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Victorians and Edwardians

Discover the effects and rewards of industry in the 19th century.

During the reign of Queen Victoria, Scotland was transformed into an industrial and urban society. The changes affected life inside and outside the home.

Effects of industry

Providing for the needs of the huge numbers of people who came to live in towns and cities was a key Victorian issue. Look at some of the problems that arose, how they were tackled, and how life, particularly in the cities, was changing.

Contrast the popular image of a romantic Highland Scotland and some of the realities of Victorian urban life (Cases 1 and 2) and the need to deal with slum conditions.

Home and society

Home and family offered security in uncertain times. But even here things were changing, with the introduction of new, affordable products and improved sanitation (Case 4).

Meanwhile, outside the home, increased opportunities were developing for working people through education, libraries, museums and entertainment.

Leisure time

Over the century, the time for leisure increased. Factory acts reduced working hours and delayed the working age of children. There was more time for children to play, both at home and in the street, and for adults to take part in sport and other leisure activities. You can see a range of toys and sporting accessories in Case 15.

Travel and tourism also took off at this time, with trips to the seaside a new alternative available even to poorer people (Case 16).

Rewards of industry

People had more money in their pockets and consumer spending took off. Much of what department stores offered for sale was mass-produced and relatively inexpensive: you can see many examples of the kind of goods on offer.

Art on commission

Those who could afford something more exclusive could commission work from the many innovative artists and designers who were making names for themselves.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Sir Robert Lorimer are two of the best known, and you can see works by them on display. Don't miss the spectacular enamel overmantel designed by Alexander Fisher, which depicts the Garden of the Hesperides.

Women artists

Women were playing an increasingly important part in Scotland's artistic life. Part of the display on commissioning is devoted to the work of Phoebe Traquair, Jessie M King and others. Phoebe Traquair, who lived and worked in Edinburgh, is represented by jewellery and bookbindings (Case 8). The range and vitality of some of the leading Glasgow-based women artists is shown in Case 9.