Scotland Maritime Museums

[Yankee Clipper]

I am planning a trip to Scotland in September and have been looking into museums there. I have highlighted the Dumbarton Museum and the Irvine Museum as well.
Would appreciate any comments as to the quality and content of these two selections, and any other recommendations someone might have on the subject. We are
intending to visit Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. Have traveled much of the world in these 82 years, but never got to Scotland. Very much looking forward
to this journey.
Thanks, Yankee Clipper

 

[Roger Pellett]

I believe that the Dumbarton Museum includes a historic “towing tank” used to determine resistance of towed models. Results being extrapolated to full sized vessels. Unfortunately I have not been able to the museum.

In Glasgow there’s the Transport Museum. Lots of ship models, unfortunately many poorly displayed.

If you’re going to Aberdeen and not restricted by a tour itinerary Dundee features two historic ships; one of the sail/steam arctic exploration ships; I don’t remember which one. The other is HMS Unicorn, a Nineteenth Century frigate.

In Edinburgh there’s the Royal Yacht Britannia, afloat and open to the public. IMHO definitely worth a visit. If you’re a sailor there’s interesting stuff aboard abut Prince Philip’s yachting activities.

Maritime museums or not, you will enjoy being in Scotland!

Roger

 

[AllanKP69]

Have traveled much of the world in these 82 years, but never got to Scotland. Very much looking forward
to this journey.

ENJOY!!!!!
Not quite 82 years, but have had the good fortune to travel the globe starting when I was still a teenager in 1966 and have been able to continue doing it the past 60 years. Scotland did not happen until this past May and it is really a great country. Wish I had gone sooner. Scenery and people are tops. We did spend a good amount of the week on the golf courses and in pubs but none of the group of golf buddies were up for ships, ship models and associated museums. Gives me an excuse to go back though!!
Allan

 

[Yankee Clipper]

I believe that the Dumbarton Museum includes a historic “towing tank” used to determine resistance of towed models. Results being extrapolated to full sized vessels. Unfortunately I have not been able to the museum.

In Glasgow there’s the Transport Museum. Lots of ship models, unfortunately many poorly displayed.

If you’re going to Aberdeen and not restricted by a tour itinerary Dundee features two historic ships; one of the sail/steam arctic exploration ships; I don’t remember which one. The other is HMS Unicorn, a Nineteenth Century frigate.

In Edinburgh there’s the Royal Yacht Britannia, afloat and open to the public. IMHO definitely worth a visit. If you’re a sailor there’s interesting stuff aboard abut Prince Philip’s yachting activities.

Maritime museums or not, you will enjoy being in Scotland!

Roger

Thanks Roger for the response. I am hoping that there might be a docent or guide that can explain the towing tank even it it is not operating.

 

[Yankee Clipper]

ENJOY!!!!!
Not quite 82 years, but have had the good fortune to travel the globe starting when I was still a teenager in 1966 and have been able to continue doing it the past 60 years. Scotland did not happen until this past May and it is really a great country. Wish I had gone sooner. Scenery and people are tops. We did spend a good amount of the week on the golf courses and in pubs but none of the group of golf buddies were up for ships, ship models and associated museums. Gives me an excuse to go back though!!
Allan

Well Allan, I put the clubs away several years ago so this trip will be castles, scenery and anything maritime I can find. I'll give you and Roger a debrief on return.

 

[Roger Pellett]

As a student I was a member of a three man team that towed a model of a tanker in the University of Michigan’s towing tank. Michigan’s tank is 400+ft long. At the time, 1965, it was second only to the US Navy’s tank (1300ft) at Carderock, MD in length.

If you’re interested I can explain the process.

Roger

 

[Graham]

I am planning a trip to Scotland in September and have been looking into museums there. I have highlighted the Dumbarton Museum and the Irvine Museum as well.
Would appreciate any comments as to the quality and content of these two selections, and any other recommendations someone might have on the subject. We are
intending to visit Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. Have traveled much of the world in these 82 years, but never got to Scotland. Very much looking forward
to this journey.
Thanks, Yankee Clipper

Hi. You might consider contacting Visit Scotland direct if you have any specific questions. Cheers.

 

[Kevin the Lubber]

There's the free entry Aberdeen Maritime Museum that opened 2 or 3 years ago https://sites.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/plan-your-visit/maritime-museum. I haven't been there but know they have a collection of half-hull models, as I was in touch about one of these a little while back.

As well as the Unicorn, Dundee has the 'Discovery'. https://www.dundeeheritagetrust.co.uk/attraction/discovery-point/

Aside from ships, museums and dockyards, if you have the inclination and the means, can I recommend visiting Sutherland. There are many beautiful parts of Scotland but the Atlantic coast in Sutherland is surely one of the best.

 

[JIMBO1912]

I am planning a trip to Scotland in September and have been looking into museums there. I have highlighted the Dumbarton Museum and the Irvine Museum as well.
Would appreciate any comments as to the quality and content of these two selections, and any other recommendations someone might have on the subject. We are
intending to visit Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. Have traveled much of the world in these 82 years, but never got to Scotland. Very much looking forward
to this journey.
Thanks, Yankee Clipper

I dont know how much time that you have but Perhaps you might aldo consider visiting The Riverside Museum and the Glenlee Tall ship in Glasgow.
Or The Royal Yacht Britannia at the Ocean Terminal in Leith/ Edinburgh. I would advise pre booking tickets for this as it can be busy ..
Again, maybe a visit to HMS Unicorn and RRS Discovery ,both moored in Dundee .( I wish Occre had modelled her instead of Endurance ).
As for ship building, you could included The Titan Crane in Clydebank which is only open at weekends .
As a bonus , you have to a short cruise on the Last Sea Going Paddle Steamer Waverly from 1947 or Calmac Clyde Ferries .
Hope this is not information overload and I can add more if it helps

 

[Shellback]

I am planning a trip to Scotland in September and have been looking into museums there. I have highlighted the Dumbarton Museum and the Irvine Museum as well.
Would appreciate any comments as to the quality and content of these two selections, and any other recommendations someone might have on the subject. We are
intending to visit Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. Have traveled much of the world in these 82 years, but never got to Scotland. Very much looking forward
to this journey.
Thanks, Yankee Clipper

On the way to Irvine it might be worth calling into the McLean Museum in Greenock which have a nice collection of ship models and also a very large carved figure of Captain Ahab: https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/commu...m-collections/social-history/inverclyde-ships
Also The Fairfield Heritage Centre, Govan, Glasgow is worth a visit: https://whichmuseum.co.uk/museum/fairfield-heritage-centre-glasgow-5150