Curator's Chronicles Hello Clocktimers! On 13th September, Dr Laura Young MBE (also Trustee of NMS) and I attended a special ‘Meet the Keeper’ event at the National Museum of Scotland. There we met Keeper Dr Geoff Belnap and Principal Curator of Science and Technology Dr Rebekah Higgitt. They treated us to a tour of the new display of the exceptional 'Earl of Ilay' large equinoctial ring dial, made by Richard Glynne. Dr Alison Morrison-Low tried to buy the Dial previously for the museum (when it was acquired by the John C Taylor Collection), so she is thrilled that the Dial has finally come home. It’s truly a delight to see the dial so beautifully displayed in the Museum. We can’t imagine it having a better new home, where it can be viewed and studied by so many. You can read more about the dial in the article below. On 23rd September I attended a special event honouring recipients of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust QEST. It’s a charity that transforms the careers of talented and aspiring makers by funding their training and education and strengthening the future of the UK’s craft sector. The event, QEST: A celebration of Craft, took place at the Johnnie Walker Experience in my home city of Edinburgh. While there, I caught with up friends Rebecca and Craig Struthers of Struthers Watchmakers. The drawing of their elegant ‘Project 248 Watch’ design was on display, as Craig became a QEST Johnnie Walker Scholar in 2017. He also happened to be wearing the coveted 248 Watch itself. Its black enamel dial and rose gold numerals took my breath away – the watch was absolutely stunning in person. The Clocktime website also recently uploaded a new story on Galileo Galilei. Galileo was the Italian astronomer, physicist, engineer and mathematician who drove the scientific revolution of the 1600’s. The story explains how Galileo’s work underpinned many advances in horological development and chronicles his trials and tribulations. Finally, I’ll be giving an online talk, ‘Starting from Scratch on Social Media’, at the next Scottish Social Heritage Media Group digital event on 2nd December at 2:00 PM. Click here for information about the online event. As ever, I wish you excellent timing. Until next time, enjoy those darker autumnal days. Kristin Leith
