Top 100 objects

Browse key artefacts from our properties across the country.

Displaying 21-40 of 98

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

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

Barrow

A large coke barrow used at Biggar Gasworks, South Lanarkshire, in the mid-20th century.

Object number BG.02.18

Time Period: Modern

Property Information: Biggar Gasworks

Object type: Barrow

The Sword of State

Gifted to James IV by Pope Julius II in 1507, the Sword of State was made by Italian craftsman Domenico da Sutri.

Object number EDIN053a

Time Period: 16th century, Post-medieval

Property Information: Edinburgh Castle

Object type: Sword

Sceptre

The Sceptre is thought to have been a gift to James IV from Pope Alexander VI in 1494.

Object number EDIN054

Time Period: Medieval

Property Information: Edinburgh Castle

Object type: Sceptre

Hatchment - Viscount of Strathallan

Used as a memorial to someone who had died, a ‘hatchment’ would carry the deceased’s coat of arms.

Object number INP001

Time Period: 19th century, Modern

Property Information: Innerpeffray Chapel

Object type: Hatchment

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

Painting: Portrait of James VI

This early portrait of James VI was likely painted at the time the Scottish court and Denmark began to negotiate an alliance by marriage.

Object number EDIN038

Time Period: 16th century, Post-medieval

Property Information: Edinburgh Castle

Object type: Painting

Mons Meg

This six-tonne siege gun is what cutting edge military technology once looked like.

Object number XIX.13

Time Period: Late medieval, Medieval

Property Information: Edinburgh Castle

Object type: Bombard/Cannon

Lion figure with shield

A lion with a wavy mane, its tongue sticking out a little, is carved into the outer face of this corbel.

Object number SPP002

Time Period: Late medieval, Medieval

Property Information: Spynie Palace

Object type: Carved stone

Gargoyle

Known as Angus, this gargoyle once acted as a spout to direct rainwater from the roof of Caerlaverock Castle.

Object number CAER/o/1

Time Period: Medieval

Property Information: Caerlaverock Castle

Object type: Gargoyle/Drainage spout

Stencil

This copper stencil with handle was used to mark whisky barrels at Dallas Dhu Distillery.

Object number DHU039

Time Period: 20th century, Modern

Property Information: Dallas Dhu Distillery

Object type: Stencil

Cross shaft - St Blane's stone

Carvings adorn the front of this early medieval stone slab from St Blane’s Chapel burial ground, Isle of Bute.

Object number SBC001

Time Period: Early medieval, Medieval

Property Information: St Blane's Church

Object type: Cross

The Crown of Scotland

Made of gold, silver and precious gems, the Crown of Scotland is the centrepiece of the Honours of Scotland – Scotland’s Crown jewels – on display at Edinburgh Castle.

Object number EDIN052

Time Period: 16th century, Post-medieval

Property Information: Edinburgh Castle

Object type: Crown

Tairsgeir (Peat cutter)

Peat was once the main fuel used to heat homes in the Western Isles and this tool was made to cut it.

Object number ARN103

Time Period: Modern

Property Information: Arnol No 42 Blackhouse

Object type: Peat cutter; Tairsgeir

Cliabh (Peat basket)

Women used wicker baskets like this one to collect peat to use as fuel.

Object number ARN094

Time Period: Modern

Property Information: Arnol No 42 Blackhouse

Object type: Peat basket/Basket; Cliabh

Leabaidh (Box bed)

Cosy and private, this box-bed was built to provide a good night’s sleep at the Blackhouse, Arnol.

Object number ARN089

Time Period: Modern

Property Information: Arnol No 42 Blackhouse

Object type: Bed; Leabaidh

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

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

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