have problems. But my god. we rise to a challenge.‘ If there's something wrong. we effect change. and we adapt. And this whole gallery is about continuity and change. The histon of the 21st (‘entury hasn't been set yet. and we're hoping that the gallery will evolve around it.‘
She prepares to set off round the gallery again. dodging the plastic sheeting and drill cables that will soon make way for one of the most ambitious exhibitions in the Museum‘s history.
‘Look at these objects. Read these people‘s stories. Look at what we‘ve got here. You know. maybe the trouble with Scots is that we don‘t want to blow our own trumpet enough.‘
War ‘The First World War was one of the earliest events in the 20th Century to effect major
Cockwise from far left: the War section; Robert Burns promoting Scotland; digitally- printed Diaspora tartan; WWI medals; a Hogmanay postcard; Oor Wullie; a Louis Vuitton suit in Harris Need; the Bay City Rollers; translated Harry Potter
change.‘ says Barrie. ‘so it made sense to start the exhibition looking at a theme that can cause that sort of upheaval‘.
Alongside recruitment posters showing how the cheery kilted figure of the Scottish Soldier was made into a cult icon. there are personal histories from pipers. emancipated female ambulance drivers and one from a girl who started corresponding with the troops dtrring WW2.
‘She got a letter back from an 18 year-old serving in the Arctic convoy. We’ve got the letters here. He‘s saying. 'I was a boy. and now I‘m a man.‘ The rate of survival on those ships was pretty grim. you know. She was 12 years- old. getting this letter and her emotions were going all over the place. And I defy anyone reading that correspondence. from ()0 years ago. between these two kids whose lives were changing for ever. not to feel it. That‘s the kind of heart-wrenching wee personal stories we've fotrnd. that we want people to see in this gallery.‘
Entertainment
‘()h. where do you start with Scottish entertainers'." asks Barrie. 'There’s such a wealth! Stanley Baxter to Sharleen Spiteri. JK Rowling. ()or Wullie. Moira Shearer. The Corries and The Bay (‘ity Rollers. (‘an't forget them. they were the first boy band. Yes. we invented the boy band. Let‘s claim that one as welll‘
Many of the figures she mentions have donated artefacts to the gallery. A pair of tartan-trimmed Rollers breeks hang beside a set of signed Harry
3— 11' Jul 2008 THE LIST 15