Top 100 objects

Browse key artefacts from our properties across the country.

Displaying 21-40 of 100

Ship model - Whaling ship Raith

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

The Stone of Destiny

The Stone of Destiny – also known as the Stone of Scone – is an ancient symbol of Scotland’s monarchy.

Object number EDIN060

Time Period: Medieval

Property Information: Edinburgh Castle

Object type: Coronation stone

Fire engine

Last used in 1929 to fight a fire at Glenlossie Distillery, this fire engine was pulled by a pair of horses.

Object number DHU018

Time Period: 19th century, Modern

Property Information: Dallas Dhu Distillery

Object type: Fire engine

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

Font panel

The slight curve to the back of this medieval panel from Crossraguel Abbey suggests that it was a section of a baptismal font.

Object number CGL/o/1

Time Period: Medieval

Property Information: Crossraguel Abbey

Object type: Font

Jewellery box

Twists of paper and metallic threads were used to make the pattern on the lid and sides of this wooden jewellery box.

Object number DUM146

Time Period: 19th century, Modern

Property Information: Dumbarton Castle

Object type: Jewellery box

Ochre grinding mortar

Traces of ochre still dot this mortar (grinding vessel) found at Skara Brae, a Neolithic settlement on Orkney.

Object number X.HA.28

Time Period: Neolithic, Prehistoric

Property Information: Skara Brae

Object type: Mortar

Bone whistle

This bone whistle found at the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae may have been used to make music to attract prey.

Object number SB.II.13.119

Time Period: Neolithic, Prehistoric

Property Information: Skara Brae

Object type: Musical Instrument

Beads

These beads may have been used as a necklace more than 4,500 years ago.

Object number SKB055

Time Period: Neolithic, Prehistoric

Property Information: Skara Brae

Object type: Bead

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

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

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

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

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

Cauldron

Food was once cooked over open fires in cauldrons like this one.

Object number TANT156

Time Period: 17th century, Post-medieval

Property Information: Tantallon Castle

Object type: Cauldron

Harpoon

Harpoons like this were used by Scottish whalers in the Arctic in the early 1820s.

Object number TRH419

Time Period: Modern

Property Information: Trinity House

Object type: Harpoon

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

Tape weaving loom

Narrow cotton tapes were made on looms like this at Stanley Mills from the 1930s to 1976.

Object number STN242

Time Period: Modern

Property Information: Stanley Mills

Object type: Loom

Collections