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Favourite Artefact | Johnenry Tunstall, volunteer

    I have volunteered at the Castle and Museum for many years now. The collection is so fascinating that my favourite object often changes as I discover all the hidden gems that lie within the galleries and archives. Right now, my museum highlight can be found in the turret room in gallery four. It … Read more

Why do we remember with the Poppy?

Poppies were a common sight, especially on the Western Front. They flourished in the soil churned up by the fighting and shelling. The flower provided Canadian doctor John McCrae with inspiration for his poem ‘In Flanders Fields‘, which he wrote whilst serving in Ypres in 1915. It was first published in Punch, having been rejected … Read more

Tom Piper, designer of Poppies Weeping Window talks about the sculpture at The Black Watch Castle and Museum

  On 30 June we opened another installation, the first in Mainland Scotland, of the Weeping Window at The Black Watch Museum in Perth. The site was chosen as having a perfect blend of Historical significance and architectural beauty. The sculpture is sited with the poppies pouring out of a corner turret on the Castle, … Read more

Poppy Partner, Elizabeth Sime talks about her experience.

  Until recently, my only connection with Balhousie Castle, was to occasionally enjoy a cup of tea and a delicious scone in the café. I also have a family link with the Regiment as my husband’s uncle, Private William John Morrison, had served with The Black Watch in Cyprus, 1957-1959. In February this year, my … Read more

Creating Creating the Weeping Window at Balhousie Castle

  I was thrilled and honoured to be involved with the installation of Poppies: Weeping Window at The Black Watch Castle and Museum. Staff from Perth Museum & Art Gallery, including myself and my colleague Amy, were invited to help install the ceramic poppies at Balhousie Castle alongside the team from 14-18 NOW and volunteers. … Read more

10 facts about Poppies: Weeping Window

10 facts about Poppies: Weeping Window

'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' poppy installation at the Tower of London to mark the centenary of the First World War.

1. The sculptures of Weeping Window and Wave were initially conceived as the key dramatic elements in the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London in the autumn of 2014. More than five million people visited the display.

2. The Weeping Window sculpture is a cascade comprising several thousand handmade ceramic poppies seen pouring from a high window to the ground below.

3. Each Poppy is hand crafted by Paul Cummins dedicated team.

4. Each ceramic poppy represents the life of a British and Colonial soldier who died in the First World War.

5. The ceramic poppies were created by artist Paul Cummins and the installation designed by Tom Piper.

6. Nearly 1 million people have seen the sculptures in UK locations including Yorkshire Sculpture Park, St George’s Hall in Liverpool, St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney, Lincoln Castle and cascading from the No.1 Heapstead at Woodhorn Museum. 14-18 NOW are yet to announce the 2017 and 2018 locations.

7. The most recent venue to host Weeping Window was St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney, where it became part of the Battle of Jutland commemorations. Whilst on display in Orkney it was viewed by over 40,000 visitors

8. The display of Weeping Window at Woodhorn Museum was seen by 125,000 visitors. Whilst at St George’s hall in Liverpool, it was viewed by 360,000 people.

9. The next venue to host Weeping Window will be Caernarfon Castle, Cardiff form 12th October to 20th November 2016

10. The sculptures will end their tour at Imperial War Museum, North and Imperial War Museum, London in the autumn of 2018. The sculptures will then be gifted to the Imperial War Museums.

Image Credit: Richard Lea-Hair and Historic Royal Palaces

Favourite artefacts | Shona Lowerson-Head

Shonagh Lowerson-Head, our learning and audiences officer tells us about her favourite object in the collection. My favourite object in the museum is not the oldest, the rarest or most impressive artefact on display. In fact, in isolation it is really quite unremarkable. A musket ball. What makes this object so special is its story. … Read more

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