Biggar & Upper Clydesdale Museum

03/09/2026

THOMAS ORD EQUESTRIAN

The Museum is delighted to advise that we have secured a donation from Stuart McMillan, author of Thomas Ord Circus Proprietor, Scotland’s Greatest Equestrian, Founding Father of Pinder's Circus.

Many of you will be unaware of Thomas Ord, the boy who ran away to join the circus and ended up being one of the most famous equestrians and circus owners of his era. He performed several times for Queen Victoria.

Thomas’s home was a house at the corner of Station Road and the Main Street where there is now a garden area. His final resting place is in Biggar Cemetery beside his wife and family.

Stuart has donated many years of research about Thomas Ord and the Pinder circus and a most amazing, embroidered waistcoat and spurs that were worn by Ord.

To commemorate the donation the Museum has a limited stock of the book for sale at £12 each.

A link to the Ord story can be found in the Museum blogs https://www.biggarmuseumtrust.co.uk/thomas-ord-1779-1859/

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27/08/2026

We have recently discovered that Robert Gemmell Hutchison's Biggar Kirk painting was presented to the Bazaar held in September 1888 to raise funds for the completion of the Jubilee Fountain. Gemmell Hutchison presented this himself on one of his many visits to Biggar. The Kirk painting and the fountain cherubs are now part of Biggar Museum's Collection, and were both recently displayed in the Museum's Treasures from the Attic exhibition. It shows that there is always more to be discovered about the items in our collection, even after all of these years.

Gemmell Hutchison’s connection to Biggar comes from his wife, Janet Boe. Whilst
Janet herself was born in Edinburgh; her family were local to Biggar. It was Janet’s
aunt, Susan Weir, married to farmer Thomas Penman, that the family would often go to visit Symington to escape the city life. Indeed, Gemmell Hutchison seemed to be most inspired in the countryside and for 17 years opted to live at Braidwood in South Lanarkshire for part of the year before heading back to Edinburgh in preparation for the Royal Scottish Academy exhibition each February.

You may also notice a certain Thomas Blackwood Murray is mentioned in the news article, as he was also present at the Bazaar with some electric machines on display.

News clipping - "Bazaar." Hamilton Advertiser. Saturday, 15 September 1888. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

21/08/2026

Biggar Museum's vast archive holds much more than we could ever possibly display.

One such item is this magazine from 1926 which covers fashion, stories, knitting patterns and even Swiss Rolls.

19/08/2026

Biggar Science Festival will be utilising our gallery space to exhibit photography from science in the everyday.

Please see below for information.

EXCITING NEWS!
We are launching two fresh, creative competitions for the Biggar Science Festival 2026! Whether your passion lies in inventing the future or capturing the hidden beauty of the everyday world through a camera lens, there’s a stage waiting for your talent in our exhibition.
🔬 FOR SCHOOLS: "Inventions for the Future" Showcase Calling all young innovators! From Primary 1 right through to S6, pupils are invited to design or build a brand-new invention that solves a real-world problem or helps build a greener future.
🏆 Prizes: Winners in each category win book tokens, and the overall winner's class gets an exclusive classroom visit from an expert scientist!
🎒 How to enter: Keep an eye on school bags! Entry forms and full submission guidelines will be coming home with pupils shortly (if you don’t receive any information please email [email protected])
This competition is for the Biggar learning community only - drop us an email if you aren't sure!

📷 FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY: "Science in Everyday Life" Photography Competition Science isn't just in a lab—it’s in the frost on your morning window, the physics of a splashing rain droplet, the chemistry of baking, and the biology in your back garden! Open to everyone across three age categories (Under 12s, 12–18, and Adults 19+).
🖼️ The Highlight: Shortlisted photos will be printed, framed, and displayed at the Biggar Museum Gallery this September, with visitors voting for the People's Choice Award during festival week!
📩 How to enter: Grab your phone or camera, take a high-res photo showing everyday science, add a title with a 1–2 sentence caption, and email it to [email protected] with your name and age category

✨ Both competitions are 100% FREE to enter. We can’t wait to fill the Biggar museum gallery with your incredible creativity, big ideas, and sharp eyes!

📅 Submission Deadlines:
Photography: 2nd September, 5pm via email
School Inventions: 1st September end of school day via school drop-off

Tag a neighbour, camera enthusiast, or creative parent below, and get inventing! 🧪✨

16/08/2026

The Renaissance of the Burrell - A 5-year Refurbishment and Redisplay Project

The Friends of Biggar Museum would like to invite you to a talk on the history of the Burrell, the problems which had developed by 2016 and the changes made, with reference to areas of the collection.

Duncan, originally a local lad from a farm at Braehead, did a degree in Agriculture then taught in agricultural colleges for 16 years. He joined the National Museums of Scotland, as a General Manager, part of the team which delivered the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride. He then moved to Glasgow Museums in 2013 and as Head of Glasgow Museums, he led the museum team which developed and delivered the refurbishment of the Burrell. Now, Duncan is the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Museums Galleries Scotland.

Thursday 27th August 2026 at Biggar Museum.
Tickets are £10 and should be bought in advance from the Museum.

15/08/2026

A lovely addition our talk today is this magnificent Albion . Featuring Malcolm Fleming posing at the front.
Talk starts at 5.30. Memories of Albion talk by Brian Lambie.

15/08/2026

Victory in Japan commemoration 81 years ago today. 15th August, 1945 in UK.
Remembering our young lads from Biggar who did not come home. They lost their lives in the Japanese conflict. All are listed on the War Memorial in Biggar. Further informationon about them is available in the museum.

12/08/2026

The Renaissance of the Burrell - A 5-year Refurbishment and Redisplay Project

The Friends of Biggar Museum would like to invite you to a talk on the history of the Burrell, the problems which had developed by 2016 and the changes made, with reference to areas of the collection.

Duncan, originally a local lad from a farm at Braehead, did a degree in Agriculture then taught in agricultural colleges for 16 yrs. He joined the National Museums of Scotland, as a General Manager, part of the team which delivered the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride. He then moved to Glasgow Museums in 2013 and as Head of Glasgow Museums, he led the museum team which developed and delivered the refurbishment of the Burrell. Now, Duncan is the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Museums Galleries Scotland.

Thursday 27th August 2026 at Biggar Museum.
Tickets are £10 and should be bought in advance from the Museum.

12/08/2026

Albion Motors Screening

After a successful screening a few weeks ago, the Museum will once again be showing Brian Lambie’s 2011 lecture on Albion Motors, just in time for the 51st Biggar Vintage Rally weekend..

Tickets £6.16 (reduced VAT) Spaces are limited so please pop into the Museum or email [email protected] to reserve a seat.

Doors open 5pm for a 5:30pm start. Images from the Rally to Traquair 2026 and the Albion show 2025 will be on display. The film is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes long.

Photo is of an Albion Dog Cart on long-term loan to Biggar Museum from National Museums Scotland.

08/08/2026

Gladstone Court then and now.

The Museum itself has a fascinating history, once spanning three different Museums and two store areas. Gladstone Court Museum, which was situated on North Back Road, opened to the public in 1968. The Museum was home to the well know Victorian streetscape. These were moved to the new premises of 156 High Street in 2015 when Biggar & Upper Clydesdale Museum found its new home.

We often get many visitors asking about our previous home and share memories of their visits over the years.