Museums
This museum is a wonderful amalgamation of old and new, both in terms of its architecture and the exhibits. Opened in 1984, it first occupied the 16th-century Provost Ross House on Shiprow. Within a few years the council purchased the nearby Trinity Congregational Church with the view to extend the premises.
In 1997 the two buildings underwent extensive multimillion pound refurbishment with a modern glass and steel link building constructed between the house and the former church.
The distinctive glass building showcases modern offshore oil exhibits, while the older buildings are dedicated to traditional shipbuilding, fishing and harbour industry collections.
On the first level is the introductory display on Aberdeen’s maritime heritage. Visitors can inspect a revolving lens from the Rattray Head lighthouse, built in 1895, and step aboard the Duthie Deckhouse.
The steamer’s original frame and wooden interior are in excellent condition but it is the exhibit suspended in the middle of the link building that really catches the eye.
The 8m-tall model of the Murchison oil platform spans three floors and looks impressive from every angle. Built as a design model in the late 1970s, it shows the internal workings of the platform and the complexity of equipment, pipes, separators and pumps.
Further in there is the Scorpio ROV exhibit, a remote-operated vehicle used for underwater maintenance. A miniature ROV, constructed by the students of the school of engineering at the Robert Gordon University, enables visitors to try their hand at controlling the real thing. It really is more difficult than it looks.
Another distinctive exhibit is a large yellow “Newt suit” for divers. It derives its name from Phil Nuytten, the inventor of the special oil-filled rotary joints in the suits, which are used around the world.
A modest doorway leads to the old Provost House. Contained within its charming period rooms is the picture gallery of maritime artworks, along with umpteen models and photographs which narrate the story of Aberdeen’s longstanding association with shipbuilding and the fishing industry.
Back in the main building visitors are invited to step back in time and inspect a 1920s shipbuilder’s drawing office. Original charts detailing general vessel arrangements and smaller details such as door hinges adorn this fascinating room.
Further on, visitors can experience working life on a North Sea oil platform by stepping inside, and taking charge of, a replica control room. An accommodation module replicates the sleeping quarters and there are displays of safety equipment and workers’ uniforms.
These insightful exhibits are particularly popular with the oil workers’ families who ordinarily struggle to visualise the offshore life of their loved ones.
On the top floor the Aberdeen Harbour Gallery highlights the long history of the magnificent port it overlooks. This exhibition includes objects dating as far back as the 13th century and plans that show the development of the harbour over the centuries. As with the rest of the museum there are interactive exhibits to keep visitors informed and amused.
The museum goes to great lengths to educate and entertain younger visitors too. Children are invited to take part in a quiz which can be completed as they walk around the exhibits. Museum mascot Granite Jack and his parrot appear in the most unlikely places to provide clues.
5 things to see
- Murchison oil platform model
Eight metres tall and spanning three floors, it dominates the open-plan museum - Offshore oil and gas experience
3D film portrays life on the Tern Alpha oil platform - Newt suit
The “hard” suit operates at normal atmospheric pressure and allows for long periods of diving - Scorpio ROV
North Sea ROVs perform tasks such as inspecting pipelines and surveying the seabed - View of Aberdeen harbour
Centre of activity for the offshore oil and gas industry’s marine support operations
- See more photos of the museum in our AMM Gallery.
- Museum update: The 3D film and a new education suite were completed last month and the next stage of improvements will see the oil and gas exhibitions brought up to date.
- AMM was awarded five-star status by Visit Scotland. Entry is free. For more information visit www.aagm.co.uk