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Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 1pm - 5pm

Museum on the Mound

Name: Museum on the Mound
Address: The Mound, Edinburgh, EH11YZ, GB
Telephone: +441312435464
Price range: $
Rating: 4.4

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Museum on the Mound

Money and so much more Admission Free

Operating as usual

16/03/2023

Museum Assistant was exhausted. Super Squirrel had invited several of his squirrel cousins to stay for the week, and it was all proving slightly draining. Even Super Squirrel was starting to become irritated by living in a flat full of squirrels, especially by his second cousin, Steve Squirrel.

‘He’s starting to get on my tail’ he had moaned.

‘All he does is show off his gymnastic moves, rant about 80’s pop music and make endless bum jokes. Steve is just so annoying.’

Super Squirrel was yet to fully grasp the concept of self-awareness.

Museum Assistant had left the squirrels playing with the safe in the museum while they got on with some work, but the peace was not to last long.

There was a ‘beep’, and a scrambling noise, followed by the opening of a security door.

‘Soops? How on earth?’

Super Squirrel waggled the pass he was proudly wearing around his neck.

‘I got a pass. Or rather I found the machine where the make the passes. I’ve now got access all scariers!’

‘Don’t you mean, ‘access all areas?’’

‘Have you seen the mess of the museum store? It’s definitely one of the scarier places my magic pass gives me access to!’

It was a fair point.

‘I’ve been all over the place today already. I’ve been under the Governor’s desk, and can I say, those socks don’t match…I’ve been switching around all the security cameras in the control room and now I can watch you scratch your bum when you don’t think anyone’s looking! Honestly, you’re terrible, you should see a doctor, I think there’s something wrong there. And, best of all, I played hide and seek with Steve Squirrel in the mail room!’

Museum Assistant’s stomach sank as the lady from the mail room appeared at the office door.

‘Just checking- did you want that parcel to Australia tracked?’ She said.

‘Super Squirrel…where’s Steve Squirrel?’

‘I gave him air holes, and snacks?’ said Super Squirrel, sheepishly.

‘SOOPS!’

TO BE CONTINUED…

15/03/2023

Have you heard of the Keep Safe scheme? Today is Keep Safe Awareness Day, so it's the ideal time to find out! Keep Safe is a partnership between Police Scotland and I Am Me Scotland that aims to make vulnerable people feel safer while out and about in the community by providing support and safe places to go. Museum on the Mound is a registered Keep Safe place, and your organisation could be too! To learn more visit the website, www.iammescotland.co.uk

14/03/2023

*EVENT NOW FULLY BOOKED*

Wow, you guys are fast off the mark! Apologies to anyone who hadn't booked as yet, we will run this event again in the future, so there will be more opportunities to take part.

Would someone in your family benefit from a quieter experience from our Science Festival sessions? On Monday 3rd of April we'll be running relaxed sessions while the museum is closed to the public for anyone who would benefit from a more sensory friendly visit. Spaces are limited and require advanced booking from www.sciencefestival.co.uk, but are absolutely free.
We can also offer a visual story and sensory map of the museum to help you prepare for your visit.

11/03/2023

It's another Saturday, otherwise known as an excuse for us to delve into our rugby archive! Today we're going back to 1931, and Insurance Offices annual knock out cup. The photo shows the team from the Scottish Widows London office, who were knocked out in round two. At least they didn't get the wooden spoon!

10/03/2023

It had been almost a week since Super Squirrel had last been seen. Museum Assistant had checked the museum gardens, all the cupboards and even his favourite place, behind the u-bend in the gent’s toilets, but he was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he had gone to the rival bank down the hill after all?

Then, one day, a van drew up outside the museum. Super Squirrel threw himself from the vehicle, clutching a bag of his possessions in one hand, and an envelope in the other.

‘I’m a changed squirrel’ said Super Squirrel gravely.

‘I’ve been to the big house.’

‘Which one? Palace of Holyrood House, or Georgian House?’

Museum Assistant knew how much the squirrel enjoyed an historic property. There was always so much antique wood to gnaw on.

‘No! I’ve been away, I’ve been inside. I’ve been…at His Majesty’s pleasure, although what he would enjoy about me being locked up I have no idea, I thought he liked flora and fauna.’

Super Squirrel handed Museum Assistant the envelope. Inside there was a mug shot.

‘I don’t think you’re three feet tall, Super Squirrel?’

‘I was standing on a naughty badger’s shoulder’s, he was a right hard case. Caught on a sett raid, don’t ask.’

Museum Assistant supressed a laugh.

‘It’s not funny! I got kicked out of that other bank, partially because I got caught chewing a pay-in slip, and also because I’m dead dangerous, and then…I got the jail!’

Super Squirrel pronounced ‘jail’ to rhyme with ‘pile’. In his head it made him sound menacing.

‘All week I’ve been scampering on a treadmill, and learning to play the harmonica, and sewing mail bags. I did a bar and gate tally on my cell door marking the days until I got out, and I got up to two days! It was intense. I’m never breaking into a rival bank again!’

Super Squirrel shuffled off to the cleaner’s cupboard to have a Harpic cocktail to calm his nerves.

Museum Assistant rang their friend in the prison museum to thank them. You could say, it had been an insider job.

Lancaster Castle

09/03/2023

It's , which is as good an excuse as any to revisit our favourite subject- p***y bows! In March 1990 Bank of Scotland updated their branch uniforms to include pre-tied p***y bows and shoulder padded cardigans. We've heard numerous stories about the bows being worn in various ways (including around heads during Friday night post work drinks). These must have been easier in the morning, but a bit less fun!

***ybows

08/03/2023

It's International Women's Day, a great chance to mention a woman in banking who was ahead of her time.

Eleanora Hog worked for the British Linen Company as a book keeper for 31 years, back in the 18th century. Not only was she was woman in what was very much a man's world, by 1793 she was also the third highest paid clerk in the company, earning £70 a year. She's buried in New Calton graveyard in Edinburgh, with her father who also worked for BLC, and sadly his achievements are mentioned, but not his daughter's...

We still know she was a pioneer. Here's to you, Eleanora!

07/03/2023

Hey you forward planners, are you looking for a free activity for the family in the Easter hols? We're delighted to be taking part in the Edinburgh Science Festival again, with sessions all about the science behind your coins and banknotes! It's all free but ticketed, get yours from https://www.sciencefestival.co.uk

04/03/2023

Museum Assistant was engrossed in their lunch. They had replaced the tomato in their cheese and tomato sandwich with onion, and were already regretting the decision. They never thought they’d say this, but they slightly missed salad vegetables.

‘It reeks like a hippy’s armpit around here! Museum Assistant, you better not breathe on anyone or I’ll have to resuscitate them, and squirrel CPR is a surprising event for anyone!’ Said Super Squirrel, who was hiding in a beige cloth bag.

‘Anyway, I’m here on important business, I’ve been looking at our environmental policy’ he said, sagely.

‘We already know about your single handed attempt to compost the wildlife garden Soops?’

‘We’re not talking about my all powerful bum b***y, as good as it is, I’m talking about plastic!’ You’ve been toting me around in a plastic bag squirrel carrier now for years, and it’s just not hen violently friendly. I’m shunning plastic and going for fabric!’

The beige shape hopped across the desk and fell, thumping into Museum Assistant’s laptop. Museum Assistant gasped as they noticed the logo on the bank money bag Super Squirrel had requisitioned.

‘Soops, you can’t use that one! Haven’t you noticed it’s not from our bank! It’s from…the bank at the bottom of the hill, the other one. The Royal one…’

Museum Assistant could feel themselves breaking into a sweat. Was this how they were finally going to get sacked?

‘I know! It’s ingenious, isn’t it? If I sneak in in my new bag, I can find out lots of state secrets. They’ve never had a squirrel, no one will recognise me. I will be entirely in Cornetto.’

‘Do you mean ‘incognito’, Super Squirrel?’

‘No, I mean ‘in Cornetto’? I’ll be like that chocolaty bit at the bottom of the cone, no one ever expects that. Now, do me a favour and launch me towards St Andrew Square, will you?’

Museum Assistant opened the window and flung the bag containing the squirrel in the direction of the New Town.

‘RBS, I am in youuuu!’ Screamed Super Squirrel.

Museum Assistant made a mental note to collect Super Squirrel from the bushes in the garden later.

‘Peace, perfect peace,’ they mumbled to themselves.

03/03/2023

How are your eagle eyes? Think you can find some hidden coins around our museum? See if you can complete our money trail and wonder why you never have the same success with finding money hiding around your own home.
It's worth a go if you fancy a change. (Change? See what we did there? We're not even slightly embarrassed either.)

02/03/2023

It's ! We spend a lot of time talking about Super Squirrel here, but who remembers the Halifax mascot. Alicat? We're not too convinced about the mascot suit though, and it doesn't look like the person wearing it here is either...

01/03/2023

Happy St David's Day!
We have some wondrously Welsh things in our collection including this note from the Llandilo Bank. It was known as the Black Ox Bank as it was set up to help cattle drovers, who often transported money from town to town as well as cattle.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus!

28/02/2023

Museum Assistant had gone to the Archives to pick up some things for the Curator.

Super Squirrel popped his head out of his plastic bag squirrel carrier and shuddered.

‘There but for the grace of Bod, go I’ he muttered to himself, thinking hard about why Bod was never on TV these days.

‘I thought you’d like the Archives, Soops? It's full of old banking things and you’re a-‘

‘Don’t say it, Museum Assistant. I’m not old, I’m getting better looking with age, like David Bowie did, or I’d imagine Madonna has? I, like them, am a natural mature beauty.’

Super Squirrel hadn’t looked at Instagram recently.

‘We’re not staying long, I just need to grab some books.’

The pair entered the vault, filled with long moveable shelves.

‘He used to buy me flowers…I wish he could again, but that was on the outside, and things were different then..’ sang the squirrel, poignantly.

‘The theme from Prisoner: Cell Block H, Super Squirrel?’

‘That’s what this place is! A prison for banking things! They say they’re keeping things safe here, but who are they keeping them safe from? I know for a fact that some of these books aren’t any sort of danger to society! Free the ledgers!’ shouted the Squirrel, punching the air with his paw.

Museum Assistant hadn’t felt so confused since the time they accidentally changed the language settings on their phone and spent a week trying to communicate in Dutch. They ran off to find their books, leaving Super Squirrel on his own. By the time they returned, they found a trail of shredded paper, and a bloated squirrel.

‘Shh…I’m smuggling them out, page by page in my belly. It’ll be a messy route for freedom, a bit like in the Shawshank Redemption, but the tunnel is my bum.’

Museum Assistant had no idea how they’d explain this one to the Archivists.

25/02/2023

It's another rugby day! We have all manner of things hiding in our archives, including the occasional piece of sporting equipment. These balls were produced to promote the rugby world cup in 2003- we wonder how many of these were accidentally kicked into neighbours gardens?

24/02/2023

A dazzlingly clean Super Squirrel sauntered into the Curator’s Office.

‘You’re late, where have you been?’ asked Museum Assistant.

‘Admiring my off- beat yet undeniable handsomeness mainly, I know I always put up a fight about my annual bath, but my, does it pay off. Look at ma big toof! Honestly, I could do toothpaste commercials right now!’

Super Squirrel leapt to the window and winked at a seagull. The seagull stared blankly and went back to eating a discarded sausage roll.

The fight to get Super Squirrel into the bathroom sink had been particularly vicious this year. He had spun so hard by his tail that Museum Assistant pondered adding him to a bowl of egg white and making a meringue.

‘I’m not only debonair, I’m an international squirrel of mystery after my recent travels. Oh! That must be why you have that sign!’

Super Squirrel leapt towards a sign for the International Division that had just been donated.

‘I’m so well-travelled, I could work there!’

Super Squirrel started to sing.

‘I’ve been Lauder, and quite near Cawdor,
And stuck my toes in the North Sea,
I’ve been to Tannadice, but I’ve never been to me..’

‘Leave that alone, Soops! It’s been hiding in someone’s shed and it needs cleaned!’ shouted Museum Assistant, running off to the museum with a pile of papers.

‘Cleaning you say?’ muttered Super Squirrel.

When Museum Assistant returned, a strange smell of Brasso hung on the air.

‘Look how good a job I’ve done! I can see my face in this now, and what a face it is!’

Super Squirrel was filthy, again.

‘Second bath in a year tonight, Super Squirrel’ raged Museum Assistant.

They made a mental note to buy eggs on the way home. It could be time to make a Pavlova.

23/02/2023

Here's a to a rather unusual training course in February 1972! St Andrews Ambulance Association staged a mock bank raid in their Glasgow premises as a first aid training exercise for police from around the country. Bank of Scotland lent all the equipment to set the stage as a branch, but not the staff who were requiring first aid (thankfully!). The team placed in first that day were from Edinburgh, so you know where to come if you require a bandage.

St. Andrews Ambulance Services

22/02/2023

This is an important day for all those involved in the Scouting and Guiding families- its World Thinking Day.
Scouts, Cubs and Guides crop up in the Lloyd's Bank staff magazines in the Second World War when things were scarce and rationing was in force. Appeals went out in 1943 for all manner of equipment to keep the organisations running. They're still a resourceful bunch to this day!

South East Scotland Scouts Scouts Scotland

21/02/2023

It's Shrove Tuesday, the day to set off the smoke alarms as you go wild with the eggs, milk and flour!
Alternatively, you could take part in a pancake race, like these members of the Lloyds Farnham branch did in 1977? It's a toss up which one to go for...

18/02/2023

There was a video call to Museum Assistant’s phone. A blurry squirrel face appeared very close to the camera and peered towards them.

‘Soops, you’re filthy! What have you been doing? You’ll need to have your annual bath when you get home!’

‘Bits in sink, suit on floor, now know what the loofah’s for’ chanted the squirrel grumpily.

‘I’m hoping that’s an airport I see behind you?’

‘It is, Museum Assistant. I’m being threatened with deportment, which is ridiculous because I’ve always been told I have lovely posture. I spent several of my lost years walking about with that Alan Cameron Bank of Scotland book everyone got at the tercentenary on my head, I could run my own small animal finishing school!’ said Super Squirrel, with a belch.

‘Honestly, it’s ridiculous. I was at poopy free and I got stopped by a man who asked if I had anything to declare. I stuck my neck out and declared that Architecture and Morality by OMD was a better album than Dare by Human League, and before I knew it I’d been slung in a pet carrier with an angry looking Yorkshire Terrier. I don’t know what they were so mad about, they must not be into classic electro synth albums.
Museum Assistant groaned. They’d probably have to write a report about this to the Curator, and they were pretty sure that there wasn’t a proforma that covered mascot deportation.

‘I’m coming home on some weird budget airline tonight, and they’ve said I’m going to the special bit where I deserve to go for not keeping quiet.’

‘The hold?’

‘The roof.’

Museum Assistant was quietly relieved. It would avoid the extra bag charge.
‘Anyway, better go, I’m trying to get an upgrade to an overhead baggage compartment. Best holiday ever!’ gasped the squirrel.

‘Glad you enjoyed yourself’ muttered Museum Assistant, wondering how long they could arrange to have him kept in quarantine.

Address

The Mound
Edinburgh
EH11YZ

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+441312435464

Website

http://www.museumonthemound.com/

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Videos

It's about time we gave you a look at some of our new displays- prepare to feel old! We're looking a lot at technological advances in banking, including this revolutionary piece of kit from 1985. HOBS, the Home Office and Banking Service was online banking before online banking existed: for the first time you could control your finances remotely from your own home. Well, that'll never catch on. 😉 #HOBS #homebanking

Tomorrow is the big 327th birthday for Bank of Scotland! Formed just a year after the Bank of England, the grand old lady of Scottish banking is the last company still in existence formed by an act of the original Scottish Parliament, the one that ceased to be in 1707. Did you know that if you joined the Bank as a partner, you became a naturalised Scot? That final and rather unusual clause wasn’t repealed until 1920! #happybirthdaytous #bankofscotland

Thanks for joining in with our #TakeoverDay with Kids in Museums! Do you think you could beat Robert's time to build the bank? Why not pay us a visit and give out? Thanks again to Robert for his excellent video editing skills, and his unique portrayal of a certain squirrel...

What's Super Squirrel up to now? He certainly seems excited about our Kids in Museums #TakeoverDay! #kidsinmuseums

Here's a great little video of Saturday's shenanigans curtesy of Jude at #gala_scout_group. What a day! #platinumjubilee2022 #scoutscot

Look at these 1980's uncirculated beauties...£1 notes back in stock now! £4.99, once Museum Assistant has put them into fancy pants wallets. Let the insertion commence! #notecollecting #uncirculatedbanknote #poundnote

And here's the latest weather report from the Mound. SNOW!!!

It's blowing a hoolie here at the Mound. Stay safe everyone! #StormArwen

This was my one day of being a model for the 1993 pocket calendar !! 🤩

Do you need an old fashioned scarf ring. We had to buy these separately from the uniform and regretfully, even with this aid, my scarf never looked neat on me!!

Starting off our summer activities with a bang! Coin striking is on every day this week from 2:30pm to 4pm.

Remember this Moira.... Happy Days 😀

"🎶 I'm in the money 🎶"

"In the money!"

"IN THE MONEY " Iona Fiddes

I think he makes a great £20 note 😝💷 We had a fab time on our visit! Thank you ☺️