NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND
LGBTQIA+ Hidden Histories Trail
LGBTQIA+ stories have often been kept out of mainstream history, so we are keen to make them visible. We are committed to collaborating with communities to make these histories better known and understood.
The LGBTQIA+ Hidden Histories Trail features ten objects found on Levels 1, 3 and 5 at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland. Download the trail and listen to the accompanying audio for each object below.
This trail is a collaboration between young people from Impact Arts, LGBT Youth Scotland and our Scotland 365 youth engagement team with National Museums Scotland to highlight LGBTQIA+ stories across our collections.
We hope you have enjoyed our trail. This is only the beginning of our work exploring LGBTQIA+ histories in our collections, with more to come over time. During 2019–2020, participants with the Impact Arts Creative Pathways +18 employability programme worked alongside National Museums Scotland to create this trail and audio guide. The young people selected objects, researched stories and developed the trail content, supported by NMS. With thanks to Impact Arts participants Dylan, Ivy, Hannah, and Stuart. Additional thanks to Gareth and Laura from National Museums Scotland, and to the LGBT Youth Scotland Consultation Group (Finn, Tom, Ivy, Zoel, Wren and Simon) and members of our Scotland 365 Youth Engagement Team.
LGBTQIA+ is a term used to show the different ways people define their gender and sexuality, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual. Language and definitions are constantly evolving, but this is the term agreed by the young people as the most inclusive.
30 mins
Introduction
National Museum of Scotland
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0:34
1. Stained and painted glass panel showing portrait of James VI and I, 1619
Level 1, Kingdom of the Scots.
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1:08
2. Iron collar or jougs, Fife, 17th century
Level 1, Kingdom of the Scots.
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1:00
3. Alexander McQueen Boots, Leather and Mink, 2012
Level 1, Fashion and Style
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0:55
4. Enigma encoding machine, German, 1944
Level 3, Communicate.
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1:11
5. Ceramic dish, by Emmanuel Cooper, 1998
Level 3, Making and Creating.
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0:39
6. Statue of St Sebastian, painted oak, German, c. 1480 – 1490
Level 5, Art of Living.
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0:46
7. Painted scroll, Japan, c.1700
Level 5, Exploring East Asia.
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0:43
8. Silver coins depicting Alexander the Great, c.325–285 BC Ancient Egypt Rediscovered
Level 5, Ancient Egypt Rediscovered.
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1:01
9. Amphora showing Herakles and the Amazons, c.550–500 BC Inspired by Nature
Level 5, Inspired by Nature.
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0:41
10. Embroidery, by May Morris c.1900
Level 5, Design for Living.
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0:48
Acknowledgements
National Museum of Scotland
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1:16
Credits
Audio transcript recording by Lauren Jane Ross, supported by Media Education, with thanks to Sanctuary Queer Arts.
