Royal Scots Exhibition opens at Tynecastle Park

The Royal Scots Exhibition at Tynecastle Park 5 – 10 July

Exhibition focusing on the importance of teamworking and sport in the military as part of the Heart of Midlothian FC’s 150th Celebrations 

The Royal Scots Regimental Museum is reaching out from Edinburgh Castle to deliver an exhibition, with particular focus on the importance of teamworking and sport in the military, hosted by Heart of Midlothian FC in the European Suite at Tynecastle Park as part of the Club’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations, from Friday 05 to Wednesday 10 July 2024 (10:00 to 16:30 daily – free admission).

The Museum’s Outreach Exhibition has been curated to engage and connect with people of all ages from throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians, a major part of the Regiment’s former recruiting area, to promote the Regiment’s enduring legacy and commemorate those who never came back, giving their lives for peace.

The exhibition provides a particularly poignant reminder of the supreme sacrifice made by the 1914 Hearts team with their footballers being the first in the UK to enlist to fight for their country at the outbreak of World War 1.  Many of them volunteered to join the 16^th Battalion of The Royal Scots, famously known as McCrae’s Battalion.

The exhibition also covers significant events in Regimental history such as the Gretna rail disaster (1915), the Gallipoli campaign (1915), the Battle of the Somme (where 454 Royal Scots were killed on the 1st of July 1916 alone), the Battle of Kohima (part of the Burma campaign in 1944) and the First Gulf War (1991).

Through the telling of Soldiers’ Stories from 1914 onwards visitors will learn of Royal Scots’ experiences in conflict, fighting for peace. Inspired by Hearts’ continuing dedication never to forget those of their Club who were killed or wounded, the importance of teamwork and sport in the military will be explained.  Some of the items on display have never been seen publicly before. 

A Research Area has been included in the exhibition to enable families to find out more about their relatives who served with The Royal Scots. 

The exhibition hosts and guides are volunteers who served in The Royal Scots and who want to give something back through comradeship, promoting the unique heritage of the Regiment. They are fondly named Pontius Pilate’s Bodyguard.

Lianne Parry, Hearts Head of Heritage, said: “We very much look forward to hosting The Royal Scots Museum. It is wholly appropriate in our Sesquicentennial Year that we should highlight one of the most historically important episodes in Hearts’ long and rich history. 

“We hope that visitors will take advantage of their visit to the stadium, to call in at the Club’s own Museum which will be open throughout.”

Colonel Martin Gibson, representing the Royal Scots Museum’s Outreach Team, commented: “We are determined to reach out and engage with the people of Edinburgh, to tell the story of The Royal Scots from 1914 onwards, and to highlight the very close enduring connection between the Regiment and Hearts FC which began at outbreak of WW1.

“So many men from our capital City served in our Regiment which saw 373 years of unbroken service; it is so important that their achievements and sacrifices are never forgotten.”

Susie Hamilton, Scottish Veterans Commissioner, opened the exhibition yesterday and guests at the launch included Hearts legend John Robertson with club representatives Ann Park, (Director, Community & Partnerships), Lianne Parry (Head of Heritage), Julia McKenzie, (Museums & Collections Specialist) and Mia Weintraub (International Intern).

The Royal Scots were representatived by Colonel Martin Gibson of the Royal Scots Museum’s Outreach Team and former soldiers Apolosi Vanowale (former Fijian rugby international), Andy Stewart (Scotland Water Polo), Andy Gilmour and Tony Reid (Scotland boxer and referee). 

The exhibition runs from Friday 5th – Wednesday 10th July 2024 from 10:00 – 16:30 daily in the European Suite at Tynecastle Park.  Free admission. 

Pictures: Malcolm Ross