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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

This time last week we were celebrating all things Gothic as Way WORD Festival and Heather Parry announced the winner of the Gothic story writing competition, and started off the Gothic Aberdeen tour! Thanks to WayWord for having us, and everyone who came along to join us for a very Gothic day!

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Join us for a series of Gallery tours with the AUZBS "Spiders, Bats, Crows, Cats" 🕷️🦇🐈⬛ linking zoology tours with "Fear & Fascination: A Gothic exhibition". Wednesdays 15th, 22nd and 29th October 13:00-13:30, The Sir Duncan Rice Library, Gallery.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Today is the anniversary of horror author M.R. James's birth (1862-1936). His stories of antiquarians beset by supernatural horrors feature in our exhibition Fear and Fascination, open now at the Sir Duncan Rice Library. Find out more: buff.ly/s4DYTaH

A man examines a crucifix while reading a book in a room dark except for the light from a reading lamp. Unbeknownst to him, a grotesque face with large eyes lurks behind him watching.

A figure wrapped in a bedsheet assaults a cowering elderly man.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

When you can't decide which online exhibition to start with - get another screen! Browse our online exhibitions: buff.ly/H9yEg1Y

Photo of a desktop full of screens, monitors, laptops, tablets all showing different online exhibitions

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Today is #InternationalTigerDay Rani the tiger was seized at Aberdeen Airport under CITES legislation in 1996, by HM Customs and Excise. Although she was probably a zoo animal, the specimen was mounted in Deeside, and was being exported to the Middle East without the necessary permits.

A very pretty regal looking taxidermy tiger in a display case

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Join us tomorrow, for a map making workshop as part of the Festival of the Sea. There will be historical maps on display to inspire you, drawing materials and guides so you can create your own map - or add to a collaborative map. The Library has pretty good air conditioning! buff.ly/9D5D3nG

Snippets of two historical maps and a hand drawn sailing ship

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Ever wondered why some of the earliest maps and atlases feature fantastical sea creatures? Chet van Duzer, historian of cartography, will be giving an online talk on Tuesday 22nd of July about these legendary creatures and what they reveal about early geographic thought and nautical navigation.

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Festival of the Sea: Online Talk - Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps with Chet van Duzer

Ever wondered why some of the earliest maps and atlases feature fantastical sea creatures?

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

It's week 2 of summer at the Zoology Museum and a huge well done to everyone who contributed to creating a very colourful giant spider crab in Week 1! We're starting a new Giant Spider Crab this week so get down to the Zoology Museum and get colouring!

An animal skeleton looking at a colourful crab

Coloured in sheets that make up the crab

A fresh crab up with just a few panels coloured in

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Today is international rock day. This Jadeite stone axe head was discovered in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire and dates from 4000 BC-2400 BC. It was recently discovery that the jadeite was quarried on the slopes of Monte Viso in the Italian alps, travelling almost 1000 miles 5000 years ago!

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

On this day in 1824 The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner was published. This copy, in our exhibition "Fear & Fascination" had some skilled conservation work done by our skilled paper conservator. You wouldn't know from looking but it has had an entirely new board made for it.

close up of the title page of justified sinner

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Today is #WorldChocolateDay This is a chocolate whisk or molinillo [ABDUA: 8870] from Bolivia. This type of molinillo was invented by Spanish colonisers in Central and South America around the 1600s. It is is spun between ones hands and into a pot of chocolate to froth or mix chocolate drinks.

a long, handcarved wooden whisk. There are small holes at the bottom of the whisk, presumably to allow for frothing. There is a long handle, which is used to spin between the hands

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Our Zoology skeletons have got some new entertainment installed for the holidays, come along to help colour it in and give them something nice to look at! The Zoology Museum will be open 10-4 Monday-Friday through the school holidays.

Photo of skeletons looking at an empty black and white colour in paper of a crab

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Congratulations to everyone graduating from @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social this week! You might spot these maces being used during graduation ceremonies. Left is the King's College Mace (ABDUA:36876) made in 1650. Right is the Marischal College Mace (ABDUA:36877) from c.1660.

Silver mace. The bowl is embossed with the College arms and those of its founder, Bishop Elphinstone. The head is formed as an imperial crown supporting an orb and a cross over a plate with the Royal Arms.

Looks almost identical to the other mace but a lighter silver colour

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Happy #DisabilityPrideMonth from all of us at UoA Collections! Here's a disability pride flag made from images of our collection to celebrate! Find out where the colours come from in the thread below:

flag with black background and 5 stripes diagonally across in green, blue, white, yellow and red made from items in the collections

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

As part of the Festival of the Sea we're running a map making workshop on the 12th July. There will be historical maps on display to inspire you, and drawing materials and guides so you can create your own map - or add to a collaborative map. Details here: buff.ly/dyxmPBG

Map with illustrations of ships attacking a coastal fort with cannon fire.

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Reposted by University of Aberdeen Collections

Fishbourne Roman Palace @romanpalace.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

🤣🚨ATTENTION!!🚨🤣 @traceynormanauthor.bsky.social knitted us a museum environmental monitor and it's the best thing that's happened to us EVER! 😍🤩

On the left, a small yellow plastic rectangular device with googly eyes on it. On the right a larger version, but knitted. Our life is complete.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Integrated Pest Management allows heritage sites to monitor and manage pests to prevent damage to the collections. We admire and appreciate the important role that wee beasties play in our eco system, but we don't want them munching on our historical collections if possible! #InsectWeek

Two volunteers, one using a magnifier to check and pest traps and the other with a clipboard

#InsectWeek25 Day 5: Pest Traps with a photo of two slaters in a trap

Integrated Pest Management allows heritage sites to monitor and manage pests to prevent damage to the collections.

Two of our volunteers have the glamorous and important job of assisting collection staff to check and record the pest traps this week. Monitoring the traps alerts us to any infestations that could damage items.

We admire and appreciate the important role that wee beasties play in our eco system, but we don't want them munching on our historical collections if possible!

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

These watercolour paintings of insects were made by Sri Lankan artists William and George de Alwis around 1834. Their drawings were considered so true to form that between 1849 and 1880 the Governor of Ceylon employed them to draw the moths and butterflies of the country from nature. #InsectWeek

watercolour painting of a green grasshopper

#InsectWeek25 Day 4: The de Alwis brothers

Watercolour insect illustrations with text: These watercolour paintings of insects were made by Sri Lankan artists William and George de Alwis around 1834 while Sri Lanka was under colonial rule. The artists' father Haramanis de Alwis Seneviratne (1792-1894), worked as a botanical illustrator for the Botanic Gardens and by his retirement had illustrated over 2000 plants!

Watercolour insect illustrations with text: The brothers drawings were considered so true to form. that between 1849 and 1880 the Governor of Ceylon employed them both to undertake a project to draw the moths and butterflies of the country from nature. They also went on to provide many other illustrations for authors publishing on the Lepidoptera of the time.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

This book by Louise M. Budgen, published 1849-1851 describes the natural history of insects through stories. Budgen wrote it under the pseudonym Acheta Domestica, the scientific name of the house cricket. The Victorian blocked binding shows a house cricket reciting one of the tales. #InsectWeek

A cloth bound book. An illustration in gold foil depicts a cricket reading from a book surrounded by other insects, plants and a spider in a web.

Louise M. Budgen published her book, Episodes of Insect Life, under the pseudonym 'Acheta Domestica'.

She described the life-cycle and habits of insects through narrative tales.

The binding, which is a beautiful example of Victorian blocked binding, shows a house cricket (Acheta domestic) reciting one of the tales.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Horatio McCulloch (1805-67) died #OnThisDay in 1867. He was a leading Scottish Romantic landscape painter of the 19thC, whose paintings created a romantic Highland image of the country. By the time this was painted in the mid-1800s, a notion of "Scotland" was becoming synonymous with the Highlands.

painting of loch awe - A dirt track leads us into the picture across desolate moorland to a ruined castle that is set off by a backdrop of mist covered mountains. There is also a puff of smoke indicating a lone cottage in the distance

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717) was the first woman to describe and study the life cycle and metamorphoses of butterflies and other insects. Her first book, The Miraculous Transformation and Unusual Flower-Food of Caterpillars contained over 50 plates, engraved from her own observations #InsectWeek

black and white illustration of flowers with insects on them

graphic with insectweek25 day 2: maria sybilla merian

graphic with a flower with a butterfly on it

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

This #InsectWeek we will be highlighting insects from all around the collections. These are cream-spot tiger moths, localised to southern England and Wales. Moths are normally thought of as only being beige but this is just one example of the beautiful colours they can be.

photo of three moths with brown and cream spotted upper wings and orange and brown lower wings.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

Aberdeen Harbour may look a bit like this again this summer with Tall Ships Races coming to Aberdeen! Find out more about everything happening here: buff.ly/aXzoS0D 📷 GWW, Aberdeen Harbour from Dock Gates, c.1877, MS 3792/E0111

black and white photo of Aberdeen Harbour with lots of ships with tall masts

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Something doesn't look like it belongs there... Here's a sneak peek behind the scenes at the installation of our whale jaw in the new @abdnartmuseums.bsky.social Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction? exhibition. Find out more about the exhibition: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/whats-a...

A man in a display case placing a whale jaw

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Today is #NaturePhotographyDay George Washington Wilson was a trailblazer in landscape photography, focusing on that instead of portraiture from the 1860s. He produced stereoscopic pictures with short exposures, increasing what could be photographed. 📷 GWW, Old Man of Storr, late 19thC, MS 3792

Stereoscopic photo of the Old Man of Storr, a large rock pointing straight up

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Today is Loggerhead Turtle Day. On 1st August 1861, a loggerhead turtle was caught in a salmon net at Pennan, Aberdeenshire. People flocked from far and wide to see the “rare fish”. The turtle was given to our Zoology Collection. It was the second recorded sighting in Scottish waters.

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Reposted by University of Aberdeen Collections

Buckinghamshire Archives @bucksarchives.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Welcome to the archives.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

One of our manuscripts was shown at the 2025 SIEF Congress in Aberdeen last week. This is a Persian manuscript 'The wonders of Nature' (MS 183). It is a lavishly illustrated compendium of marvels of the universe, which was originally compiled in the Middle East, possibly in the late 13th century.

part of the manuscript showing flying fish

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

It’s #VolunteersWeek and we’d like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to all those who give their time, skills, and enthusiasm to University of Aberdeen Collections. They contribute in so many areas, from Archives to Zoology!

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Happy #PrideMonth from all of us at UoA Collections! Here's a pride flag made from images of our collection to celebrate! Find out where the colours come from in the thread below:

Progress Pride flag using items from the collections to make up the colours

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Reposted by University of Aberdeen Collections

Sophie Coulombeau @sophiecoulombeau.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Give me and @uoacollections.bsky.social our Guinness world record for most early editions of Frances Burney novels grouped together in one photo. I make no apology for the sexiness of this #content. 📖 ❤️

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

Today is #WorldParrotDay This is the extinct Norfolk kākā or Phillip Island parrot captured by John Gould in The Birds of Australia (SB 5982(94)). It likely became extinct in the early 19th century after it was hunted for food, trapped as a pet and a penal colony was established on the island.

Two parrots with black wings and golden chests. They have a very long black upper beak.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Tomorrow we're welcoming author and radio presenter @sophiecoulombeau.bsky.social‬ for her talk 'Brothers & Lovers: Frances Burney and the Gothic'. Sophie will explore themes from her book, Reading with the Burneys, which delves into an annotated copy of Fanny Burney’s Evelina.

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PUBLIC TALK Sophie Coulombeau - Brothers & Lovers: Frances Burney and the Gothic

The University is delighted to welcome author and radio presenter Sophie Coulombeau in this talk showcasing some of the research from her recent publication 'Reading with the Burneys' which is…

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

In 2026, the @royalscottishacad.bsky.social one of the oldest and most prestigious cultural institutions in Scotland, will be 200 years old! We’re taking part in the birthday celebrations with a exhibition in the Sir Duncan Rice Library Gallery in 2026 – watch this space!

Still life painting showing a bottle, vases and apples.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

#OnThisDay in 1897, Bram Stoker's Dracula was published. Here are a selection of newspaper cuttings from the archive surrounding Stoker and Dracula's infamous links to Aberdeenshire. To find out more about all things Gothic come and see 'Fear and Fascination - A Gothic Exhibition' #DraculaDay

Selection of newspaper cuttings about Dracula and Aberdeenshire

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Reposted by University of Aberdeen Collections

National Library of Scotland @natlibscot.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

This #MapMonday, check out the new additions to our maps website 🗺️ Highlights include this 1751 map showing the route taken by Bonnie Prince Charlie before and after Culloden. Explore our recent additions > maps.nls.uk/additions/#179

A detail from the Findlayson 1751 map showing the route taken by Bonnie Prince Charlie before and after Culloden. The close up focuses on the Moray Firth Coast, with Dingwall to the west, and Cullen to the east.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

This week is Heritage Breeds Week. Did you know that Queen Victoria had a soft spot for ginger Highland Cows which resulted in selective breeding? This has led to more ginger and a decline in black and brindle. 🖼️ Highland Cows and Sheep, Frank B, ABDUA 31085

painting of a black and ginger highland cow with sheep in the background

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Reposted by University of Aberdeen Collections

Orkney Library & Archive @orkneylibrary.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

We're continuing to digitise our extensive photograph collection and following the 80th Anniversary of the opening of the Churchill Barriers earlier this month we've added loads more images to our online Catalogue. Go to oice-apw.adlibhosting.com/AIS/search/a... to access the catalogue.

A page from the Orkney Archive catalogue showing photographs of the Churchill Barriers under construction

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Today is #InternationalTeaDay Here’s a glimpse inside Kinnaird’s Tea Gardens in Aberdour, Fife (c1899) from the GWW collection. Kinnaird’s would be packed out in the summer season with day-trippers arriving on the steamers from Leith. In Britain, we drink over 100 million cups of tea each day!

Old black and white photo showing a room packed with tables and benches. It is heavily decorated with drapes hanging from the ceiling and pictures on the wall. The front table has 3 people having tea.

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Reposted by University of Aberdeen Collections

Sophie Coulombeau @sophiecoulombeau.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Oooh, how exciting! In alignment with this exhibition, I’m looking forward very much to giving my talk, near the end of this month, on the unexpected Gothicism of Frances Burney.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

It's aliiiivvee!!! "Fear and Fascination: a Gothic exhibition" is now open in the gallery in @aberdeenunilib.bsky.social Come and see early editions of key Gothic texts and tell us about your own favourite scary stories!

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Happy #WorldBeeDay 🐝 These are the industrious #AberdeenBestiary bees. They are going into hives known as skeps (from the Anglo Saxon, skeppa, for basket). These are made from woven straw or other plant fibre and require the beekeeper to have great skill to harvest the honey and not harm the bees.

Bestiary illustration of bees, showing 3 lines of bees flying into 3 skeppas.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Today is the day! 'Fear and Fascination: a Gothic exhibition' is open! Come along to see these bats in real life. The exhibition is running in the Sir Duncan Rice Library until the 7th of December.

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

The Rev James Fraser (1634–1709) was a clergyman from Kirkhill, Inverness-shire and studied at King's College. He set out on a Grand Tour that was incredibly unusual for a Highlander of the period. He wrote about his journey in 'Triennial Travels' (MS 2538). View it online here: buff.ly/8hjNEDs

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Sophie Coulombeau @sophiecoulombeau.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

V excited to be returning to Aberdeen to talk about 'Brothers & Lovers: Frances Burney and the Gothic'. I'll be drawing on research outlined in my @cambridgeup.bsky.social Element 'Reading With The Burneys', and playing show-&-tell with the all-important Evelina in @uoacollections.bsky.social!

PUBLIC TALK Sophie Coulombeau - Brothers & Lovers: Frances Burney and the Gothic
29 May 2025, 17:30 - 18:30

TALK Sophie Coulombeau 'Brothers and Lovers: Frances Burney and the Gothic' Thursday 29 May 2025
The University is delighted to welcome author and radio presenter Sophie Coulombeau in this talk showcasing some of the research from her recent publication 'Reading with the Burneys' which is closely linked to Aberdeen.

About the Speaker
Dr Sophie Coulombeau is a Senior Lecturer in eighteenth-century literature and culture at the University of York. She is also a creative writer. Her debut novel, Rites, came out in 2012 and her second novel, Monster: A Tale, will be published by Northodox Press in 2026. Sophie writes and presents for radio and regularly creates features on mainstream arts and history for publications including BBC Arts, the Guardian, the Independent, the Times Literary Supplement, and History Today.

About this Talk
In this talk, Sophie Coulombeau will showcase some of the research she published recently in her book Reading With The Burneys (Cambridge University Press 2024). This publication centres on an all-important annotated set of Fanny Burney's first novel Evelina, which is held in the University of Aberdeen's Special Collections.

Sophie Coulombeau and Fanny Burney

Frances Burney (1752 – 1840), also known as Fanny Burney, was an English satirical novelist, diarist and playwright. In 1786–1790 she held the post of "Keeper of the Robes" to George III's queen, Charlotte. Her long writing career gained her a reputation as one of England's foremost literary authors. Her fiction had a significant influence on the novels of Jane Austen, who greatly admired her style and drew on Burney's characters in creating her own.

Burney has traditionally been thought of as a 'novelist of manners' far removed from the Gothic fiction of the time, but this talk explores how her four novels do in fact take part in some of the same conversations, and employ the same ideas. Coulombeau will be examining selected passages from Evelina with gothic features such as oppressive fear, fainting women, sexual menacing from villains, and will conclude by focusing closely on the way in which Evelina's brother/lover character Mr Macartney raises the spectre of incest - a key Gothic trope. Using the copy of Evelina now held in the University Collections, Frances Burney's own brother Charles attempted to model himself on Macartney when he lived in Aberdeen, with troublesome consequences!

This event is part of a programme of events that will be accompanying the latest exhibition from University Collections. Fear and Fascination - A Gothic Exhibition runs until 7 December 2025.

Speaker
Sophie Coulombeau
Hosted by
University Collections
Venue
The Sir Duncan Rice Library
Contact
This FREE talk is open to all and will take place in the Sir Duncan Rice Library.
If you would like to attend in person, please reserve a seat by following the booking link.
Parking at the University is FREE at the time of this event.
REQUEST A RECORDING OF THIS TALK

We are hoping to record this talk. If you are unable to attend the event in person but would like to receive a link to the recording that will be prepared after the event, please email uoacollections@abdn.ac.uk

Booking
Online booking available

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Today is #WorldPenguinDay. This King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) was collected on the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition of 1921-22. This was Shackleton’s final expedition, as he died on the 5th of January 1922 whilst docked in South Georgia, before reaching Antarctica. ABDUZ:25981

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

Are we currently in a mass-extinction event? If so, what's causing it? Find out on one of our special tours of the Zoology Museum to look at species at risk of extinction and the major issues plaguing global biodiversity. Tours are this Wed 23rd and Sat 26th. www.abdn.ac.uk/collections/...

A person looking into a glass case in the zoology musuem

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Happy Easter! These beautiful clutches of mini eggs are nestled alongside an intruder! The blue eggs are hedge sparrow eggs parasitized by the larger, grey cuckoo egg. Please do not collect any eggs when you are out and about unless they are chocolate!

A selection of blue and brown eggs laid out in squares on wool

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Today is #BatAppreciationDay. This flying fox bat is giving his best grin while getting spruced up before going on display in our upcoming exhibition Fear & Fascination, all about Gothic stories! Come along to find out more about bats and how they became intertwined with vampires.

A person carefully hoovering a taxidermy bat

A close up of a taxidermy bat showing its teeth

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University of Aberdeen Collections @uoacollections.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

Step into a world of Gothic terror in our upcoming exhibition. Showcasing an extensive collection of Gothic novels, this exhibition explores how these texts used fear to both terrify and excite readers with their tales of monsters and villains, and exploration of transgressive themes.

Poster for Fear and Fascination: A Gothic Exhibition.

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