During the reign of Queen Victoria, Scotland was transformed
into an industrial and urban society. The changes affected life
inside and outside the home.
Effects of industry
Providing for the needs of the huge numbers of people who came
to live in towns and cities was a key Victorian issue. Look at some
of the problems that arose, how they were tackled, and how life,
particularly in the cities, was changing.
Contrast the popular image of a romantic Highland Scotland and
some of the realities of Victorian urban life (Cases 1 and 2) and
the need to deal with slum conditions.
Home and society
Home and family offered security in uncertain times. But even
here things were changing, with the introduction of new, affordable
products and improved sanitation (Case 4).
Meanwhile, outside the home, increased opportunities were
developing for working people through education, libraries, museums
and entertainment.
Leisure time
Over the century, the time for leisure increased. Factory acts
reduced working hours and delayed the working age of children.
There was more time for children to play, both at home and in the
street, and for adults to take part in sport and other leisure
activities. You can see a range of toys and sporting accessories in
Case 15.
Travel and tourism also took off at this time, with trips to the
seaside a new alternative available even to poorer people (Case
16).
Rewards of industry
People had more money in their pockets and consumer spending
took off. Much of what department stores offered for sale was
mass-produced and relatively inexpensive: you can see many examples
of the kind of goods on offer.
Art on commission
Those who could afford something more exclusive could commission
work from the many innovative artists and designers who were making
names for themselves. Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Sir Robert
Lorimer are two of the best known, and you can see works by them on
display.
Women artists
Women were playing an increasingly important part in Scotland's
artistic life. Part of the display on commissioning is devoted to
the work of Phoebe Traquair, Jessie M King and others. Phoebe
Traquair, who lived and worked in Edinburgh, is represented by
jewellery and bookbindings (Case 8). The range and vitality of some
of the leading Glasgow-based women artists is shown in Case 9.