Design for a Christmas card from 1903 by William Martin
whilst on Laurie Island. Martin started as a member of the crew and
later became part of the scientific team.
Intrepid explorer
William Speirs Bruce (1867-1921) was one of the most
experienced polar explorers of his generation. In a career spanning
28 years he participated in two Antarctic and eleven Arctic
expeditions. His greatest achievement was his leadership of the
Scottish National Antarctic Expedition (1902-1904) aboard the ship
Scotia. The expedition was organised and financed almost
entirely from Scotland – it was a ‘private’ expedition which
received no British government funding.
Bruce explained:
‘While ‘Science’ was the talisman of the Expedition,
‘Scotland’ was emblazoned on its flag: and it may be that, in
endeavouring to serve humanity by adding another link to the golden
chain of science, we have also shown that the nationality of
Scotland is a power that must be reckoned with.’
Serious scientist
Unlike his contemporaries, Robert Falcon Scott or Roald
Amundsen, Bruce was not a daring adventurer:
‘To reach the North Pole or South Pole is an athletic feat
which may be put on the same level as an olympic race or gymnastic
performance. It is not serious scientific work and can not in
itself benefit mankind.’
It was in this very museum, in 1903, that he exhibited the
state-of-the-art clothing and equipment he was planning to use on
the expedition. After his death, we acquired many of the biological
and zoological specimens that he collected.
Photo gallery
Click on the images below to see images of some of the specimens
Bruce collected, and the equipment he used.
More amazing stories
This is just one of the amazing stories you'll encounter when
you visit Treasured. You'll also discover the extraordinary lives
of inspirational Scots such as:
- geologist and writer Hugh Miller
- travel writer and painter Constance Frederica
Gordon-Cumming
- collector of Japanese antiquities Dr Gordon Munro.