Tag: Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage

Princess Royal opens Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage

HRH The Princess Royal has officially opened a museum celebrating the remarkable history of Scotland’s firefighting tradition in Edinburgh.

Her Royal Highness is now one of more than 7,200 visitors who have visited the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage since it opened its doors to the public in McDonald Road at the end of June.

The Rt. Hon Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, was one of several dignitaries to greet The Princess Royal. He said: “It was a pleasure to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to the city and the McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station on behalf of the people of Edinburgh.

“To have the opportunity to learn more about the rich history of firefighting in Scotland was also an extremely interesting and proud experience.

“I would like to thank the team at McDonald Road for accommodating us today and pay tribute to our fantastic firefighters, alongside our other emergency services, who make sure we are all kept safe.”

Ross Haggart, Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was at the museum to extend a warm welcome to Princess Anne. He said: “We are deeply honoured to have the opportunity to show Her Royal Highness the fascinating exhibits that chart the remarkable history of our firefighting tradition.

“This special building is home to an array of artefacts dating back almost two hundred years, including fire appliances, uniforms and equipment.

“Next year, our service will be marking the bicentenary of the world’s first municipal fire service founded in Edinburgh by James Braidwood.”

As part of the visit, The Princess Royal was also given a tour of McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station, which has been newly refurbished as an emergency hub building alongside the Scottish Ambulance Service. HRH was greeted by a contingent of firefighters and ambulance crews.

Chair of the Scottish Ambulance Service, Tom Steele, said: “I was delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness to McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station alongside our colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“The museum is a fantastic celebration of the fire service’s history. As well as sharing a number of co-locations with the fire service, including here in Edinburgh, we share a strong history of caring for and improving the lives of the people in Scotland.

“We look forward to many more years of working together to provide life-saving work.”

After watching a demonstration of how firefighters use a high reach appliance, HRH was presented with a posy by Crew Commander Blair Muir, who carefully manoeuvred the vehicle so he could hand deliver the flowers from onboard the appliance.

The Princess Royal spoke with staff and volunteers, including Jim McDonald, a museum volunteer. Mr McDonald said: “It was a truly remarkable and humbling experience to meet Her Royal Highness. Her genuine interest in our exhibits left a lasting impression on all of us.”

At the end of the visit, The Princess Royal officially unveiled commemorative plaques, marking the official opening of the museum.

McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station has undergone renovations and modernisation and last month won a Commendation in the Large Projects and Regeneration/Strategy Award Categories for the 2023 Edinburgh Architectural Awards.

Further information about the museum can be found on the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage website.

One of world’s oldest fire engines moved to new Edinburgh home

ONE of the world’s oldest fire engines has been moved into its new home in Edinburgh’s new Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage.

Dating from 1806 the horse-drawn pump, originally stationed at Duns in the Scottish Borders, takes pride of place alongside four other classic fire appliances spanning more than 100 years of fire and rescue history.

The appliances were moved by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s fleet team, marking a major milestone in the museum’s construction ahead of a summer opening.

All five appliances played a pivotal role in the history of fire and rescue in Scotland and include a 1939 Dennis Limo, previously based at Musselburgh, a 1911 Halley which served with Leith Fire Brigade, an 1824 hand-drawn pump which was used in Edinburgh City and a 1901 Greenwich Gem, first used by the town of Kircaldy in Fife.

All have been lovingly restored and will feature alongside dozens of historic and modern exhibits and artefacts including uniforms and equipment at the museum’s new premises at McDonald Road Community Fire Station.

Kelly McMeekin, Museum Manager, said: “It has been a journey to get to where we are today.

“The appliance installations have made everything feel so real. We are close to opening our doors to the public and our very proud of the work of staff and the amazing volunteers.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a rich and proud heritage which had a profound impact on the evolution of fire and rescue, not only in the UK, but around the world.”

Rounding out the exhibitions are ‘real stories about real people’, interactives and dress up for the entire family with a view to the working fire station’s drill yard.

There has been a museum in Edinburgh dedicated to firefighting in the Lothians since 1968 when it originally opened at McDonald Road Fire Station before moving to its previous location at the old Lauriston Fire Station before closing in 2016.

Dave Farries QFSM, Watch Commander, was a firefighter at McDonald Road and gave tours at the original museum in the 70s.

He commented: “I started working at McDonald Road Fire Station in 1969, as a Junior Fireman seconded to the Brigade Training School, a year after the Station first opened and remember visitors from around the world being given tours of the newly established Museum on the site.

“After years of hard work by our dedicated Volunteers and staff, it is great to see the gleaming appliances being installed and the new museum taking shape back in its original home at McDonald Road.

“We cannot wait to welcome members of the public, the community, firefighters and tourists to the new museum.”

If you would like to be involved the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage is currently recruiting Front of House and Gallery Guide volunteers. You can contact them by email at Heritage@firescotland.gov.uk 

Find out more information about the museum’s development on social media Facebook – Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, Instagram – MuseumScotFire and Twitter – @MuseumScotFire