Museum
Biggar Museum’s collections explore 14,000 years of rural and small-town life in Biggar and Upper Clydesdale.
They explore the area’s rich archaeological, social and historic heritage and focus on the people who have lived and worked here from prehistoric times up to the mid-20th century. The many objects on display illuminate a small part of their ordinary and extraordinary lives.
In addition to the museum galleries, the building encompasses an archive room, stores, shop and a separate area for temporary exhibitions.
The Land & People
Is Tinto Hill a volcano? At 707 meters high Tinto hill is a well-known landmark in South Lanarkshire. The red, hard rock called Felsite that is often used to form Lanarkshire’s roads is also found near the top of Tinto’s summit.
Scotland’s Earliest People
The oldest open-air site in Scotland was discovered by archaeologists in Howburn, near Biggar. It dates to the last phases of the last glacial period, the Devensian Epoch, and provides insight into the lives of Late Upper Palaeolithic hunters
Neolithic Farmers
Neolithic Farmers made & used a variety of tools including arrowheads which were fixed to the end of a shaft & fired from long narrow bows.
Copper Age & Bronze Age Inhabitants
The skeleton of “Thankerton Man” was found in a stone cist – a type of burial chamber – at Boatbridge Quarry, Thankerton, South Lanarkshire, in 1970.
Iron Age & Medieval Settlements
As the name implies, the Iron Age saw the gradual introduction of iron working technology, although the general adoption of iron artefacts did not become widespread until after 500-400 BCE.
Biggar and the House of Fleming
The House of Fleming were a local family of rank and influence who occupied a prominent place in the Biggar district. One of their homes was Boghall Castle (an excellent, detailed model of which is displayed in the museum).
Seventeenth Century Upland Farmers
Bastle houses (fortified farmhouses) are a fascinating historic feature of the borders area and were used by farmers to provide security against border reivers (raiders).
Rural Life in the 19th Century
If you’ve ever looked into your family history, chances are at some point you’ll have come across some of your ancestors that worked the land.
Religious Protesters
The Covenanters were opposed to the religious policies of Charles 1 (1625 – 1649) and Charles II (1660 – 1685), it was the interference of both these monarchs with the Church of Scotland’s independence that the Covenanters objected to.
Crimean Heroes
During the Crimean War which raged for three years from 1853 – 1856, Britain fought alongside France, Sardinia and Turkey against Russia.
Polish Soldiers
During WWII, many Polish troops were evacuated to Scotland. In the summer of 1940 several thousand soldiers were sent to Biggar and surrounds to train to fight against Nazi Germany. One such training area was Tinto hill.
Gladstone Court Streetscape
Walk the streets and explore the shops of Gladstone Court, in an amazing interactive experience that recreates the sights and sounds of a bustling Victorian High Street.
Behind the Scenes
A little like a swan, most of the activity within the museum is unseen by the public.
