Provost Skene’s House

Provost Skene’s House

Aberdeen City Council

We have recently completed the refurbishment of Provost Skene’s House, the oldest surviving townhouse in Aberdeen dating from 1545. Developed as an exciting new visitor attraction, the displays celebrate the pioneering people of Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland who have shaped the city and helped to transform the world. Spread over four floors, there are 12 themed galleries which explore a range of people from scientists, singers and sportspeople to authors, inventors and actors – game-changers across the generations.

The new displays are highly interactive and combine museum objects, graphics, film and digital displays with hands-on games and activities, designed to appeal to a broad family audience. The displays encourage visitors to explore individual stories as well as discovering how Aberdeen evolved as a city. We developed the ground floor vaults as a Hall of Heroes, with those honoured selected by public vote. Combining digital animations projected onto a number of busts with a specially commissioned soundtrack, the Hall of Heroes creates an immersive experience and will be updated as new heroes are voted into the gallery.

The new displays have an emphasis on interactivity, combining both high and low tech interactives.

The new displays have an emphasis on interactivity, combining both high and low tech interactives.

“

Everywhere you look, there is something to catch your eye and delight you … seeing George Washington Wilson’s photos in stereoscope is jaw-dropping, and you can listen to the late, lamented storyteller Stanley Robertson reading to you.

The Press and Journal

World Firsts focuses on some of Aberdeen and the North-East’s great inventors. A central discovery table invites hands-on exploration.

World Firsts focuses on some of Aberdeen and the North-East’s great inventors. A central discovery table invites hands-on exploration.

“

They consistently met deadlines and throughout the project I felt we had 100% commitment. Studioarc’s ongoing open communication combined with care and attention to detail has been impressive.

Christine Rew, Art Gallery and Museum Manager (former)

This low-tech interactive uses fabrics to allow visitors to create different designs inspired by fashion designer Bill Gibb.

This low-tech interactive uses fabrics to allow visitors to create different designs inspired by fashion designer Bill Gibb.

Curious Minds features objects and interactives inspired by the natural world.

Curious Minds features objects and interactives inspired by the natural world.

Brass rubbings with associated audio chart the story of William MacGillivrary’s epic walk from Aberdeen to London.

Curious Minds features objects and interactives inspired by the natural world.

Wizard Wordsmiths explores the literary legacy of Aberdeen and the North-East through a book-inspired display incorporating objects, digital media, audio and interactives.

Wizard Wordsmiths explores the literary legacy of Aberdeen and the North-East through a book-inspired display incorporating objects, digital media, audio and interactives.

Our Sporting Champions display incorporates an uplifting film delivered as a triptych and taking reference from sporting podiums.

Our Sporting Champions display incorporates an uplifting film delivered as a triptych and taking reference from sporting podiums.

“

This is an amazing attraction! I love it. My kids love it. You’re going to love it! It tells the stories of over 100 people and their amazing achievements. It’s just a brilliant attraction.

Jo Robinson, Regional Director, VisitScotland

Getting hands-on with one of the low-tech interactives.

Getting hands-on with one of the low-tech interactives.

International Trailblazers brings together people from Aberdeen and the North-East who made their mark across the world. The displays are grouped by continent and encourage audience participation and exploration.

International Trailblazers brings together people from Aberdeen and the North-East who made their mark across the world. The displays are grouped by continent and encourage audience participation and exploration.

A hands-on jigsaw allows visitors to learn about goods which the Chivas Brothers imported to their Aberdeenshire shop in the 1840s.

A hands-on jigsaw allows visitors to learn about goods which the Chivas Brothers imported to their Aberdeenshire shop in the 1840s.

Making magic and discovering tricks inspired by the ’Magician of the North’, John Henry Anderson – the first person to pull a rabbit from a hat.

A hands-on jigsaw allows visitors to learn about goods which the Chivas Brothers imported to their Aberdeenshire shop in the 1840s.

World Innovators celebrates cultural exchange and innovation through the stories of people such as Leslie Benzies, video game producer to 19th century opera singer, Mary Garden.

World Innovators celebrates cultural exchange and innovation through the stories of people such as Leslie Benzies, video game producer to 19th century opera singer, Mary Garden.

Hands-on participation inspired by James Clark Maxwell’s experiment which produced the world’s first colour photograph.

Hands-on participation inspired by James Clark Maxwell’s experiment which produced the world’s first colour photograph.

Multitouch screen in World Life Savers encourages learning through game play inspired by some of the city’s most celebrated medical pioneers.

Multitouch screen in World Life Savers encourages learning through game play inspired by some of the city’s most celebrated medical pioneers.

Visitors end their vist in Tomorrow’s Heroes where they can take their own picture and see it digitally displayed on the gallery walls. Here they can also vote for the next hero to be featured in the ground-floor Hall of Heroes gallery.

Visitors end their vist in Tomorrow’s Heroes where they can take their own picture and see it digitally displayed on the gallery walls. Here they can also vote for the next hero to be featured in the ground-floor Hall of Heroes gallery.

You might also like...

The Scottish Cup Gallery

The Scottish Cup Gallery

Rangers Museum

Rangers Museum

Adventure Planet

Adventure Planet