Three of Scotland’s greatest writers, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott, unite under one roof to have their lives and works showcased for the masses in what is a sadly underwhelming display, ill-fitting of the legacy these literary greats leave. Masses of text and the most random assortment of items with often very tenuous links to the writers themselves leave viewers wanting more from the writers which have given Scotland so much, and all drowned out by audio that is meant to enhance, but actually detracts from many of the items on display.
Split into their own sections of the very small museum, viewers are offered a glance into their lives, which reveal little more than where they lived when writing some of their most famous works and what brand of cigarette they smoked (if you think I’m joking, I absolutely am not). From a headboard of one of their beds to artefacts in-keeping of the place they lived for a section of their lives, to even a plaster cast of Robert Burns’ skull for some ungodly reason, the accumulation of random things assembled and called an exhibition feels akin to a car boot sale or the attic of your grandparents’ house.
The intricate artistry of several pieces are commendable and an actual testament to these writers’ skills, a commissioned platter on the centenary of Louis Stevenson’s death by Luckenbooth being the clear highlight among everything else, and several watercolours captivating the mind with their beauty, but as none were made by the writers or their close friends, it all feels as expositional as a Star Wars opening crawl, adding little to the information the rest of the museum tries to convey.
I do appreciate the Makars’ Court balcony, celebrating other Scottish writers whom have impacted their country and culture, both living and deceased, in what feels like a genuinely heartfelt finale to a museum of checkbox work and case filling for the sake of it. The list of writers included is extensive and helps to bridge the gap between past and present, for the writers of the future who are viewing it.
A good attempt at a cultural landmark has been imagined and an actual attempt has been made, but The Writers’ Museum pales in comparison to the variety of cultural attractions the city of Edinburgh has to offer. Whilst they cannot be asked themselves, I have no doubt that the writers at the centre of this museum would find their own galleries unusual if not downright strange, and would leave wondering whether the people of Edinburgh actually enjoy their work, with the tribute here feeling like a last-minute school project gone awry.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
The Writers’ Museum is located in Edinburgh, Scotland
