We are the Scottish Maritime Museum, two family friendly attractions telling the story of the nation’s maritime past, present and future. We are home to amazing ships, industrial machinery and nautical inspired artwork.

Discover something new at our museum at Irvine Harbourside. Inside the Linthouse you can see our permanent collection under the spectacular glass roof which gives the building its nickname the ‘Cathedral of Engineering’. Along with a changing temporary exhibition programme, there are children’s trails and there are timed tours to the 1920’s Ship workers flat and Fitting Shed. Also virtual tours of vessels and the 1800s tenement flat.  We regularly run art activities and talks for kids and adults alike. School groups of all ages are welcome for tours and workshops.

Our Dumbarton museum is none other than the Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank, the world’s first ship model experiment tank! This unique building and its machinery tell the story of the Clyde’s shipbuilding history. The first floor houses touring exhibitions and interactive gadgets and games!

Statement of purpose

To care for, manage, and develop the Museum collection.

To promote intellectual and physical access to the collections through displays, exhibitions and activities at our sites, at other locations, and by other means.

To research the collections and ensure that we develop, retain, and communicate knowledge about our collections.

Vision

To be a dynamic, world-class, national maritime museum that informs, educates and inspires.

Mission

We collect, preserve, interpret and make accessible Scotland’s maritime past and present in a way that reflects its local, national and international significance.

History

The Scottish Maritime Museum was founded in 1983 and based in the West of Scotland with sites in Irvine and Dumbarton, the Scottish Maritime Museum holds an important nationally recognised collection, encompassing a variety of historic vessels, artefacts, art, fascinating personal items and the largest collection of shipbuilding tools and machinery in the country. The buildings and sites which the Scottish Maritime Museum occupies are themselves part of the collection.

The Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine is housed within the vast, glass-roofed Victorian Linthouse. This A listed ‘cathedral of engineering’ was formerly the Engine Shop of Alexander Stephen and Sons shipyard in Govan before being salvaged and relocated to Irvine in 1991.

The Scottish Maritime Museum in Dumbarton is located on the former site of the influential and innovative William Denny Shipyard and features the world’s first commercial ship testing facility, the Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank. The Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank opened in 1883, It allowed the engineers to find out how full-sized ships hulls would preform at sea.

Fair Working Practices Statement

Scottish Maritime Museum Trust is committed to the Scottish Governments Fair Work First policy. We have adopted policies and statements which support the development of a positive and inclusive working environment and organisational culture where all the staff have the right to fair treatment, respect and continuous professional development.

These include:

• The Equality and Diversity in Employment Policy, inclusive of fair recruitment and selection practices, commitment to training and development of staff and internal promotion.
• Equal Pay Statement.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Statement and Health and Safety policy.
• Harassment and Bulling policy.
• Appropriate channels for an effective voice, such as staff appointed representatives, trade union recognition, staff forums and surveys.
• Supporting the Real Living Wage by providing fair pay for all.
• Stability of employment and hours of work and avoiding exploitative employment practices, including no use of zero-hours contracts.
• Creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace including flexible working arrangements where appropriate.
• Investment in workforce training and development opportunities and a commitment to Modern Apprenticeships and our ongoing partnership with Developing the Young Workforce and local employability programmes.
• Further, the Museum will aim to fulfil the objectives above by working with potential suppliers and contractors to encourage compliance.