Exhibitions

A History of the World objects.

Silver waisted bullet-style teapot, made by an unknown Banff silversmith circa 1715-20.

This teapot is one of the oldest surviving silver teapots in Scotland and is one of the largest existing pieces of Banff silver. The quality of this teapot illustrates that the Banff silversmiths were capable of producing sophisticated silverware equal to that being produced in Edinburgh. 

This object can be seen on show at Banff Museum. Please use the link to check on openinmg times. If you wish to view this teapot outwith the normal seasonal opening hours, please contact us and we can arrange something more suitable.  

Brass Telescope made by Wray of London circa 1880.

Born in 1865 in Longside, Aberdeenshire, Alexander John Smith was the son of a local stonemason but left school at 13 to become a farm worker. Fascinated by the night sky he purchased his Wray telescope (a very expensive purchase for a man on a farm worker’s pay), in the 1880s and became a self-taught astronomer. Throughout his long life he remained an agricultural worker but astronomy was his passion. During his limited spare time he made detailed and accurate scientific notes of his observations in a collection of well-worn notebooks.

This object is in our Headquarters building. Please contact us if you wish to view it.

Exhibitions in the Tempory Display Galleries

We encourage established and emergent new talent to show work. Many displays are curated in-house drawing on the rich and varied museums collections. An active collector of contemporary works, the service also displays early examples of artistic significance.

Joint project events are also held throughout the Shire.

In addition, artwork, objects and photographs are toured to a number of our other museums and a range of travelling loan displays circulated. Cased exhibits are available on loan to schools and other bodies-some with accompanying activity sheets, notes and talks on request.

The Arbuthnot Museum houses Aberdeenshire’s largest Gallery space.

Recent examples of Arbuthnot Exhibitions are  - ‘Children of the Tsunami ‘– featuring artwork by children affected by the Tsunami (courtesy of Stuart Noble), Sheila Mair retrospective works, marine paintings by Tommy Summers and Celtic illustrations by Alistair Bain.

Particularly notable displays have been our Museums and Galleries Month 2007 themed show and current Archaeology Month exhibition.

Please select your museum’s name and site location to find out what is happening in your area.

An example of one of our latest loan cases is ‘Egyptians’ which has proved popular with all ages.

Individuals or groups are welcome to apply for exhibition space. Please contact Museums HQ on 01779 622807 or museums@aberdeenshire.gov.uk for further information.