Blog
Welcome to our blog about David Livingstone Birthplace, a museum and park near Glasgow that celebrates the life and legacy of one of Scotland’s most famous explorers. David Livingstone was a physician, missionary, and abolitionist who travelled across Africa in the 19th century. David was also an outspoken advocate for ending slavery and colonialism. Learn more about our events and activities relating to David Livingstone and the centre.
Getting to David Livingstone Birthplace Museum
Date 6 March 2023
This year, we’ve teamed up with Good Journey so that we can offer 2for1 entry to anyone getting here by public transport, bike, or foot!
Interning with David Livingstone Birthplace
Date 5 March 2023
Elena De Marco is currently an Interactive and Digital Media Production student interning with the David Livingstone Birthplace Museum.
Cataloguing the Reference Library
Date 10 August 2022
An exploration of the reference library belonging to the David Livingstone Birthplace.
Celebrating Youth at David Livingstone Birthplace
Date 2 August 2022
Reflecting on the recent Youth Open Day event at the David Livingstone Birthplace.
Happy Birthday Blog
Date 28 July 2022
Happy Birthday to Us! Since we opened our newly imagined exhibition on 28 July 2021, we have welcomed over 10,000 visitors to the museum.
David Livingstone Birthplace and Black Lives Matter
Date 25 May 2022
On 25th May 2020 George Floyd was killed. His death caused public outcry and led to global protests, as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Your Adventurous Guide to Southern & Central Africa
Date 9 May 2022
Hi there! I’m David Livingstone. Originally from Blantyre, Scotland, I’m now making my way round Sub-Saharan Africa. It’s just one adventure after another!
David Livingstone and the Blantyre Cotton Works
Date 1 April 2022
Livingstone grew up during the Industrial Revolution. This was a time when technological advances meant industry developed rapidly. Machines took over jobs that had previously been done by hand, meaning they could be done more efficiently.
Our Immerse Visual and Audio Experience
Date 22 October 2021
The use of colourful graphics, which physically divide the Museum’s space, as well as sound effects, are just a few of the ways we immerse visitors into Livingstone’s life and experiences.
Margot Lombaert Inspired By Livingstone
Date 19 August 2021
Have you noticed the stunning line drawings throughout David Livingstone Birthplace? After being brought on in 2019, designer Margot Lombaert worked with the Curatorial Team to create single-line image illustrations to portray elements of Livingstone’s story.
Museum Landscaping Work Receives Much Needed Funding Boost
Date 13 July 2021
David Livingstone Birthplace was delighted to receive a £200 donation from the Asda Foundation’s Green Tokens Scheme and a huge selection of over 200 bedding plants and climbers from local supermarket Asda Blantyre.
Blantyre Works Library Rehousing Project - Creating Book Sleeves
Date 13 June 2020
In reading, everything that I could lay my hands on was devoured... Scientific works and books of travel were my especial delight.
Insights from the Collection - Antelope Skin Kaross
Date 20 May 2020
Learn more about the a cloak made out of Antelope skin traditionally known as a ‘kaross’ that was gifted to David Livingstone.
Discovering Objects in a Diviner’s Medical Kit
Date 12 May 2020
Aimee Murphy talks about her work placement and how it was fascinating to learn more about the collection's objects and their histories. Including her main focus of research on the objects previously catalogued as ‘witch doctor apparatus’.
Conservation Treatment on Haswell Miller’s Painting, 'The Barred Door'
Date 29 April 2020
While David Livingstone Birthplace is currently closed for refurbishment, behind the scenes a team of National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF)-funded museum professionals, volunteers and students have been working to ensure the collection is protected and cared for, including one of Haswell Miller’s paintings, titled The Barred Door.
Alexandra Foulds: Textile Conservation with National Museums Scotland
Date 20 April 2020
David Livingstone Birthplace volunteer Alexandra Foulds describes her experience at a textile conservation workshop at the beginning of September 2019, organised by National Museums Scotland as part of their national training programme.
Austin Ndala Explains Items from David Livingstone Birthplace Collection
Date 28 October 2019
Austin Ndala is a Next Step Initiative trainee with David Livingstone Birthplace. As a trainee, he gets to work in all aspects of museum and heritage practice, from community engagement to conservation.
Pilkington Jackson Tableux
Date 2 August 2019
Charles d’Orville Pilkington Jackson, a prominent 20th Century British sculptor, was known for his work on some of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, including The Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle and statue of Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn.
Lottie Roberts and Lucy Brayson Look Back at Their Time with David Livingstone Birthplace
Date 1 August 2019
Lottie Roberts (Learning and Outreach Trainee) and Lucy Brayson (Curatorial and Community Engagement Trainee) - Skills for Success Learners, Museums Galleries Scotland supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Navigation Handling Box
Date 29 July 2019
We all use maps for different things, but the one thing we have in common is that we use them to navigate or find our way. David Livingstone did the very same thing when he created and used maps to help navigate across Africa in the 1850s during his Trans-African expedition.
The Smoke That Thunders
Date 4 December 2018
16 November 1855 was the 163rd anniversary of David Livingstone reaching the Falls bordering of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
