Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery

Bizarre Collection in University of Glasgow Campus, Scotland

© David Whitley


Scottish scientist William Hunter bequeathed Scotland's oldest public museum. Find the entrance, and marvel at Sir Isaac Newton's death mask and a walrus' penis bone...
The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery in Glasgow, Scotland
There are some museums which have a definitive theme; they’re about something in particular and that’s the reason to go there. However, it’s often the case that the best museums have no overriding focus whatsoever. The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery in Glasgow, Scotland is a fine example of the latter type.

Scottish scientist William Hunter
Having first opened in 1807, the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery is essentially the extensive (and often bizarre) collection of Scottish scientist William Hunter. He bequeathed the collection and the money to build a museum to the University of Glasgow, which is where the collection can be found today. It is Scotland’s oldest public museum, and is currently celebrating its 200th anniversary – no mean achievement.

University of Glasgow Campus at Gilmorehill

Finding the museum can be something of a challenge in itself – it is not in the centre of Glasgow, but on the University of Glasgow campus at Gilmorehill to the west. However, it is quite close to the city’s major museum complex – the Kelvingrove. The Hunterian Museum can also be quite tricky to find within the university building in which it is housed; it’s one of those where visitors have to go through a few entrances, up a few stairs and into a hall without the direction being immediately obvious.

Sir Isaac Newton, Frederic Chopin and Robert The Bruce
Still, it’s worth navigating all the passageways and courtyards, as the museum plays host to a fantastically random selection of artefacts from around the world. Here is just a selection of what can be found inside this most odd museum…

The skeleton of a young, male Indian elephant.

A bird’s nest encrusted in calcite.

A shield belonging to a member of a Scottish Highland tribe.

Sir Isaac Newton’s death mask.

A bronze cast of Frederic Chopin’s hand.

Chimu pottery from South America.

Some Chinese jade.

The baculum (or penis bone, as it is more commonly known) of a walrus.

A bone from the foot of famous Scottish leader Robert The Bruce

A testicle in a jar.

The tooth of a mastodon.

Lots and lots of Buddha statues

Collector… superstar
It's all rather random isn’t it? Well that’s what makes it a fascinating way to while away a couple of hours for any visitor to Glasgow. If there’s one part that sums it up, it is a display on William Hunter himself, with the tagline: “Collector, anatomist, midwife, author, researcher, academian, superstar.” That’s the spirit…

Holiday Outdoor Gift Ideas

Tips for Those With Adventure on Their Shopping List

© Bill Sassani


Description of outdoor gear, clothing, and more, along with prices and where to purchase these items on the web.
Looking for an outdoor gift for that special someone this holiday? Shopping for a friend or loved one who is into outdoor adventure sports can be difficult, especially if the shopper is not interested in the same sports, or even the outdoors at all. The following gift ideas are sure to be a hit when unwrapped.

GPS Unit
Give the gift of direction with a handy GPS unit. Designed to use satellites to pinpoint a location on the planet, outdoor GPS’s are designed to be rugged and functional. The Garmin eTrex Legend is a practical unit that is reasonably priced, at $149.95 from REI. Among the features advertised include the ability to mark 50 waypoints, store 1,000 waypoints, and make trip calculations such as speed. The unit can also download maps from Garmin’s mapping software (sold separately).

Ski Goggles
Got a skier or snowboarder on the list? Think about giving him a new pair of goggles this year. A good pair will be able to shield the eyes from sunlight, and is able to block UV rays. They should also fit well with the face and allow for a clear field of view. The Oakley A-Frame goggles (between $85 to $130 from REI) offers venting to prevent fogging and blocks 100% of ultraviolet radiation. A more inexpensive model, the Cartel from Scott sells at $45.

Gloves
A nice pair of gloves makes a great stocking stuffer, and is always useful on the slope or for brushing snow off the car early in the morning. Outdoor Research has a fleece glove that sells for $45, and comes with a gripping surface on the palm to allow the wearer to have a better grip.

Knowledge
Maybe that special someone has all the gear they need, but wants to have a fun experience. Think about signing him/her up for a rock climbing class or kayaking adventure with a local guide service. For longer adventures, Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School offer courses that can last up to a semester, and offer technical skills training and group communication skills.

Gift Cards
If figuring out what to get for a gift proves too frustrating or confusing, consider purchasing a gift card. Major retailers such as REI offer them as well as smaller, local stores. Gift cards take the guesswork out of shopping for the right gift, and insure that your loved one get exactly what they are looking for.

Winter Camping Basics

How to Stay Warm in the Backcountry

© Bill Sassani


Tips for staying warm and dry while winter camping.
Camping during the wintertime can be a fun and rewarding experience, but a cold one as well. Staying warm in the woods is an important skill to know, not just to be comfortable, but to stay healthy, and even alive.

Plan Ahead
Whether it is a day of snow shoeing, a weekend backcountry skiing trip, or a major climbing expedition, proper planning can make the difference. Research the area being traveled, check the weather forecast, assemble food and equipment, and leave a copy of the itinerary with someone, along with an estimated return time.

Dress Appropriately
Wear appropriate clothing for the area and terrain that will be traveled. In winter, that means wearing more layers, with clothing made from wool, down, or synthetic materials. Cotton clothes, such as a sweatshirt and jeans, lose their insulating value when wet, draw away heat from the body, and take a long time to dry. Wool and synthetics are able to retain body heat even when wet, and require less time to dry.

Drink Water
Drinking cold water may be a difficult prospect when it is below freezing outside. To stay hydrated, make hot drinks such as hot chocolate, tea, or even hot water with Gatorade. Carry an insulated thermos, so that it is possible to have a hot drink or some soup throughout the day.

Eat All Day
When packing food, plan on carrying a variety of foods that will provided much needed calories to stay warm. Carbohydrates provide great short term energy, while foods rich in fats and protein can sustain the body over longer periods of time. Also, snacks such as trail mix can be brought to munch on throughout the day.

Stay Active
Moving around causes the body to burn more calories, and create more heat, as opposed to just standing around in camp. For many winter adventures, human powered activity is the reason for being out in the snow, such as snow shoeing, cross country skiing, backcountry skiing or snowboarding. While at the campsite, do jumping jacks or run in place to warm up the body. When going to sleep, do sit ups or crunches in the sleeping bag. The body heat that is released is trapped by the insulation in the bag.

Bring Padding
Sitting on the snow can be a numbing experience. Protect that posterior with a packable camping chair for sitting in camp. A square of closed-cell foam can be used to insulate feet from the cold ground, and keeps them dry from wet snow.

More Information
For additional information on winter camping, check out the Princeton University Outdoor Action Guide to Winter Camping.