26 Treasures

From 1st December 2011 - 29 January 2012 we are bringing Scotland's historical treasures to life at the National Museum of Scotland, telling stories from Scotland's geological roots to its technological future. Treasure indeed. 

 

creation scotland

Before we reveal our writers’ 26 responses on 30 November, we’d like to share their stories.

In April 2011, each writer received a brief. ’Please respond to your chosen treasure in 62 words.’ Some cheered because it sounded easy, some sighed because they realised how difficult this challenge would be. But every writer responded with something unique. How? You can read their creation story below. It’s the tale of how they met their treasure and how they reached their 62 words. We’ll post a couple a week in the run-up to the exhibition.

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Bute Mazer, Elspeth Murray

Much of the inspiration for my 26 Treasures...

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Queen Mary Harp, Sara Sheridan

To say I’m not musical is an...

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Sporran clasp with four concealed pistols, Stuart Delves

Imagine. A November evening not so long...

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Suit of Tartan Ross, Kate Tough

Learning which object I’d been...

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Bionic Hand, Lucy Harland

I love deadlines...

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Daniel Laidlaw's Victoria Cross, J F Derry

I was a typical prepubescent boy: Commando...

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Coigrich, Linda Cracknell

I love the kind of writing commission which...

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Lewisian Gneiss, Janette Currie

My object is the...

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Govan Rent Strike Rattle, Christine Finn

Mary Barbour’s rattle...

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Serf's Collar, Vivien Jones

I’m eight years old again. Sat in the...

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Arthur's Seat Miniature Coffins, Ronnie MacKintosh

On the wall above my desk is a copy of...

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Towie Ball, Collette Davis

I was meant to go to Orkney today but a wise...

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Instrument of Authority, David Manderson

It would be me, somehow, that got the...

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Cramond Lioness, Stephen Potts

Modern 26 treasures have a provenance...

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The Maiden, James Robertson

‘A beheading machine’ is an...

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Gown of Repentence, Jamie Jauncey

lone in a glass case in the Church section...

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Darien Chest, Lee Randall

Last weekend I went to the museum to commune...

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Peden's Mask and Wig, Fiona Thompson

My first reaction to the mask and wig of...

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Westlothiana Lizziae, Aimee Chalmers

A wee bookie poems bi Marion Angus (1865 -...

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The King's Prize at Leith, Sarah Burnett

I have probably passed my golden teapot many...

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Prince Charles Edward Stuart's Travelling Canteen, Harriet Smart

Mention Bonnie Prince Charlie and I find my...

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Napier's Bones, A J McIntosh

On a morning of dense fog in November 1972,...

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Drag Chains for BAE ship, Joan Lennon

26Treasures comes to The National...