Objects telling the story of Scottish Canals’ unique design and engineering history are to go on display at V&A Dundee, Scotland’s first museum of design, this weekend.
Scottish Canals have loaned two objects to the museum that highlight the incredible design and engineering ingenuity of Scotland’s canals. On display is an original diagram for the Monkland Canal’s Blackhill Inclined Plane, a precursor to The Falkirk Wheel, which used steam technology to carry boats over a height difference of almost 100 feet.
This stands alongside an architect’s model of The Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first and only rotating boat lift. One of Scotland’s busiest tourist attractions, The Wheel attracts visitors from all over the world keen to marvel at the working sculpture which combines modern engineering and technology with ancient principles set out by Archimedes more than 2000 years ago.
Spanning a period of some 150 years, these two objects help to showcase Scotland’s design and innovation heritage.
“We’re delighted that V&A Dundee have chosen to display two objects from our collections, which provide a real insight into the elegant design and engineering of Scotland’s canals. We are very excited that the public will be able to view these objects in such a beautiful space, and for the very first time.”
The only V&A museum in the world outside London, V&A Dundee will open its doors to the public on 15th September. Visitors will experience the remarkable story of design past, present and future, and the vital contribution design makes to all our lives.
To plan your visit or for more information please visit the V&A Dundee website.