Media Advisory – Heart of Midlothian FC, Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh EH11 2NL, Friday 05 July 2024

You are invited to send a reporter, camera team, photographer, to the preview and opening of the Royal Scots Regimental Museum’s Outreach Exhibition at Tynecastle Park on Friday 05 July 2024 at 09:00 for 09:15. 

The exhibition explores the history of the Regiment and its enduring links to Hearts FC and to communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians, and is part of Heart of Midlothian FC’s 150^th Anniversary Celebrations.  (full news release for exhibition attached).

The exhibition will be opened by Susie Hamilton, Scottish Veterans Commissioner at 10:00. 

Media preview detail

Date:                            Friday 05 July 2024.

Timing:                         Meet 09:00 for 09:15.

Location:                      The European Suite at Tynecastle Park (Stadium). EH11 2NL.

Meet volunteer hosts at main door of the new Main Stand.

Contact:                       Colonel Martin Gibson, the Royal Scots Museum’s Outreach Team

Exhibition Opening:      09:15 – Exhibition preview – Tea and coffee will be served from 09:15

10:00 – Susie Hamilton, Scottish Veterans Commissioner, will open the exhibition

Others in attendance:   Heart of Midlothian FC:

John Robertson, Hearts leading goalscorer (and all-round legend!)

Ann Park, Director, Community & Partnerships

Lianne Parry, Head of Heritage

Julia McKenzie, Museums & Collections Specialist

Mia Weintraub, International Intern

Former Royal Scots soldiers:

Apolosi Vanowale, former Fijian rugby international

Andy Stewart, Scotland Water Polo

Andy Gilmour

Tony Reid, Scotland boxer and referee   

                                    Exhibition hosts

Exhibition Details

Timing              Friday 05 – Wednesday 10 July. 10:00 – 16:30 daily.  Free admission.

Location           European Suite, Hearts FC / Tynecastle Park EH11 2NL

Purpose            To reach out and engage with the people of Edinburgh and the Lothians, in the heart of the Regiment’s former recruiting area, as part of Hearts’ 150th Anniversary Celebrations.

To explore the history of the Regiment and its enduring links to Hearts FC and to communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Content           

See and experience:

• The story of McCrae’s Battalion (the 16^th Battalion, The Royal Scots) and the connection between The Royal Scots and Heart of Midlothian FC, the first Club footballers in the UK to volunteer to fight for their country at the outbreak of World War 1.
• The Campaigns of the Regiment since 1914, including The Somme (1916) and Kohima (1944) illustrated through a series of Soldiers’ Stories (info attached).
• The importance of Sport  and team work in the Army, illustrated through the international sporting success of professional soldiers and the Regiment’s long standing links to professional football in Edinburgh.

Hosts               

A wide range of experienced and engaging individuals to narrate the story:

• ‘Pontius Pilate’s Bodyguard’ – former Royal Scots with a passion for sharing the Regiment’s unique history
• Fijian rugby playing Royal Scots veteran, Lance Corporal Apolosi Vanowale
• Personalities from Heart of Midlothian FC sharing their famous heritage in their 150th year
• The Royal Scots Museum’s Curator and its Outreach team alongside Military and Family Researchers helping visitors uncover their Regimental connections