4May 2017

The Story of Edinburgh Unveiled in 101 Objects

New visitor experience set to draw tourists to explore the capital

Creating a fresh perspective on Edinburgh’s rich narrative of history, culture, heritage and everyday life, Edinburgh’s 101 Objects is a new visitor experience set to bring the city’s colourful, and sometimes dark, past to life through some of its most treasured objects and curiosities.

Launching today (Thursday 4 May) the city-wide attraction is a first for Edinburgh with 50 partners, including city institutions, attractions, universities, galleries and local pubs,coming together to eachshowcase their precious objects in celebration of 1,000 years of Scotland’s capital city.

From the architectural grandeur of the Scott Monument and the ethereal ceiling in the Thistle Chapel at St Giles’ Cathedral,to a 90-year old paint mixer used on the Forth Bridge and a golf ball once owned by Robert Louis Stevenson, every object has been carefully chosen for both their personal intrigue andpart in the compelling story of the city.

Seven themesprovide athread through the Edinburgh’s 101 journey through time: Building a City, Faith & Nation; City of Innovation; Arts & Performance; Everyday Life; On the Dark Side and Books, Words, Ideas. A balanced combination of familiar favourites including The Stone of Destiny, Sherlock Holmes statue and Dolly the Sheep, sit along the first Edinburgh International Festival programme from 1947, the 200-year old Sabalpalm tree, the originalNew Town Plan and the Witches Well.

Anew website all 101 objects, providing an entertaining insight into each object’s personal history and its place within Edinburgh’s gripping story. With each item numbered 1-101, visitors can explore the objects, arranging them by locale or theme, creating a personal visitor experience tailored to their interests. Designed to bean engaging information resource, the site also acts as a mobile geo-mapped guidebook, enabling visitors to navigate the city and discover the physical objects for themselves.

Edinburgh’s 101 Objects which celebrates Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, runs from May 2017-April 2018 in various locations across the city. #Edinburgh101

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ISSUED BY: Wire. For more information, contact Yasmin Ahmad on email at or call 0141 648 9610.

A selection of 101 favourites:

High resolution versions of images can be downloadedatedinburgh.org/101toolkit

St. Bernard’s Well, Dean Village, (1788) - Free

A celebration of Edinburgh’s sacred water source, St Bernard’s Well is a stunning 18th century neo-classical temple, built over a mineral spring with highly decorative interior pump house. A hidden gem among the foliage on the banks Water of Leith.

David Hume's Lucky Toe, The Royal Mile (1995) – Free

It’s a little ironic that the shiny bronze toe on the statue of one of the world’s greatest rationalist philosophers, David Hume (1711-1776), has developed its own superstitious tradition - toe-rubbing.Believed by students to bring good luck in their exams.

Chloroform Inhaler, (1847), National Museum of Scotland – Free

A beautiful cut-glass vessel for the inhalation of chloroform. Designed by Edinburgh obstetrician, James Young Simpson, who discovered the anaesthetic properties of chloroform. He first tested the gas’ effects on friends at a dinner party in 1884, before it became regularly used to kill pain of surgery, density and child birth.

Pickering’s Gin Tap, The Royal Dick Pub, Summerhall – Free

A copper bar tap serving draft gin straight from the small batch micro-distillery next door, housed in what used to be the dog kennels of the Royal School of Veterinary College. Now the thriving arts venue, Summerhall.

Pocketbook made from the skin of William Burke, (1829), Royal College of Surgeons – Adults £6.50/Child £4/Under 5 free

A chilling memento of Edinburgh’s most notorious serial killers, this pocketbook was made from the skin of William Burke after his hanging and public corpse dissection at the University of Edinburgh, following the murder of 17 victims.

Aruthur’s Seat Coffins, (1836), National Museum of Scotland – Free

Miniature coffins containing carved human effigies found by a group of schoolboys hunting for rabbits back in 1836. This collection of tiny 17 tiny coffins each contain a carved wooden doll that many believe represent the 17 victims of Burke & Hare.

Wojtek the bear, (2015), Princes Street Gardens – Free

Brown bear who was adopted by Polish soldiers during their Nazi escape helped carry ammunition at Italian Battle of Monte Cassino.

The Tattoo Drumstick,(1948), Cockburn Street - Free

This drumstick was dropped by a drummer at the end of a military parade held at Edinburgh Castle in 1948, which evolved into the world famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 1950.

Listing information:

What: Edinburgh’s 101 Objects

Where: Around 40 locations across Edinburgh

When: May 2017-April 2018

Cost:Mostly free. Entry fees at some attractions may apply. Check website for details.

More information:

Overview:

Part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017,Edinburgh’s 101 Objects is a new visitor experience that tells the stories of Edinburgh’s rich culture, history, literature and everyday life – all through some of its most treasured 101 objects and curiosities.

A new digital platform edinburgh.org/101 is at the heart of the newattraction, designed to be both an engaging information resource bringing the objects to life, and a mobile guidebook that people can use to discover the physical objects and city for themselves.

A carefully curated collection that doubles as a treasure hunt through Edinburgh’s ages, Edinburgh’s 101 Objects is the ideal way for people to get out and explore Scotland’s capital. Discover everything from the architectural grandeur of the National Monument or St Bernard’s Well to the smallest of mysteries such as the Arthur Seat Coffin Dolls and the Scottish Poetry Library’s Book Sculptures.

There are objects housed in the national heritage institutions and the city’s collections, but also in less obvious circumstances, like the Edinburgh Gurdwara or a classic Victorian pub. From world-renown masterpieces to those that may appear of little consequence in isolation, Edinburgh’s 101Objects tells the fascinating and distinctive story of this beautiful World Heritage city.

Notes to editors:

2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology

  • 2017 is the year to delve into the past and discover Scotland’s fascinating stories through a wide-ranging variety of new and existing activity to drive the nation’s tourism and events sector, boosting tourism across Scotland.
  • The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology begins on 1 January 2017 and will end on 31 December 2017. It will build on the momentum generated by previous themed years in Scotland including the 2015 Year of Food and Drink, Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.
  • The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Creative Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Built Environment Forum Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund, Museums Galleries Scotland and Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland.
  • The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology is supported by £570,000 of Scottish Government funding.
  • The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
  • For more information visit visitscotland.com/HHA2017 or join the conversation at #HHA2017

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