Our Collections & Exhibitions

From hobby horses to 'bone shakers', to penny-farthings, to today's modern carbon fibre racing bikes, Grampian Transport Museum's History of the Cycle exhibition spans two centuries of progress, ingenuity and invention on two wheels (and more!)

We have an array of fascinating and noteworthy bicycles on display, each with its own story and unique relevance to the heritage of cycling. 

Whether used for work, play or serious racing, the evolution of the bicycle represents a unique angle from which to read the history of society — one that is often overlooked in today’s modern world.

Our exhibition tells the story of the invention that became a transportation revolution, as well as the trials and tribulations of early adopters and how technology changed and adapted to suit new uses. Visitors can even get a feel for the early days by mounting our Penny Farthing — which is something of a gymnastic skill!

With Scotland’s long history of engineering innovation, it should come as no surprise that as motorcars began to appear in Germany and France, Scotland was quick to take an interest.

The first car was imported by George Johnston of the Hydepark Locomotive Works, Springburn, Glasgow, who was keen to assess its merits. The car, a Daimler, was closely followed by a Panhard et Levassor and both arrived at Leith docks in October 1895. 

The first steps had been taken towards a Scottish Motor Industry.

Arrol-Johnston, Albion and Argyll — the famous 3 A’s — are the best remembered Scottish car makers, but there were many other pioneering attempts to establish car manufacturing in Scotland — a story that was repeated throughout the world. 

The Made in Scotland exhibition at Grampian Transport Museum features examples from all 3 manufacturers and explores the Scottish pioneers of these early days of motoring. 

Before the first railway tracks were laid, Britain boasted a reliable transport system that was the envy of the world.

Stagecoaches were fast and incredibly punctual — many carried passengers from Edinburgh to Aberdeen in just over twelve hours, employing as many as sixty horses on any one run.

The Horse Power exhibition at Grampian Transport Museum features various coaches of importance from this remarkable era, including a postal stagecoach from 1847, a ‘travelling chariot’ owned by a local family in the early 19th century and a Brougham carriage – popular with commuters and taxi services throughout the 19th century. It tells the story of Captain Barclay of Ury and John Croall of Edinburgh — two of Scotland's most notable stagecoach proprietors.

Also featured is a collection of postal service paraphernalia from the perilous era of highwaymen and armed post guards, as well as a plotted history of the coaching period – from the first carriage to the advent of the railway, which would ultimately spell the end of an era.