29 Jun 2023

Opening on Thursday, 29 June, the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage is a new attraction designed to charm people of all ages and interests. Visitors will be able to explore five themes within the museum, which brings a touch of modern technology and interactive displays to the experience.

The museum is located at the site of McDonald Road Fire Station in the heart of Edinburgh. The entrance can be found via Dryden Terrace. Kelly McMeekin is the Manager of Museum and Heritage at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and has been working on the project for several years.

Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage

Kelly McMeekin said: "We are so excited to open our doors and finally welcome visitors to the museumIt brings the fire and rescue service’s rich history to life from the early days to the present and shows how firefighting is ever-evolving through time."

She adds, "Visitors can delve into stories of The Edinburgh Fire Establishment, the oldest municipal fire brigade in the UK, formed by James Braidwood almost 200 years ago in 1824."

Well-preserved antique fire engines

It also holds collections of well-preserved antique fire engines and historical uniforms worn by firefighters during significant fires in Scotland's history. The museum is open weekly from Tuesday to Saturday between 10 am and 4 pm.