Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage

22/08/2023

We've had firefighters from around the world visit the museum while on holiday. It's always interesting to talk to them about the things we have in common and the different challenges faced due to their location.

17/08/2023

This week Dave Farries QFSM a stalwart, an absolute legend and just an all-around great person retires after 55 years in the service. As a member of the Heritage team, he's used his vast knowledge to help shape and support the team through much change including opening the Museum this year. He's been truly invaluable and will be missed as a colleague. However we're happy that Dave will join us as a volunteer!

09/08/2023

09/08/2023

Our spotter sheet has arrived at the Museum. Can your wee ones spot the mini firefighter helmets in the gallery? Stop by and pick up a sheet to find out.

01/08/2023

We have another post to share this time for a freelance Digital Content Creator for . This person will help us capture the activities and record a workshop to place online. Advert closes on 20 August with the work to commence in October.

We're hiring a freelance Digital Content Creator The Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage is recruiting for a Digital Content Creator to highlight and share our Maths Week Scotland 2023 activity. The Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage is a newly opened museum in Edinburgh. We love to use our collection an...

01/08/2023

We’re recruiting a Freelance Workshop Facilitator to create and deliver our 2023 activities and workshop. This year we will explore how firefighters use the mathematics of water to do their jobs. And we’re hoping that you are the creative person to help bring some excitement to activities. Advert closes on 20 August with work to commence in September.

More information: https://museumofscottishfireheritage.org/were-hiring-a-freelance-workshop-facilitator/

18/07/2023

Join Us! We're recruiting for Volunteers at the Museum to assist in the gallery and reception. Our current volunteers are a mix of local residents, retired firefighters and students. Full training, paid expenses, flexi hrs & no previous volunteering experience required.

Apply here: https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/emergency-services/scottish-fire-and-rescue-service/jobs/heritage-ambassador-museum-volunteer-339213

12/07/2023

We're recruiting Museum Volunteers! Apply today at: https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/emergency-services/scottish-fire-and-rescue-service/jobs/heritage-ambassador-museum-volunteer-339213

06/07/2023

The museum is now open. But what did it take to get there? We mentioned that Kelly and Jim gave a presentation earlier this year on the evolution of the museum's development at the Scottish Museums Federation conference. You can now watch the presentation to find out more about the behind the scenes process.

Drop your comments and questions below 👇

Presented by Kelly McMeekin, Museum Manager, Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service), Jim McDonald, Museum Volunteer, Retired Fir...

04/07/2023

Thanks so much for the lovely blog by a local who visited us this weekend 😀

This past weekend, we went to check out the hottest new museum in town - Edinburgh's Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage 🔥

The museum tells the story of Scottish firefighting from its inception to the present day, with beautiful historic fire engines on display, alongside alongside uniforms, operational equipment, and other memorabilia to tell the history of firefighting and the Fire Service. Touch screens with photos, interviews, and film footage let you delve deeper, and there are a few digital interactives and some dressing up for children too. Admission is free!

Read our full review on the blog ➡️
https://www.thebearandthefox.com/edinburgh-museum-of-scottish-fire-heritage/

01/07/2023

Thanks to everyone that made our opening this week fantastic. It's been so nice to see so many enthusiastic people.

If you've visited and have some kind words to say let the world know by being one of the first to leave a TripAdvisor review:

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.

20/06/2023

Opening Thursday 29 June! After years of hardwork and dedication from both staff and volunteers our doors will be open to the public. 1A Dryden Terrace, EH7 4NB

19/06/2023

We had a wee ghostie in our midst at the weekend during our residents tour. Thanks for visiting!

10/06/2023

If you haven't cast your vote yet, there is still time! James Braidwood, founding father of the fire service is still one of the front runners to become the subject of the next Little People Big Dreams books! Voting closes 13 June.

To celebrate the release of the 100th book in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series, we’re handing the series back to the readers who made it!

26/05/2023

We LOVE our new website, thank you so much Surface Impression! Click through the link below to check it out for yourself.

PROJECT LAUNCH ALERT: To coincide with the opening of their brand new museum, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service commissioned Surface Impression to create a website to represent the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage online.

Working with the museum's new branding, we designed an accessible and engaging website to showcase the events and impressive history behind the fire service in Scotland.

Did you know they hold one of the world’s oldest fire engines – from 1806?

Go and check it out! You are in for a treat!
https://museumofscottishfireheritage.org

Image description: Antique fire engines on a raised display.

15/05/2023

A day at the conference sharing knowledge, experience and letting people know about the museum opening this year.

09/05/2023

View from the office overlooking the Drill Yard. Visitors to the museum will be able to have a look at the ongoing training of the Firefighters, which includes speciality appliances.

04/05/2023

Spotlight on Jim who will be speaking at the upcoming Scottish Museums Federation conference. He served as a firefighter for 30 years and has spent over the past decade as a museum volunteer. His experience and knowledge will help to highlight to the museum sector the importance of lived experiences when telling stories of the past and present.

04/05/2023

On this Thursday the 4th of May, the feast day of the Patron Saint of Firefighters, St Florian, and International Firefighters Day we celebrate the ‘worldwide family’ that we are part of. No matter where you serve and no matter what type of work pattern you have, if you put the ‘blue stuff on the red stuff’ you are part of that ‘family’. Just like any other’ family’ we have our highs and our lows. Highs when we see part of our ‘family’ successfully deal with an incident and lows when see that some of our ‘family’ have paid the ultimate price in the service to their local community.

We pause on this day each year to remember those that went before us and thank them for their efforts, without which we wouldn’t have the conditions, equipment, wages and public respect we enjoy today. We look to the future generations of our ‘family’ to carry on the legacy we have left them and hope like our forebearers we have made things better by our actions.

Special thanks to Dave Farries for providing the words to observe the day.

27/04/2023

We'll be at the Scottish Museums Federation Conference this year in Glasgow. Our Manager Kelly McMeekin will be one of two speakers representing the Museum.

18/04/2023

We love to share images of the process and importantly how we got to where we are today. This is an image of the appliances being unwrapped in the museums. After unwrapping they needed to be reshined, polished and touch up paint was applied to some parts of the appliances. Can you tell which appliance is being unwrapped?

12/04/2023

Our dressing up gear for children is so legit calling them costumes doesn't do it justice. Handmade from high quality material your wee one can have fun pretending to be a firefighter from different eras when exploring the gallery. Don't forget to bring your camera and capture the moment!

02/04/2023

28/03/2023

Today, we mark the 63rd anniversary of the Cheapside Street disaster.

We remembered the nineteen men who lost their lives at a ceremony held at Glasgow's Necropolis. They died fighting a fire at a whisky bond in Glasgow on 28 March 1960.

Read more http://ow.ly/Y98a50NtFWi

24/03/2023

We're happy to have lent object to Fife Folk Museum for their upcoming exhibition "Fife Fire Brigade to Scottish Fire & Rescue Service" opening in April. In addition to the displays, there will be a Firefighter related children’s trail and a dressing up corner for selfies. For more information check out their website: https://www.fifefolkmuseum.org/

02/03/2023

Do you remember a time when the corner of McDonald Rd and Dryden Terrace looked like this?!

This image predates the Fire Station that was built in the late 1960s. That particularly corner has changed even moreso in the past few years with a refurbishment of the station and the Museum having a dedicated entrance on Dryden Terrace.

20/12/2022

Getting ready to begin the final cleans and polishes of all our fire appliances to ensure they are shining bright for public opening next year! Date TBC, please keep an eye on our social media channels for news.

16/11/2022

We are famous! Check us out in this month's Museums Journal where we chat all things MoSFH.

19/10/2022

Its been a busy few weeks for us at MoSFH; we've taken delivery of some fabulous small fire kit for try-ons in the museum gallery, have been organising the last remaining bits of wonderful stock that will be going on sale in our museum shop and celebrated the 70th birthday of our very own WC Farries QFSM, Phew. All of that and we're only halfway through October!

12/08/2022

The outbreak of World War I saw firefighters join the armed forces leaving fire brigades stripped of years of valuable experience and knowledge. Their places were filled by Temporary Firefighters, backed up by Voluntary Firefighters & even Boy Scouts.

Pictured are Edinburgh Boy Scouts used as runners and messengers.

04/08/2022

Today is my view from the office window. Quite busy in the yard! From the large windows in the museum, visitors will be able to view the drills/training yard at McDonald Road Community Fire Station.

06/07/2022

We’ve been a quiet online lately, but behind the scenes so much has been taking place! Read on to learn about our progress.

The website for the museum is being developed by Surface Impression and is close to launching. We’re currently working on finalising content for the site – which takes quite a bit of time if you can imagine!

On the physical museum side. Displays, displays, displays! It has been so interesting to see the site go from an empty shell, to organised chaos to finally seeing the displays coming together. So much work has been done by some incredibly valuable and hardworking Volunteers who spent days cleaning, polishing, organising and transporting the objects now being installed. Hopefully we tell them enough, but they are awesome and priceless members of the team.

Also behind the scenes the team (including wider SFRS staff from several departments) have been working away providing feedback and last-minute edits to the interpretation panels. And the Museum Manager has been pulling all this together! The first panels are now installed by Elmwood Projects Ltd with the remainder of them going in over the next couple of weeks.

To accompany these exhibitions there will be regular guided tours at the museum. Over the past couple of months our Watch Commander has been downloading his knowledge of the fire service and personal experience for the tour script. Only half way through and over 11000 words have been accumulated! With probably another 11000 to go we’re working to make this a 45-minute highlights tour focusing on key points and objects throughout the museum. For those wanting some in-depth history there will opportunities to book speciality tours and talks.

Finally pens, shirts, toys, books and more are being developed and ordered for the gift shop! There will be a range of inexpensive items you can pick up with just a fiver and specialist items meant as keepsakes and gifts for friends and loved ones. Our focus is on stocking items from companies based in Scotland, the UK and Europe.

We can see the end of this journey to open the Museum in sight. And cannot wait to welcome you! Another update will come next month.

And be sure to know that when we have an official opening date we plan to announce it far and wide so you won’t miss it.

14/06/2022

We're hiring for the post of Museum of Fire - Visitor Experience Team Leader based at The Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, McDonald Road, Edinburgh on a fixed term basis until May 2023. This is a full-time opportunity, working 35 hours per week. Application deadline is 5th July. https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/emergency-services/scottish-fire-and-rescue-service/jobs/museum-fire-visitor-experience-team-leader-280820

09/06/2022

The Mobile Fire Museum has now been transported to our Collection Store. Until recently it was living at the SFRS East. The Mobile Museum won't be out and about in 2022 as it will need some updating specifically to its exhibition! But we hope that in the next year or so it will be back on the road - diesel prices permitting 🤨

03/06/2022

While we celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubliee, Watch Commander, Dave Farries QFSM looks back at receiving his service medal from Queen Elizabeth II.

“In 2014 I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Queens Fire Service Medal for my work with Fire Service Heritage, Fire Service Sports and Athletics and the Firefighters Charity, or the Benevolent Fund as it was known then.

Later I was given the option of having it presented either at Buckingham Palace or Holyrood Palace and chose the latter as its practically on the doorstep. On the day I was accompanied by my wife Michelle and my son David, my daughter Linzi though nominated as one of my 3 guests was unfortunately out of the country, and as we entered the Palace we were separated with guests being taken through to the Hall where the presentations would be made and recipients going into a large, ornate, reception room overlooking the Palace Gardens and Holyrood Park.

I met up with Kevin Blair, ex Watch Manager at Dunbar, who had also been awarded the QFSM and we chatted as we passed the time. Eventually a guy in an impressive uniform covered in regalia came and spoke to us and let us know what the protocol was and how the ceremony would be conducted. He gave us all pins to put onto the left hand breast of our jackets, coats, etc. for the Queen to hang our awards on. Shortly afterwards things began and individuals were being called and pretty soon a line of people slowly moving forward developed. The Fire Service and Ambulance personnel were the last in line and as I moved through there were only a couple of people left behind me.

I was held at the door to the hall by an equerry and then sent forward to another equerry further into the hall beside the wall. I could see all these people sitting on chairs arranged in a 3 sided square pattern in front of a stage, which I couldn’t see clearly as it seemed recessed into the wall I was being sent along. Standing in front of the stage was the guy in the impressive uniform who was presenting the recipients to the Queen.

I was scanning the ‘audience’ for Michelle and David but couldn’t pick them out and I just hoped they had a good view of things. As I moved further up and was being held with the final equerry I could see that the Queen was presenting the awards and chatting with the recipients, something we had been briefed on, and now I could see beyond the stage, seated in the front row, my Wife and Son.

This was my first view of the Queen in real life and I was amazed how small she was, especially compared to all the uniformed people standing beside and assisting her on the stage. Before I knew it was my turn and I was sent forward to a position about 3 paces from the front of the stage beside the guy with the regalia. As previously briefed, he announced my name and my award, I bowed and moved forward to a position in front of the stage where, because she was on the stage, the Queen was face to face with me. She already had my medal in her hand and she hung it on the pin I had previously put onto my jacket. We then had a short conversation about my charity work. I remember she was quite quietly spoken though I think Michelle and David, by virtue of their front row seats, managed to hear what she was saying. The Queen then offered me her hand which, following the briefing, I took lightly and shook. After two or three shakes my hand was pushed slightly, my indication that it was over and I let go of her hand, walked backwards the 3 paces, bowed and walked to the far end or the hall passing my family enroute.

I met up with them shortly afterwards and we exited into the Palace grounds to wait in a queue to get official photos taken. Shortly afterwards we made our way back to Lauriston where we met up with our daughter in law, Sandie, and grandkids, Joe, Caleb, and Aroha, in the Museum where we got some family photos incorporating the vintage appliances before going to our favourite restaurant for a meal.”

09/05/2022

All 5 of the appliances going on display have moved to their new home! We're happy to announce that the Museum has reached this milestone.

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 Kirkcaldy in Fife.

They will feature alongside dozens of historic and modern exhibits and artefacts including uniforms and equipment at the museum’s new premises with its entrance on Dryden Terrace, at McDonald Road Community Fire Station.

04/05/2022

On Wednesday 4th May we once again celebrate . The Feast Day of St Florian is a time for us all to remember firefighting colleagues past and present as well as the broader firefighting community around the world.

A popular Scots saying is ‘Wer all Jock Tamson’s Bairns’ which basically means we are all the same and that could not be truer in the case of Firefighters. No matter where in the world you are, no matter what system of your work, if you put ‘the blue stuff onto the red stuff’ your part of that worldwide fraternity that’s known as Firefighters.

We think it particularly poignant this year to think of our Ukrainian colleagues and the superhuman efforts they have gone to, to save life and property. Unfortunately, some of them have made the ultimate sacrifice and are no longer with us. Reminiscent of St Florian, a former centurion who was in charge of a cohort of Roman Vigiles (firefighters) in his early career and hence is the patron saint of firefighters. He gave his life not fighting a fire but ‘rescuing’ thousands of Christians when he refused to obey the instruction of his Emperor and put them to death. He was ultimately killed having been flayed, scourged and thrown into a river with a large weight around his neck because he refused to renounce his Christian beliefs.

02/05/2022

14/04/2022

History does truly repeat itself! This is a newspaper clipping highlighting the Tullis Russell & Co. Ltd appliance that was heading to the McDonald Road museum in the 1960s. The appliance will be again make the journey back to McDonald Road next week.

07/04/2022

We would like to give an update on the new Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage opening later this summer.

After years of planning and anticipation things are moving at a pace. As many of you know the Museum is moving back to its previous home at McDonald Road Community Fire Station in Edinburgh. We have a dedicated area that will house our reception and exhibition gallery. The gallery features large windows that look out onto the McDonald Road drill yard.

If you’re wondering what the museum will cover. It will be a chronological story of firefighting throughout Scotland up to the present day. It is an ambitious project that seeks to unite the Story of Scottish firefighting. The Exhibitions will cover 6 Themes:

• Scotland’s Challenges
• Early Years
• On the Run
• Being a Firefighter
• Safety
• Temporary Display: starting with World War II

Where are we now? The shell of the museum has been prepped and the flooring laid. The 5 Appliances going on display will be transported there later this month, once the electrical work has been completed. They are going in first due to their size and placement in the museum, then the large display cases, AV equipment, etc. will be brought in.

Currently staff and volunteers are prepping (dusting and lightly cleaning) the artefacts and objects going on display. This is a process that started in Nov 2021 with cleaning the appliances, was paused due to COVID restrictions, and started up again this February. Getting all the objects prepared will take about another 2 months (until the end of May). But once they are cleaned they’ll be ready for transport and display in their lovely new cases.

We currently have an appeal for SFRS Duty Board Tallies roughly 50mm in diameter by 0.5-1mm thick with or without names on them. Tallies can be plastic or light metal and hopefully one of the 5 Watch colours in use in the Service. It is an ideal opportunity for your name to live on. Donate your tally to the Museum and if it meets the criteria it will be placed on the board in perpetuity. Get in touch via email [email protected] or drop us a message via Facebook.

We aim to keep you updated on the development of the museum and offer some sneak peek photos over the coming months! Information about opening activities and events will be provided as well so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram museumscotfire.