Somewhere in the National Museum of Scotland, but apparently not under the roof of the Grand Gallery, there is the foundation stone. Laid by Prince Albert in 1861, it was his last public appearance before his death. It was a pretty large foundation stone he laid. One half of it contained a glass jar. Ok that doesn’t make it sound big but look what the jar contained:
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- a copy of the Edinburgh directory;
- Oliver and Boyd’s Almanac;
- a glass jar containing the following gold and silver coins: a sovereign, a half sovereign, 5s, 2s, 6d, 2s, 1s, 6d, 4d and 3d., besides a penny, a half penny and a farthing in bronze;
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Johnson’s view of the building and the Post Office; - Johnson’s new plan of the city;
- Lectures etc in connection with the Industrial Museum by the late Professor George Wilson;
- also a portrait engraving;
- Lecture by Professor Archer to the Chamber of Commerce;
- Hislop’s Postal Sheet for October 1861;
- Hislop’s Time-Gun plan of the city of Edinburgh;
- the Edinburgh newspapers of the 23 October 1861.”
Bizarrely though, given the size of the stone and the grandeur of the stone laying ceremony, no one apparently knows exactly where the foundation stone is. Maybe someone will unravel the mystery and enlighten us one of these days.
Imagine the excitement if you were the one to find the missing stone!
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Ooh you’ve reminded me, the museum got in touch. I must chase for an uodate!
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What a fascinating story! It’s one of the places I used to explore regularly while living in Edinburgh but never knew about the foundation stone. Thanks for sharing, we learn something new every day, isn’t? Aiva 😊
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Thank you so much for your lovely feedback, and I know it is fascinating about the foundation stone. Apparently there may be an update on its location, I am just waiting to hear from the museum so as soon as I hear I’ll prepare another post 🙂
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Yes, please if there’s an update regarding the foundation stone, prepare another post! Can’t wait to find out more about it! 😊
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Hi Becky Happy New Year. I love this wonderful post that you did. That is very interesting that they cannot find the stone. Here’s my first post for your squares challenge. I hope you like it. https://queennandini.wordpress.com/2020/01/12/candlelight-sunlight-moonlight-and-festivals-of-lights-for-my-first-becky-squares-post/
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and a very happy New Year to you, as well as a very warm welcome to squares. Delighted you can join us
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Thanks Becky for the wonderful welcome and New Years wishes!
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And a very Happy New year to you too
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nice rooflights and how curious that they cannot find the stone.
I bet that technology might able to help us in the future e- maybe some infrared tech or something. ??
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The museum has contacted me to say there may be an update, I am just waiting for their email so will keep you posted!
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How exciting – I love learning more about cultural things and blogging gives us this global connection –
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I am so excited . . .email however has yet to arrive!!
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