Most early people probably lived out their lives without moving
more than a few kilometres from their place of birth. But there
were other ways in which they became aware of wider horizons. All
kinds of goods came from further afield, some from thousands of
kilometres away. Travellers and incomers brought with them new
objects and new ideas.
Getting around
Scotland is a country of islands, lochs and rivers, and it was
often easier to move people and goods by water than by land. The
Getting around display begins by looking at boats, for example the
log boats carved from a single tree trunk used for navigating
rivers and lochs.
However, often the only option was to travel on foot. Carts
pulled by oxen or horses were being used by 1000 BC and the Romans
built a road system through southern Scotland.
Moving things, travelling people
The Moving things, travelling people display shows how objects,
ideas and people moved around the country, and often came to
Scotland over great distances. Objects moved from place to place
within Scotland, some exchanged, some as gifts or booty. The hoard
found at Balmashanner, north of Dundee, shows a mix of
goods with origins in northern and central Europe, England, Ireland
and Scotland.
Things to see
See artefacts from Viking, Romans and European peoples, brought
to Scotland through travel or exchange, including magnificent gold
and metal jewellery, and see the influence of diverse regional
styles on artisan craft and everyday objects.