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A 119-year-old message in a bottle was discovered during a unique behind-the-scenes tour of Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre, leaving a theatre enthusiast astonished. Mike Hume, one of the theatre’s donors, uncovered the century-old bottle while on scaffolding 40ft (12m) above the stage, hidden behind an ornate crown decoration. The find, which revealed a list of people involved in the theatre’s construction in 1906, was described as “incredibly thrilling” by Abby Pendlebury, the theatre’s heritage manager.
Describing the moment of discovery as reminiscent of a scene from Indiana Jones, Mr. Hume shared that curiosity drove him to reach behind the crown, leading to the unexpected find. The bottle, containing a note signed by contractor W S Cruikshank, was embedded in plaster at the top. Specialized experts were needed to carefully cut the top off and extract the glued-together note hidden within. Recovered details from the note shed light on the individuals behind the construction of the historic Edwardian theatre.
Among the listed names in the note, prominent figures such as William Stewart Cruickshank, the lead contractor, and head architect John Daniel Swanston, were revealed. The discovery triggered a collaborative effort between BBC Scotland and the theatre to expand on the uncovered information, providing a deeper insight into the lives of the men mentioned in the note. Plans are in place to showcase the bottle and note, along with the acquired details, in a new exhibition room within the theatre.
The ongoing £40.7m redevelopment project of The King’s Theatre involves incorporating modern features, such as new lifts and enhanced ventilation systems, while preserving its historical essence. Scheduled for completion in spring 2026, the reopening of the theatre will mark a significant milestone in its rich history, now complemented by the exciting discovery of the aged message in a bottle. Abby Pendlebury expressed her amazement at finding the bottle and emphasized the human connection evident in the list of names uncovered from the relic
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