The Royal Scots Regimental Museum will be hosting its annual week-long community outreach exhibition, known as GRETNA 110, at Out of the Blue Drill Hall Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh EH6 8RG. The event will run from 10.00am to 4.30pm each day until Saturday, 24 May 2025. GRETNA 110 is dedicated to commemorating the 110th anniversary of Britain’s worst rail disaster at Quintinshill, near Gretna, on 22 May 1915. The exhibition aims to raise awareness of the 227 individuals who lost their lives in the tragic crash, including the 216 Royal Scots officers and soldiers of the 1st/7th (Leith) Battalion who were en route to Gallipoli. Additionally, the impact of the disaster on the Leith and wider Lothians community will be highlighted.
The exhibition, taking place at the former Battalion’s Drill Hall in 1915, was inaugurated by Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton and Depute Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Councillor Lezley Cameron. The disaster had a profound effect on the closely-knit Leith and Musselburgh communities, with many families experiencing the loss of multiple family members. Following the crash, a temporary mortuary was set up at the Battalion’s Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street, and later, the majority of the deceased were laid to rest at Rosebank Cemetery, Pilrig Street. A Memorial Service is scheduled to occur at the cemetery on 24 May, with a separate service to be held in Gretna on the anniversary of the tragedy.
The GRETNA 110 exhibition will feature a variety of components, such as a short film titled ‘Leith’s Darkest Dawn’, which delves into the crash and its aftermath. Artefacts salvaged from the wreckage, including a molten rifle and bugle, as well as a paper knife crafted from one of the carriages’ wood, will be on display. A dedicated Research Room will provide access to The Royal Scots records, with genealogy and medals experts available to assist visitors. The exhibition will also showcase moving narratives from soldiers and their families, highlighting the significant role played by the communities of Gretna and Carlisle following the disaster. Additionally, long-lasting sporting connections, including football, boxing, and swimming, will be explored, along with Leith Academy’s creative exhibit display on GRETNA 110.
Brigadier George Lowder, MBE, Chair of The Royal Scots Trust, emphasized the importance of remembering those who perished in the crash and the profound impact on their families. Robin Bell, reflecting on the tragedy, shared the story of his father Ian, a platoon commander who survived the disaster but lost many of his men. Susie Hamilton, the Scottish Veterans Commissioner, underscored the significance of the exhibition in honoring the young men who lost their lives while preparing to serve their country, acknowledging the heartbreak endured by local families and preserving a poignant chapter in the nation’s history. The event aims to ensure that the memory of the Quintinshill disaster remains alive and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who were on the path to defend their country.
