A HORSE-drawn pump dating from 1806 originally stationed at Duns which is thought to be one of the world’s oldest fire engines will take pride of place alongside four other classic fire appliances spanning more than 100 years of fire and rescue history in its new home at the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage.
The pump has been moved by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s fleet team, to mark a major milestone in the museum’s construction ahead of a summer opening.
It has been lovingly restored and will feature alongside dozens of historic and modern exhibits and artefacts including uniforms and equipment at the museum’s new premises at McDonald Road Community Fire Station in Edinburgh.
Kelly McMeekin, Museum Manager, said: “It has been a journey to get to where we are today.
“The appliance installations have made everything feel so real. We are close to opening our doors to the public and our very proud of the work of staff and the amazing volunteers.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a rich and proud heritage which had a profound impact on the evolution of fire and rescue, not only in the UK, but around the world.”
Rounding out the exhibitions are ‘real stories about real people’, interactives and dress up for the entire family with a view to the working fire station’s drill yard.
There has been a museum in Edinburgh dedicated to firefighting in the Lothians since 1968 when it originally opened at McDonald Road Fire Station before moving to its previous location at the old Lauriston Fire Station before closing in 2016.
He said: “I started working at McDonald Road Fire Station in 1969, as a Junior Fireman seconded to the Brigade Training School, a year after the Station first opened and remember visitors from around the world being given tours of the newly established Museum on the site.
“After years of hard work by our dedicated Volunteers and staff, it is great to see the gleaming appliances being installed and the new museum taking shape back in its original home at McDonald Road.
We cannot wait to welcome members of the public, the community, firefighters and tourists to the new museum.”
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