iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Museums certainly do change lives. My life was changed by museums and I am blessed to see this effect with our communities. I'm very proud that my lovely workplace @devilsporridge.bsky.social is one of the brilliant museums celebrated in this report.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Summer solstice sunrise at the Twelve Apostles near Dumfries.

Sunlight showing dazzling rays through a notch in a megalith.

A haze of light along the horizon ahead of sunrise. An oak tree and a megalith are seen as silhouettes.

A photograph of a megalith in the stone circle amid long grass with the sun beginning to show on the horizon.

The sun shining as it has risen above the horizon, casting light over the field of long grasses and wildflowers. In the foreground is a fallen megalith with harebells growing in a crack in the stone.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Local history in Lego... On this day in 1306, Robert the Bruce slays John Comyn, his rival for the throne, at the high altar of Greyfriars monastery in Dumfries before declaring himself King of Scots.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Just about to start a talk to Collin SWI about folklore and the @cruckcottage.bsky.social

A screen with the title slide 'The Folklore of Protecting the Home'.

A selection of folklore artefacts including a witch bottle, elf shot, and hag stones.

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Reposted by Tom Hughes

The Devil's Porridge Museum @devilsporridge.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Hello. We're new here. 👋 Wondering what devil's porridge is? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle coined the phrase to describe the explosive materials he saw munitions workers at H.M. Factory Gretna mixing in large pans. They were making cordite. Please don't eat devil's porridge. 💥 #DevilsPorridge #WW1history

Two munitions workers mixing cordite in large nitrating pans inside H.M. Factory Gretna. This is a black and white archive photo from the past.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

The Twelve Apostles on a frosty morning.

A photograph of standing stones in the Twelve Apostles stone circle. The grass has been clipped short by the sheep and there is a layer of frost. The sun is dazzling in a cool blue sky.

A photograph of some of the standing stones in the circle with hills on the horizon.

A photograph of one of the largest standing stones in the circle with the sun shining out from behind the tip of the stone.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Winter solstice sunrise at the Twelve Apostles, Holywood, Dumfries

A photograph of a standing stone within a circle, with the sun rising over a tree lined horizon.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Happy St Andrew's Day. Saltire over Lincluden Abbey, Dumfries

Photo showing white condensation trails from planes forming a saltire shape in the blue sky over the ruins of Lincluden Abbey.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Reflecting on some of the fantastic community projects I've been lucky to be involved in during my time with D&G Museums. It's been a pleasure to introduce young people to their local heritage, work with our Ukrainian community settling in the region, help families learn together, and lots more.

A picture of a group of visitors handling folklore items in Dumfries Museum at the start of a history of witchcraft tour.

A photograph of Ukrainian families standing on steps outside Dumfries Museum following a tour of the building.

A photograph of a group of schoolchildren touring the churchyard at St Michael's in Dumfries. It is raining and they have umbrellas and coat hoods up.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Just thinking how grateful I am to the @museumsassociation.org for all their support when I needed it, the learning opportunities, and the chance to be part of a wonderful network of inspiring and progressive people. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RNq...

youtube.com

MA membership: your sector, your association

YouTube video by Museums Association

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Heading home from an absolutely brilliant day today at the @museumsassociation.org reps meeting in Birmingham. I'm really pleased to be a part of this wonderful organisation and helping to support our members in Scotland. It was great to explore the new Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery too.

A photograph of people looking at artworks in the round gallery of Birmingham Museum.

A photograph of the Ozzy Osbourne exhibition at Birmingham Museum.

A photograph of people exploring 'The Elephant in the Room' display at Birmingham Museum.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

It's that day again... Happy Bastille Day with bagpipes.

A cartoon of a French bagpiper wearing a tricolore cockade and making puppet figures of the church and state dance whilst figures storm the Bastille in the background.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Summer solstice sunrise at the Twelve Apostles.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

As it's National Volunteer Week, a big thank you to all who volunteer their time and efforts to make this world a better place. Appreciating you year round, not just this week.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

If you're a Museums Association member in Scotland, do try to join us for a @museumsassociation.org members gathering at The Hunterian in Glasgow on Monday 30th June. You can get details and book a free place here... www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/museums-as...

eventbrite.co.uk

Museums Association Scotland Members Meet-up

Gathering for MA members across Scotland - tour, talk and catch-up at the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

Just realised this was 15 years ago today, at the lovely medieval church beside Hailes Abbey with my friend Richard York. Sometimes I forget how long I have been sharing medieval pilgrimage living history, piping and storytelling.

A photograph of two bagpipers wearing medieval clothing in a churchyard. There is a medieval style tent in the background.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Thrilled to have my article on using objects in live interpretation featured in the new Journal of the Association for Heritage Interpretation especially as the AHI celebrate their 50th anniversary.

A photograph of the AHI journal open on the page of the article. There is a picture of Tom Hughes in Victorian costume holding the a "witch bottle" and talking to a group gathering for a guided tour.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

I've just been sent the pictures of me and fellow AMA awardees as we received our certificates at last year's MA conference. I'm already looking forward to this year's conference at the lovely St Fagan’s National History Museum. Hope to see you there! www.museumsassociation.org/events/confe...

A photograph of seven people standing on a conference stage ready to receive their Associateship of the Museums Association certificates.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Happy St Patrick's Day with bagpipes.

An engraving of a bagpiper playing for dancing outside an inn. The original caption says St Patrick's Day

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

Happy International Bagpipe Day!

A montage of medieval pictures of pigs playing bagpipes. Including a wall painting, pewter badge, painted glass, stone carving, manuscript illustrations, and wood carving. Text reads Happy International Pig Bagpipe Day, with the word pig crossed out.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

A wee snippet in the Museums Journal. The AMA was such a fantastic process, really changing my outlook on life as well as developing skills. Totally recommend this to anyone working in museums. The @museumsassociation.org have been so supportive throughout, it's great to work with them.

A photograph of a clipping from the Museums Journal with a headset photograph of Tom Hughes and a quote, "Working with colleagues across the sector has helped develop my understanding of the profession. The sense of fellowship and support from peers kept me inspired and motivated. After over two decades in museums, I'd wondered whether it was worth starting the AMA. I needn't have doubted it - it's been one of the highlights of my career."

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

A World Book Day reflection. I've always enjoyed tales of fools. This is the only one of Alan Garner's books I remember reading as a child. Many years later, I was honoured to be given an original hardback edition by Alan after we talked about how the book had sowed the seeds of storytelling in me.

A photograph of a paperback copy of 'The Guizer' by Alan Garner. It features a fool dressed in animal skins running under a crescent moon.

A photograph of an inscription in the book by Alan Garner reading "More know Tom Fool than Tom Fool knows. From Alan, Blackden, 4.VII.09

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Had a brilliant day at the @museumsassociation.org Scotland members gathering in Perth. Lovely to be among so many progressive colleagues and to enjoy lots of inspiring presentations. In difficult times with lots of challenges for the sector, I left feeling positive and hopeful.

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Reposted by Tom Hughes

Cruck Cottage @cruckcottage.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

A clyack or corn dolly by the hanging lum in the cottage. The Scots word clyack is derived from Gaelic cailleach meaning hag. These woven straw figures were thought to keep the spirit of the corn safe through the winter. We're exploring lots of folklore throughout this year at the Cruck Cottage.

A photograph of a long woven corn dolly with red ribbon, hanging from a pair of fallow deer antlers on the wattle-and-daub chimney in the Cruck Cottage.

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Reposted by Tom Hughes

Cruck Cottage @cruckcottage.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

We continue to stand with Ukraine. We've been so pleased to welcome Ukrainian friends several times in recent months. We will always be in solidarity.

Photograph of Ukrainian friends outside the Cruck Cottage.

Photograph of Ukrainian friends inside the Cruck Cottage, as we welcomed them with an evening of Scottish traditions.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

No to bullies. Always in solidarity. No to appeasement.

Ukrainian flag with text I stand with Ukraine.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Out at Sweetheart Abbey today, volunteering with the Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust to tell the story of Devorgilla, Lady of Galloway.

A photograph of three people dressed in medieval clothing in front of the ruins of Sweetheart Abbey.

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Reposted by Tom Hughes

Cruck Cottage @cruckcottage.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Something cheery for this dreich day... Here's our volunteer Bob playing tunes at our New Scots kitchen ceilidh in the cottage for our Ukrainian friends last weekend.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

I'm very honoured to have been chosen to be one of the @museumsassociation.org reps for Scotland. Such a great organisation, their campaigns truly do change lives for the better. I'm really looking forward to getting started on getting more people involved and supporting museums across the nation.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Wow! I was only expecting about a dozen people for my medieval tour of Dumfries Museum today, but 71 people turned up! Clearly a lot of interest in the Robert the Bruce in Dumfries story.

A photograph of the main hall of Dumfries Museum full of visitors for the tour about to start.

A photograph of myself with Liz West, chair of the Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust standing in front of a museum display case with artefacts related to the Robert the Bruce story in Dumfries.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Much joy to you all this St Werburgh's day. May we all find ways to work with the natural world and restore what has been destroyed.

A photograph of a painted triptych standing on a bookshelf. The triptych has been painted in a medieval style and depicts St Werburgh with geese. She is holding a miniature abbey and in the background is tyd city of Chester of which she is patron.

A photograph of a replica medieval pilgrim badge. It depicts wild geese in a sheep pen, one of the miracles of St Werburgh.

A photograph of a medieval oak carving, part of a misericord in the choir stalls of Chester Cathedral. It shows St Werburgh penning in the wild geese, one of her miracles.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

For this week's #StandingStoneSunday, here are some of the Nether Largie stones in Kilmartin Glen. Duncan Williamson said his Traveller family believed the stones would protect you when staying nearby, so long as you didn't touch them.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

For #StandingStoneSunday, here's one of the magnificent Clava Cairns.

A photograph of a cairn of stones with large stones at its edge, surrounded by a ring of standing stones. There are large trees in the background.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Yesterday was the wassail at Norton Priory. Always a wonderful event to be part of and a highlight of the winter.

A photograph of a gathering in a medieval undercroft with audience sitting on benches and some visitors taking part in a play wearing hats for their characters.

A photograph of a procession around the ruins at Norton Priory. Led by Tom Hughes playing border bagpipes. The ground is covered with snow and there are candles marking the route.

A photograph of a outside table with patches of ice. Lanterns and jugs of cider sit on the table.

A photograph of people gathering in the wassail orchard. A table is lit with lanterns and lots of people stand among the trees singing the apple tree wassail song.

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Reposted by Tom Hughes

Museum Development North @musdevnorth.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

@tomtelltale.bsky.social for the 10th year running has started the year at Norton Priory Museum with the traditional Wassail, stories and dancing. The apple trees are all ready to bear lots of fruit!

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

For this #StandingStoneSunday, here's the row of four at Ballymeanoch in Kilmartin Glen.

A photograph of four standing stones in a line. They are relatively thin and have lichens growing on them. The ground is covered with close cropped grass. There is a row of trees on the horizon and a cloudy grey sky.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Just popped over the bridge to the post box. Everywhere looks lovely in the frost. Swans, goosanders and mallards swimming together on the Cluden.

A photograph of the Cluden Water at Newbridge with the river bank and houses covered in frost. The sky is an orangey colour with the sunrise. Two adult mute swans and a cygnet are in the river along with goosander and mallards.

A photograph looking west up the Cluden Water at Newbridge with frost on the fields, sloping down to the water. Trees line the edges of the picture.

A close up photograph of a post box in the frost. The raised letters of 'post office' and the crown motif are picked out in the frost.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

The Reader's Digest 'Folklore, Myths and Legends of Great Britain' is rightly a classic for folklore fans, but don't hear much of their 'American Folklore and Legend'. More historic tale and doses of racism, rather than customs and traditions. Anyone else have this one or indeed other RD folklore?

A photograph of a bookcase of folklore books including the Readers Digest folklore books.

The front cover of Reader's Digest 'American Folklore and Legends, depicting various characters from American history and tales. A caption reads, "The saga of our heroes and heroines, our baggers, boasters and bad men, our beliefs and superstitions."

A photograph of a sample page open in the book showing the layout of lots of text with one colour picture and two black and white line drawings.

A photograph of a sample page open in the book with lots of text, three line drawings and music notation for a song.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

For this week's #StandingStoneSunday, the Twelve Apostles in the snow.

A photograph of one of the fallen stones at the Twelve Apostles stone circle with a dusting of snow. The sun shines through the clouds.

A photograph of four of the stones at the Twelve Apostles stone circle covered with a dusting of snow.

A photograph of one of the standing stones at the Twelve Apostles with a dusting of snow. Other stones are visible in the background.

A photograph of one of the standing stones at the Twelve Apostles with dusting of snow. The sun shines behind the stone.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

A new year's day wander to Lincluden Abbey. Light has shone through these windows for over six centuries, and here's some of the first rays of light and hope in 2025. Wishing everyone a joyous new year.

A photograph of the ruins of Lincluden Abbey, showing large windows in the nave with their ornate tracery. The sun shines brightly through the centre window with rays spreading in a saltire pattern.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

Worked out I've read 93 books this year, perhaps be 94 when the bells ring. Also visited 63 museums and 17 medieval monastic sites. Kept me occupied counting that up anyway!

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

For #StandingStoneSunday, pictures from this week's trip to the Girdle Stanes at Eskdalemuir. Half the circle has been washed away by the river. An eerie feel to this visit with the mist, a sheep skeleton strewn about, a hare darting from the stones and a decaying clootie in the thorn tree.

A photograph of a standing stone covered in moss and lichens. Rushes grow alongside and thorn trees and further stones are in the background. It is a misty day and hills are just about visible.

A photograph of three standing stones from the Girdle Stanes circle. Two are right next to each other, almost touching.

A photograph of part of the Girdle Stanes circle, showing an arc of low standing stones covered with mosses and lichens.

A photograph of a standing stone with a thorn tree growing over it. They are both covered in moss and lichens. The background is very misty.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Happy Christmas! This picture of Christmas Waits was published on Christmas Day 1886. I found it on a market stall in 2013 and we've had it up year round in our house since then.

A coloured print depicting musicians and singers performing on a snow covered street in the middle of the night. Angry people woken from their sleep are shouting from the windows. A caption reads 'The Waits, and may they continue to wait!'

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Wishing you all a joyous yuletide, a jolly wassail, and a bright new year.

A linocut image of a bearded man in a long gown playing bagpipes. Underneath the picture is the word Wassail!

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Folk say, a wizard to a northern king: at Xtmastide such wondrous things did show,that through one window men beheld the spring,and through another saw the summer glow, and through a third the fruited vines a-row,while still unheard, but in its wonted way,piped the drear wind of that December day.

A photograph of a painted glass window at Wightwick Manor with the text in this post.

A photograph of a window at Wightwick Manor with the painted figure of a bagpiper in yellows, ochre, and grey shades.

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Tom Hughes @tomtelltale.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

For #StandingStoneSunday, here are pictures of the winter solstice sunrise at the Twelve Apostles, near Dumfries, over the past few years including yesterday.