University of Aberdeen Collections
@uoacollections.bsky.social
News, Events, Exhibitions and a look at the extensive and varied collections cared for by the University of Aberdeen Collections.
uoacollections@abdn.ac.uk
www.abdn.ac.uk/collections
uoacollections@abdn.ac.uk
www.abdn.ac.uk/collections
This time last week we were celebrating all things Gothic as Way WORD Festival and Heather Parry announced the winner of the Gothic story writing competition, and started off the Gothic Aberdeen tour!
Thanks to WayWord for having us, and everyone who came along to join us for a very Gothic day!
Thanks to WayWord for having us, and everyone who came along to join us for a very Gothic day!
October 10, 2025 at 10:04 AM
This time last week we were celebrating all things Gothic as Way WORD Festival and Heather Parry announced the winner of the Gothic story writing competition, and started off the Gothic Aberdeen tour!
Thanks to WayWord for having us, and everyone who came along to join us for a very Gothic day!
Thanks to WayWord for having us, and everyone who came along to join us for a very Gothic day!
Join us for a series of Gallery tours with the AUZBS "Spiders, Bats, Crows, Cats" 🕷️🦇🐈⬛ linking zoology tours with "Fear & Fascination: A Gothic exhibition".
Wednesdays 15th, 22nd and 29th October 13:00-13:30, The Sir Duncan Rice Library, Gallery.
Wednesdays 15th, 22nd and 29th October 13:00-13:30, The Sir Duncan Rice Library, Gallery.
October 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Join us for a series of Gallery tours with the AUZBS "Spiders, Bats, Crows, Cats" 🕷️🦇🐈⬛ linking zoology tours with "Fear & Fascination: A Gothic exhibition".
Wednesdays 15th, 22nd and 29th October 13:00-13:30, The Sir Duncan Rice Library, Gallery.
Wednesdays 15th, 22nd and 29th October 13:00-13:30, The Sir Duncan Rice Library, Gallery.
Today is the anniversary of horror author M.R. James's birth (1862-1936). His stories of antiquarians beset by supernatural horrors feature in our exhibition Fear and Fascination, open now at the Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Find out more: buff.ly/s4DYTaH
Find out more: buff.ly/s4DYTaH
August 1, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Today is the anniversary of horror author M.R. James's birth (1862-1936). His stories of antiquarians beset by supernatural horrors feature in our exhibition Fear and Fascination, open now at the Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Find out more: buff.ly/s4DYTaH
Find out more: buff.ly/s4DYTaH
When you can't decide which online exhibition to start with - get another screen!
Browse our online exhibitions: buff.ly/H9yEg1Y
Browse our online exhibitions: buff.ly/H9yEg1Y
July 31, 2025 at 8:21 AM
When you can't decide which online exhibition to start with - get another screen!
Browse our online exhibitions: buff.ly/H9yEg1Y
Browse our online exhibitions: buff.ly/H9yEg1Y
Today is #InternationalTigerDay
Rani the tiger was seized at Aberdeen Airport under CITES legislation in 1996, by HM Customs and Excise. Although she was probably a zoo animal, the specimen was mounted in Deeside, and was being exported to the Middle East without the necessary permits.
Rani the tiger was seized at Aberdeen Airport under CITES legislation in 1996, by HM Customs and Excise. Although she was probably a zoo animal, the specimen was mounted in Deeside, and was being exported to the Middle East without the necessary permits.
July 29, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Today is #InternationalTigerDay
Rani the tiger was seized at Aberdeen Airport under CITES legislation in 1996, by HM Customs and Excise. Although she was probably a zoo animal, the specimen was mounted in Deeside, and was being exported to the Middle East without the necessary permits.
Rani the tiger was seized at Aberdeen Airport under CITES legislation in 1996, by HM Customs and Excise. Although she was probably a zoo animal, the specimen was mounted in Deeside, and was being exported to the Middle East without the necessary permits.
Join us tomorrow, for a map making workshop as part of the Festival of the Sea.
There will be historical maps on display to inspire you, drawing materials and guides so you can create your own map - or add to a collaborative map.
The Library has pretty good air conditioning!
buff.ly/9D5D3nG
There will be historical maps on display to inspire you, drawing materials and guides so you can create your own map - or add to a collaborative map.
The Library has pretty good air conditioning!
buff.ly/9D5D3nG
July 18, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Join us tomorrow, for a map making workshop as part of the Festival of the Sea.
There will be historical maps on display to inspire you, drawing materials and guides so you can create your own map - or add to a collaborative map.
The Library has pretty good air conditioning!
buff.ly/9D5D3nG
There will be historical maps on display to inspire you, drawing materials and guides so you can create your own map - or add to a collaborative map.
The Library has pretty good air conditioning!
buff.ly/9D5D3nG
Ever wondered why some of the earliest maps and atlases feature fantastical sea creatures?
Chet van Duzer, historian of cartography, will be giving an online talk on Tuesday 22nd of July about these legendary creatures and what they reveal about early geographic thought and nautical navigation.
Chet van Duzer, historian of cartography, will be giving an online talk on Tuesday 22nd of July about these legendary creatures and what they reveal about early geographic thought and nautical navigation.
Festival of the Sea: Online Talk - Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps with Chet van Duzer
Ever wondered why some of the earliest maps and atlases feature fantastical sea creatures?
abdn.io
July 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Ever wondered why some of the earliest maps and atlases feature fantastical sea creatures?
Chet van Duzer, historian of cartography, will be giving an online talk on Tuesday 22nd of July about these legendary creatures and what they reveal about early geographic thought and nautical navigation.
Chet van Duzer, historian of cartography, will be giving an online talk on Tuesday 22nd of July about these legendary creatures and what they reveal about early geographic thought and nautical navigation.
It's week 2 of summer at the Zoology Museum and a huge well done to everyone who contributed to creating a very colourful giant spider crab in Week 1! We're starting a new Giant Spider Crab this week so get down to the Zoology Museum and get colouring!
July 15, 2025 at 8:33 AM
It's week 2 of summer at the Zoology Museum and a huge well done to everyone who contributed to creating a very colourful giant spider crab in Week 1! We're starting a new Giant Spider Crab this week so get down to the Zoology Museum and get colouring!
Today is international rock day.
This Jadeite stone axe head was discovered in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire and dates from 4000 BC-2400 BC. It was recently discovery that the jadeite was quarried on the slopes of Monte Viso in the Italian alps, travelling almost 1000 miles 5000 years ago!
This Jadeite stone axe head was discovered in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire and dates from 4000 BC-2400 BC. It was recently discovery that the jadeite was quarried on the slopes of Monte Viso in the Italian alps, travelling almost 1000 miles 5000 years ago!
July 13, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Today is international rock day.
This Jadeite stone axe head was discovered in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire and dates from 4000 BC-2400 BC. It was recently discovery that the jadeite was quarried on the slopes of Monte Viso in the Italian alps, travelling almost 1000 miles 5000 years ago!
This Jadeite stone axe head was discovered in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire and dates from 4000 BC-2400 BC. It was recently discovery that the jadeite was quarried on the slopes of Monte Viso in the Italian alps, travelling almost 1000 miles 5000 years ago!
On this day in 1824 The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner was published. This copy, in our exhibition "Fear & Fascination" had some skilled conservation work done by our skilled paper conservator. You wouldn't know from looking but it has had an entirely new board made for it.
July 12, 2025 at 9:27 AM
On this day in 1824 The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner was published. This copy, in our exhibition "Fear & Fascination" had some skilled conservation work done by our skilled paper conservator. You wouldn't know from looking but it has had an entirely new board made for it.
Today is #WorldChocolateDay
This is a chocolate whisk or molinillo [ABDUA: 8870] from Bolivia. This type of molinillo was invented by Spanish colonisers in Central and South America around the 1600s. It is is spun between ones hands and into a pot of chocolate to froth or mix chocolate drinks.
This is a chocolate whisk or molinillo [ABDUA: 8870] from Bolivia. This type of molinillo was invented by Spanish colonisers in Central and South America around the 1600s. It is is spun between ones hands and into a pot of chocolate to froth or mix chocolate drinks.
July 7, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Today is #WorldChocolateDay
This is a chocolate whisk or molinillo [ABDUA: 8870] from Bolivia. This type of molinillo was invented by Spanish colonisers in Central and South America around the 1600s. It is is spun between ones hands and into a pot of chocolate to froth or mix chocolate drinks.
This is a chocolate whisk or molinillo [ABDUA: 8870] from Bolivia. This type of molinillo was invented by Spanish colonisers in Central and South America around the 1600s. It is is spun between ones hands and into a pot of chocolate to froth or mix chocolate drinks.
Our Zoology skeletons have got some new entertainment installed for the holidays, come along to help colour it in and give them something nice to look at!
The Zoology Museum will be open 10-4 Monday-Friday through the school holidays.
The Zoology Museum will be open 10-4 Monday-Friday through the school holidays.
July 4, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Our Zoology skeletons have got some new entertainment installed for the holidays, come along to help colour it in and give them something nice to look at!
The Zoology Museum will be open 10-4 Monday-Friday through the school holidays.
The Zoology Museum will be open 10-4 Monday-Friday through the school holidays.
Congratulations to everyone graduating from @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social this week!
You might spot these maces being used during graduation ceremonies. Left is the King's College Mace (ABDUA:36876) made in 1650. Right is the Marischal College Mace (ABDUA:36877) from c.1660.
You might spot these maces being used during graduation ceremonies. Left is the King's College Mace (ABDUA:36876) made in 1650. Right is the Marischal College Mace (ABDUA:36877) from c.1660.
July 2, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Congratulations to everyone graduating from @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social this week!
You might spot these maces being used during graduation ceremonies. Left is the King's College Mace (ABDUA:36876) made in 1650. Right is the Marischal College Mace (ABDUA:36877) from c.1660.
You might spot these maces being used during graduation ceremonies. Left is the King's College Mace (ABDUA:36876) made in 1650. Right is the Marischal College Mace (ABDUA:36877) from c.1660.
Happy #DisabilityPrideMonth from all of us at UoA Collections! Here's a disability pride flag made from images of our collection to celebrate!
Find out where the colours come from in the thread below:
Find out where the colours come from in the thread below:
July 1, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Happy #DisabilityPrideMonth from all of us at UoA Collections! Here's a disability pride flag made from images of our collection to celebrate!
Find out where the colours come from in the thread below:
Find out where the colours come from in the thread below:
As part of the Festival of the Sea we're running a map making workshop on the 12th July. There will be historical maps on display to inspire you, and drawing materials and guides so you can create your own map - or add to a collaborative map.
Details here: buff.ly/dyxmPBG
Details here: buff.ly/dyxmPBG
July 1, 2025 at 8:19 AM
As part of the Festival of the Sea we're running a map making workshop on the 12th July. There will be historical maps on display to inspire you, and drawing materials and guides so you can create your own map - or add to a collaborative map.
Details here: buff.ly/dyxmPBG
Details here: buff.ly/dyxmPBG
Reposted by University of Aberdeen Collections
🤣🚨ATTENTION!!🚨🤣
@traceynormanauthor.bsky.social knitted us a museum environmental monitor and it's the best thing that's happened to us EVER! 😍🤩
@traceynormanauthor.bsky.social knitted us a museum environmental monitor and it's the best thing that's happened to us EVER! 😍🤩
June 27, 2025 at 11:55 AM
🤣🚨ATTENTION!!🚨🤣
@traceynormanauthor.bsky.social knitted us a museum environmental monitor and it's the best thing that's happened to us EVER! 😍🤩
@traceynormanauthor.bsky.social knitted us a museum environmental monitor and it's the best thing that's happened to us EVER! 😍🤩
Integrated Pest Management allows heritage sites to monitor and manage pests to prevent damage to the collections.
We admire and appreciate the important role that wee beasties play in our eco system, but we don't want them munching on our historical collections if possible!
#InsectWeek
We admire and appreciate the important role that wee beasties play in our eco system, but we don't want them munching on our historical collections if possible!
#InsectWeek
June 27, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Integrated Pest Management allows heritage sites to monitor and manage pests to prevent damage to the collections.
We admire and appreciate the important role that wee beasties play in our eco system, but we don't want them munching on our historical collections if possible!
#InsectWeek
We admire and appreciate the important role that wee beasties play in our eco system, but we don't want them munching on our historical collections if possible!
#InsectWeek
These watercolour paintings of insects were made by Sri Lankan artists William and George de Alwis around 1834.
Their drawings were considered so true to form that between 1849 and 1880 the Governor of Ceylon employed them to draw the moths and butterflies of the country from nature.
#InsectWeek
Their drawings were considered so true to form that between 1849 and 1880 the Governor of Ceylon employed them to draw the moths and butterflies of the country from nature.
#InsectWeek
June 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
These watercolour paintings of insects were made by Sri Lankan artists William and George de Alwis around 1834.
Their drawings were considered so true to form that between 1849 and 1880 the Governor of Ceylon employed them to draw the moths and butterflies of the country from nature.
#InsectWeek
Their drawings were considered so true to form that between 1849 and 1880 the Governor of Ceylon employed them to draw the moths and butterflies of the country from nature.
#InsectWeek
This book by Louise M. Budgen, published 1849-1851 describes the natural history of insects through stories. Budgen wrote it under the pseudonym Acheta Domestica, the scientific name of the house cricket.
The Victorian blocked binding shows a house cricket reciting one of the tales.
#InsectWeek
The Victorian blocked binding shows a house cricket reciting one of the tales.
#InsectWeek
June 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
This book by Louise M. Budgen, published 1849-1851 describes the natural history of insects through stories. Budgen wrote it under the pseudonym Acheta Domestica, the scientific name of the house cricket.
The Victorian blocked binding shows a house cricket reciting one of the tales.
#InsectWeek
The Victorian blocked binding shows a house cricket reciting one of the tales.
#InsectWeek
Horatio McCulloch (1805-67) died #OnThisDay in 1867. He was a leading Scottish Romantic landscape painter of the 19thC, whose paintings created a romantic Highland image of the country. By the time this was painted in the mid-1800s, a notion of "Scotland" was becoming synonymous with the Highlands.
June 24, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Horatio McCulloch (1805-67) died #OnThisDay in 1867. He was a leading Scottish Romantic landscape painter of the 19thC, whose paintings created a romantic Highland image of the country. By the time this was painted in the mid-1800s, a notion of "Scotland" was becoming synonymous with the Highlands.
Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) was the first woman to describe and study the life cycle and metamorphoses of butterflies and other insects. Her first book, The Miraculous Transformation and Unusual Flower-Food of Caterpillars contained over 50 plates, engraved from her own observations
#InsectWeek
#InsectWeek
June 24, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) was the first woman to describe and study the life cycle and metamorphoses of butterflies and other insects. Her first book, The Miraculous Transformation and Unusual Flower-Food of Caterpillars contained over 50 plates, engraved from her own observations
#InsectWeek
#InsectWeek
This #InsectWeek we will be highlighting insects from all around the collections.
These are cream-spot tiger moths, localised to southern England and Wales. Moths are normally thought of as only being beige but this is just one example of the beautiful colours they can be.
These are cream-spot tiger moths, localised to southern England and Wales. Moths are normally thought of as only being beige but this is just one example of the beautiful colours they can be.
June 23, 2025 at 11:28 AM
This #InsectWeek we will be highlighting insects from all around the collections.
These are cream-spot tiger moths, localised to southern England and Wales. Moths are normally thought of as only being beige but this is just one example of the beautiful colours they can be.
These are cream-spot tiger moths, localised to southern England and Wales. Moths are normally thought of as only being beige but this is just one example of the beautiful colours they can be.
Aberdeen Harbour may look a bit like this again this summer with Tall Ships Races coming to Aberdeen!
Find out more about everything happening here: buff.ly/aXzoS0D
📷 GWW, Aberdeen Harbour from Dock Gates, c.1877, MS 3792/E0111
Find out more about everything happening here: buff.ly/aXzoS0D
📷 GWW, Aberdeen Harbour from Dock Gates, c.1877, MS 3792/E0111
June 17, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Aberdeen Harbour may look a bit like this again this summer with Tall Ships Races coming to Aberdeen!
Find out more about everything happening here: buff.ly/aXzoS0D
📷 GWW, Aberdeen Harbour from Dock Gates, c.1877, MS 3792/E0111
Find out more about everything happening here: buff.ly/aXzoS0D
📷 GWW, Aberdeen Harbour from Dock Gates, c.1877, MS 3792/E0111
Something doesn't look like it belongs there...
Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes at the installation of our whale jaw in the new @abdnartmuseums.bsky.social Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction? exhibition.
Find out more about the exhibition: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/whats-a...
Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes at the installation of our whale jaw in the new @abdnartmuseums.bsky.social Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction? exhibition.
Find out more about the exhibition: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/whats-a...
June 16, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Something doesn't look like it belongs there...
Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes at the installation of our whale jaw in the new @abdnartmuseums.bsky.social Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction? exhibition.
Find out more about the exhibition: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/whats-a...
Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes at the installation of our whale jaw in the new @abdnartmuseums.bsky.social Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction? exhibition.
Find out more about the exhibition: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/whats-a...
Today is #NaturePhotographyDay
George Washington Wilson was a trailblazer in landscape photography, focusing on that instead of portraiture from the 1860s. He produced stereoscopic pictures with short exposures, increasing what could be photographed.
📷 GWW, Old Man of Storr, late 19thC, MS 3792
George Washington Wilson was a trailblazer in landscape photography, focusing on that instead of portraiture from the 1860s. He produced stereoscopic pictures with short exposures, increasing what could be photographed.
📷 GWW, Old Man of Storr, late 19thC, MS 3792
June 15, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Today is #NaturePhotographyDay
George Washington Wilson was a trailblazer in landscape photography, focusing on that instead of portraiture from the 1860s. He produced stereoscopic pictures with short exposures, increasing what could be photographed.
📷 GWW, Old Man of Storr, late 19thC, MS 3792
George Washington Wilson was a trailblazer in landscape photography, focusing on that instead of portraiture from the 1860s. He produced stereoscopic pictures with short exposures, increasing what could be photographed.
📷 GWW, Old Man of Storr, late 19thC, MS 3792