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
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.
We spotted them in use on @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social Instagram story today!
July 2, 2025 at 12:50 PM
We spotted them in use on @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social Instagram story today!
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.
Red - Physical Disabilities
This is made by a piece of red tartan carpet that came from Balmoral. It was specially woven for Balmoral and was in Queen Victoria's bedroom.
ABDUA:64518
This is made by a piece of red tartan carpet that came from Balmoral. It was specially woven for Balmoral and was in Queen Victoria's bedroom.
ABDUA:64518
July 1, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Red - Physical Disabilities
This is made by a piece of red tartan carpet that came from Balmoral. It was specially woven for Balmoral and was in Queen Victoria's bedroom.
ABDUA:64518
This is made by a piece of red tartan carpet that came from Balmoral. It was specially woven for Balmoral and was in Queen Victoria's bedroom.
ABDUA:64518
Yellow - Neurodiversity
This is a slice from a piece of glass slag, likely Roman. Enormous slabs of glass would be produced in furnaces, broken into chunks and transported to workshops to be made into vessels.
ABDUA:60632
This is a slice from a piece of glass slag, likely Roman. Enormous slabs of glass would be produced in furnaces, broken into chunks and transported to workshops to be made into vessels.
ABDUA:60632
July 1, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Yellow - Neurodiversity
This is a slice from a piece of glass slag, likely Roman. Enormous slabs of glass would be produced in furnaces, broken into chunks and transported to workshops to be made into vessels.
ABDUA:60632
This is a slice from a piece of glass slag, likely Roman. Enormous slabs of glass would be produced in furnaces, broken into chunks and transported to workshops to be made into vessels.
ABDUA:60632
White - Invisible and Undiagnosed Disabilities
This is from an oil painting - ‘Winter’ by Joseph Farquharson (1846-1935), a Scottish artist well known for his snowy winter landscapes.
ABDUA:33001
This is from an oil painting - ‘Winter’ by Joseph Farquharson (1846-1935), a Scottish artist well known for his snowy winter landscapes.
ABDUA:33001
July 1, 2025 at 11:17 AM
White - Invisible and Undiagnosed Disabilities
This is from an oil painting - ‘Winter’ by Joseph Farquharson (1846-1935), a Scottish artist well known for his snowy winter landscapes.
ABDUA:33001
This is from an oil painting - ‘Winter’ by Joseph Farquharson (1846-1935), a Scottish artist well known for his snowy winter landscapes.
ABDUA:33001
Blue - Mental Illness
Egyptian fertility amulet of Taweret. Taweret is a blending of lion, hippo, crocodile, and human attributes. The three animals were some of the fiercest species found in ancient Egypt.
ABDUA:20014
Egyptian fertility amulet of Taweret. Taweret is a blending of lion, hippo, crocodile, and human attributes. The three animals were some of the fiercest species found in ancient Egypt.
ABDUA:20014
July 1, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Blue - Mental Illness
Egyptian fertility amulet of Taweret. Taweret is a blending of lion, hippo, crocodile, and human attributes. The three animals were some of the fiercest species found in ancient Egypt.
ABDUA:20014
Egyptian fertility amulet of Taweret. Taweret is a blending of lion, hippo, crocodile, and human attributes. The three animals were some of the fiercest species found in ancient Egypt.
ABDUA:20014
Green - Sensory Disabilities
This is a from the body of a model of Watt's steam engine for pumping water. This is the same stream engine that fired the industrial revolution.
ABDNP:200045
This is a from the body of a model of Watt's steam engine for pumping water. This is the same stream engine that fired the industrial revolution.
ABDNP:200045
July 1, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Green - Sensory Disabilities
This is a from the body of a model of Watt's steam engine for pumping water. This is the same stream engine that fired the industrial revolution.
ABDNP:200045
This is a from the body of a model of Watt's steam engine for pumping water. This is the same stream engine that fired the industrial revolution.
ABDNP:200045
Charcoal - Mourning
Represented here by an Argillite plate. The base is elaborately carved with circles, tobacco leaves, diamonds and curved lines. The negative space is patterned in relief with small raised diamond shapes.
ABDUA:5571
Represented here by an Argillite plate. The base is elaborately carved with circles, tobacco leaves, diamonds and curved lines. The negative space is patterned in relief with small raised diamond shapes.
ABDUA:5571
July 1, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Charcoal - Mourning
Represented here by an Argillite plate. The base is elaborately carved with circles, tobacco leaves, diamonds and curved lines. The negative space is patterned in relief with small raised diamond shapes.
ABDUA:5571
Represented here by an Argillite plate. The base is elaborately carved with circles, tobacco leaves, diamonds and curved lines. The negative space is patterned in relief with small raised diamond shapes.
ABDUA:5571
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
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.