Monday 14th April sees Ullapool Museum launch the display of its unique new acquisition, a pair of early 19th c. duelling pistols. A private viewing will be held for members of the Press at 1.30pm.
At 2.00pm there will be a private viewing for the donors who pledged money, prior to our bid for the pistols.
(This consists of:- grants from the National Fund for Acquisitions (administered by the National Museums of Scotland), the Highland Council’s Discretionary Ward Budget (Wester Ross, Strathpeffer & Lochalsh) and £1,800 in pledges made locally in response to our appeal in the Ullapool News.
At 3.00pm the Museum will then be open to the public, to view the pistols and look around the museum, including the changes we have made over the winter.
The pistols originally belonged to Major Robert Melville, the British Fisheries Society’s first agent in Ullapool after 1788. The pistols are inscribed: ‘presented by the subordinate officers of the Ullapool Corps as a mark of their esteem, to Major R. Melvill, [sic] their commanding officer…1802’.
Melville was a colourful character, known as the ‘little Emperor of Ullapool’. He was an entrepreneur, merchant and Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Ross. Along with Thomas Telford, he was a key player in the development of the village. His later years were marred by financial problems, and in 1808 his many Ullapool properties and furnishings were sold in a public auction. He remained in debt to the British Fisheries Society until his death in 1812.
The Museum secured these special objects thanks to financial assistance from Highland Council and the National Fund for Acquisitions, and from locally pledged donations.
Ullapool Board Member Helen Avenell said, ’Acquiring these pistols is a fantastic achievement for the Museum. They are a wonderful addition to the collections and they will help us in telling the story of the development of the village of Ullapool and the surrounding area. We sincerely thank both our funders and the local community for their support and hope that local residents will take the time to pop in to the Museum and have a look at these wonderful objects‘.
Members of the Press will have the opportunity to photograph the objects and interview members of the Ullapool Museum Trust instrumental in the acquisition.
Refreshments will be served.
Heritage North