8 Revolutionary Scottish inventions and inventors

2. The pneumatic tyre 

Keeping the wheels turning on our list of Scottish inventions is Robert Thomson. Although Ayrshire-born John Boyd Dunlop is often credited with the invention of the pneumatic tyre for his son's bicycle, Robert Thomson of Stonehaven was actually the first to create the pneumatic tyre for use in horse drawn carriages! Check out these fantastic experiences for a wheely good time! 

Knockhill Racing Circuit, Dunfermline – get behind the wheel and feel like a Formula 1 driver as you take a spin in your very own race car or enjoy motorsport activities. 

Landyachting with Blown Away, St Andrews – land yachting combines sailing and motor racing into one. Enjoy a fun day out at West Sands beach in St Andrews, where you’ll be given a full demonstration on how to sail a land yacht. 

4x4 Adventures Scotland, Loch Lomond – you’ll be given the keys to a Land Rover Defender helping you to tackle the most challenging terrains with a variety of experiences available. 

3. The fridge 

The fridge has been a saviour when it comes to keeping our food nice and fresh. It’s all thanks to William Cullen. In 1748, Cullen demonstrated his discovery of artificial refrigeration at Glasgow University by using a pump to create a small vacuum over a container of diethyl ether. However, Cullen’s marvellous creation received a cold reception, and it took many years before people began using fridges. Today, there are more than 500 million fridges across the globe. 

If you’re holidaying in Shetland and looking for a tasty pick-me-up, make sure to visit the Original Cake Fridge, where the fridge is restocked daily with fresh cakes and bakes. 

Stop for a slice of cake at the Original Cake Fridge

5. Kaleidoscope 

When it comes to Scottish inventions, there are a few on this list which are quite surprising, including the birth of the kaleidoscope! Invented in 1816 by Scottish scientist Sir David Brewster, a kaleidoscope creates a beautiful myriad of colours and patterns by bouncing light off angled glass lenses or mirrors and onto colourful bits of glass or other small objects. 

You can find lots of kaleidoscopes at Camera Obscura in Edinburgh, including the Giant Kaleidosphere, which uses mirrors, lights and coloured patterns that create lots of interesting designs and shapes. Make your way to the fourth floor at the Kaleido-Draw, where the whole family can enjoy creating unique, symmetrical patterns. 

6. Dolly the sheep – first mammal to be cloned 

You might associate Scotland’s wildlife with fluffy Highland cows, red deer, and golden eagles. However, a certain sheep has made a big name for itself in the past. Dolly the sheep was the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. She was grown from a single mammary cell which contained all the information to create a whole new sheep. Dolly died in 2003 but can be seen on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. 

8. Colour photograph 

Sometimes all you need is a little splash of colour. Often referred to as the ‘Father of Modern Physics’, Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell is responsible for the world’s first colour photograph. In 1855, Maxwell introduced the three-colour method and conducted an experiment to show that all colours can be made by an appropriate mixture of red, green, and blue light. During a lecture in 1861, he revealed the first colour photograph of a tartan ribbon. 

Colour photography makes it possible to take beautiful pics of Scotland. Whatever time of year you’re visiting, photos are the best souvenir to take home and reminisce until you come back. 

Find your next Scottish destination to visit