacts and memorabilia held by the Trust via our Gallery pages.
Founded in 1982 the Archive, Records Management and Museum Service is part of the Corporate Communications Division. We preserve, manage and provide access to the University’s archive, art and artefact collections. We promote their use by staff, students and the public in research and scholarship; and in displays and exhibitions.
The historic Dunbar Town House, built towards the end of the 16th century, contains what is considered Scotland's oldest functioning Council Chamber.
Spanning a history of more than 400 years, the building has recently been given a 21st century refurbishment and is now open to the public, complete with a brand new museum and gallery exhibition space managed by the Museums Service.
The total holding of the museum exceeds 130,000 specimens and other materials. The last full inventory of all categories of material gave the following numbers of articles:
The former North Berwick Museum was re-opened in July 2013 as the new Coastal Communities Museum. Come and visit our new exhibition of the artist Henry Scott Tuke.
Visit the museum to see and hear stories of old Uphall and Broxburn in our "Strathbrock Stories" display between May and September. We show two temporary exhibitions during the rest of the year.
A community museum housed in the stable block of an old coaching inn. Open during library times, the museum relates the story of Blackridge’s coaching and travelling past. An exhibition on the history of the village with objects donated by local people is regularly shown, interspersed with displays from West Lothian Council’s touring exhibition programme.
The Bennie Museum opened on 20th May 1989 as a museum of Bathgate’s history and life. It is run entirely by Volunteers under the management of a Charitable Trust.
It has been commended by the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions.
A display by the History of Armadale Association with lots of fascinating facts about life, work and leisure in Armadale over the last 200 years and more.
The collection includes comprehensive family archives, a collection of old photographs, audio and video tapes, and material relating to local fishing. A room is dedicated to the Iron Age village at Bostadh.
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