New Exhibit Launches at U of G Library

Charting Scottish Travels: The Origins of Tourism in Scotland 

A new exhibit, titled Charting Scottish Travels: The Origins of Tourism in Scotland, launches at the University of Guelph’s McLaughlin Library on March 25, 2025. Curated by U of G students, this exhibit explores Scottish tourism, and the different ways it came to be such a sought-after destination for many travelers. 

Alluring landscapes, the development of railways, and rising incomes, led to the rise of tourism 

Many things likely contributed to the popularity of Scottish tourism, including its beautiful landscapes. The Scottish Highlands, for instance, is characterized by diverse terrain featuring picturesque mountains (such as Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the U.K.), lochs, rivers, and the rugged islands of the Hebrides. New infrastructure and industry may have also led to the rise in tourism across the county. With the development of railways and rising incomes, tourism increased, which spawned the development of businesses catering to those interested in exploring the country. Samuel Johnson and James Boswell’s tour of Scotland in the late eighteenth century helped to spark the Caledonian tour of the nineteenth century, which was above all, a Highland affair. 

Guidebooks, tickets, maps, and other resources, became part of the apparatus of travel 

In addition to the breathtaking landscapes, travel materials themselves, may have also led to the increase in tourism in the region. Items such as guidebooks, tickets, maps, travelogues, and postcards, became part of the draw—providing travelers a way to share and document their experiences. These are the types of items you’ll find on display in the exhibit. “The University’s Scottish Studies Collection is one of the most extensive collections of Scottish materials located outside of the U.K. It includes materials related to the study of Scottish emigration and settlement in Ontario and turbulent episodes of Scottish history,” said Melissa McAfee, special collections librarian, Archival & Special Collections, McLaughlin Library. 

The process of curating the exhibit – hands on experiential learning opportunities for students 

A group of U of G students curated the exhibit under the supervision of Dr. Kevin James, Scottish Studies Foundation Chair, and professor, Department of History, and Melissa McAfee. “This experience gave students pathways to careers that have the potential to integrate appreciation of the humanities with viable professions in universities, museums, and other cultural heritage settings,” said McAfee. 

Student curators play different roles to make the exhibit come to life. Students in Dr. James’ HIST*3560 researched the historical significance of the objects on display which helped them to develop an appreciation for the effective material presentation of these objects. Students who worked as apprentices with McAfee learned the importance of design and preservation in effectively installing materials, creating promotional materials, and developing the launch itself. 

What the students had to say about their learning experiences 

• “Learning the process of exhibit preparation has been a worthwhile experience because it prompted me to condense my work into a digestible format for a general audience. This is a useful skill for communicating the core value of my work to individuals who have not invested as much time as myself in this area of research,” said Connor, student curator, Bachelor of Arts. 

• “Getting to learn in such a small environment directly with Dr. James and only seven classmates was one of the best learning environments I’ve ever had. The energy in the room was always so positive and supportive, I feel like I was constantly learning but it was always enjoyable. The collaborative nature of the class, not only between students, but also our professor made this class so unique and made the entire experience so approachable,” said Rachel, student curator, Bachelor of Arts. 

• “Having a learning experience like this allows me to gain hands-on learning while in my undergrad that goes beyond textbook knowledge. It exposed me to real life scenarios and challenges while continuously being exciting and fun! It allowed me to grow academically, professionally, and personally, preparing me for my future—wherever that takes me.” said Zoe, student curator, Bachelor of Arts. 

• “Having an experience like this helped me fully understand what I want to do as a career in the future. It helped me realize my hopes of becoming a librarian and to work in the humanities. Change and growth can only come when people are given the opportunity to learn, and I was lucky enough to be offered that. I will use what I learned from this experience to better me in the future and to set myself up to achieve my goals,” said Holly, student curator, Bachelor of Arts. 

Help us celebrate the work of these students and launch the exhibit on March 25, 2025 

Join us for an evening learning about Scottish tourism and browsing materials from the collection, including rare materials from as early as the 18th century. At the launch, you’ll hear from some of the student curators, and from keynote speaker, Dr. Kevin James. 

Festivities begin at 5:15 p.m., on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Registration is now open.

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