Top 100 objects

Browse key artefacts from our properties across the country.

Displaying 1-20 of 96

Painting: Sergeant A Lawrence of the Dumbarton Volunteer Rifle Corps

In 1882, Sergeant Lawrence won the Queen’s Prize at Wimbledon – a top shooting prize.

Object number DUM178

Time Period: 19th century, Modern

Property Information: Dumbarton Castle

Object type: Painting

Bottle time capsule

This time capsule was discovered below the floorboards of the entrance lodge at Stanley Mills during building work in 1990.

Object number STN001

Time Period: Modern

Property Information: Stanley Mills

Object type: Bottle

Wicker basket on wheels

Wicker baskets like this one were used to transport cotton made at Stanley Mills in the mid-20th century.

Object number STN027

Time Period: Modern

Property Information: Stanley Mills

Object type: Basket

Column base

The bottom of this column base from St Andrews Cathedral shows us how a stonemason would set out designs in the early 1200s.

Object number SAC/cb/5

Time Period: Medieval

Property Information: St Andrews Cathedral

Object type: Column base

Pirlie pig

A pirlie pig is a medieval version of today’s piggy bank.

Object number MEL469

Time Period: Late medieval, Medieval

Property Information: Melrose Abbey

Object type: Money collection box/Collection box

Bone gaming counter

This bone object is thought to be a playing piece from a Viking board game called Hnefatafl.

Object number DIRL018

Time Period: Early medieval, Medieval

Property Information: Dirleton Castle

Object type: Gaming counter

Portrait of Peter Wood

Peter Wood (1749–1826) was a central figure in the whaling industry.

Object number TRH045

Time Period: 19th century, Modern

Property Information: Trinity House

Object type: Painting

Ship model - Whaling ship Faith

The Raith was one of the ships owned by Peter Wood (1749–1826), a central figure in the whaling industry.

Object number TRH382

Time Period: 19th century, Modern

Property Information: Trinity House

Object type: Ship model

Hatchment - Clementina 11th Countess of Perth

A ‘hatchment’ was a memorial to someone who had died and would feature the deceased’s coat of arms.

Object number INP002

Time Period: 19th century, Modern

Property Information: Innerpeffray Chapel

Object type: Hatchment

Cresset lamp

Inchmahome Priory would once have been bathed in a soft glow by lamps such as this one.

Object number INCM015

Time Period: Medieval

Property Information: Inchmahome Priory

Object type: Lamp

Pig iron ingot

An iron ‘pig’ or ingot made at Invergarry Furnace.

Object number BON019

Time Period: 18th century, Modern

Property Information: Bonawe Iron Furnace

Object type: Ingot

St Columba's Pillow

Popularly known as ‘St Columba’s Pillow’, this stone was so famous in the early 1900s that it was put in a metal cage for safe-keeping.

Object number IONA060

Time Period: Early medieval, Medieval

Property Information: Iona Abbey

Object type: Grave marker

Cross - MacMillan's Cross

Alexander MacMillan worked for Alexander MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, as the keeper of Castle Sween.

Object number KLM038

Time Period: Medieval

Property Information: Kilmory Chapel

Object type: Cross

Urinal

Long before there were en-suite bathrooms, there were urinals like this one.

Object number MEL440

Time Period: Late medieval, Medieval

Property Information: Melrose Abbey

Object type: Pot

Ink pot

Monks at Arbroath Abbey likely used this rare ink pot dating from the 1400s.

Object number ARB066

Time Period: Late medieval, Medieval

Property Information: Arbroath Abbey

Object type: Ink pot

William the Lion penny

A silver penny minted in the reign of William I (1165–1214).

Object number ARB105

Time Period: Medieval

Property Information: Arbroath Abbey

Object type: Coin

Floor tile

At the centre of this floor tile from Linlithgow Palace are the letters “IM”, joined by a love knot.

Object number LLP158

Time Period: 16th century, Post-medieval

Property Information: Linlithgow Palace

Object type: Floor tile

Iron eel spear

Fish was a regular dish in medieval Scotland and this five-pronged eel spear or leister was one way to catch dinner.

Object number LLP184

Time Period: Post-medieval

Property Information: Linlithgow Palace

Object type: Eel spear

Portrait of Admiral Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan of Camperdown

Admiral Duncan (1731–1804) led the British fleet to victory against the Dutch at Camperdown in 1797.

Object number TRH038

Time Period: 18th century, Modern

Property Information: Trinity House

Object type: Painting

Recumbent gravestone

This massive stone is a Pictish grave cover.

Object number MEIG011

Time Period: Early medieval, Medieval

Property Information: Meigle

Object type: Grave slab

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