Interactive touchscreens to be launched at HMFC museum

The Foundation of Hearts and Heart of Midlothian Football Club are happy to announce the launch of a new interactive exhibit at the HMFC Museum as part of the Maroon Mile Project. The project has been led by the Heart of Midlothian Heritage Department at Tynecastle Park and has been generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Foundation of Hearts, and the Heart of Midlothian Football Club would like to thank the National Lottery players. 

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players our support is creating new opportunities to involve supporters and the wider local community in exploring, recording and sharing the heritage of Heart of Midlothian Football Club with Maroon Mile.”

The Heart of Midlothian has enjoyed iconic status in Gorgie and neighbouring Dalry since the late 19th century with a rich history that is ingrained with that of the local community. The Maroon Mile project has highlighted, captured and is now sharing the history of this diversely rich and vibrant working-class area. The project encompasses a mile-long heritage trail which starts at Haymarket War Memorial and finishes at Tynecastle Park. The touchscreens and the HMFC Museum will form the end of the trail. 

The new exhibit consists of three interactive touchscreens which showcase a range of material collected as part of the project including a new oral history archive, a Top Trumps game and a timeline. Over the last year, the Oral History Curator has been working closely with the Club and the local community to capture a range of stories, experiences and voices reflective of the area. The new interactive will allow visitors to listen to the stories and engage with new memories never captured before. 

Museum Manager, Davy Allan says "The three new touchscreens in the museum mark an exciting development in our visitor engagement, diving into the history of the club and the local community in a fun and engaging way."

Adding a fun and creative element to the museum is an interactive Top Trumps game featuring many of the Hearts’ beloved players who have pulled on the maroon jersey since the Club’s inception. 

The interactive timeline will showcase an array of new research, player biographies, museum objects, personal memories and photographs. It has been designed to be used as a fun educational tool to inspire and engage visitors. 

Ann Park, Director of Community & Partnerships commented: “We are proud to unveil new state-of-the-art touch screens.  Their addition to the Hearts Museum allows us to share so much more of the rich 150-year long heritage of the Club and the part it has played in the communities of Gorgie and Dalry. They bring to life the forward-thinking and innovative research that has been undertaken as part of our Maroon Mile project and create a highly engaging resource for all.  Their position as the final point in the forthcoming Heritage Trail will be a source of pride and celebration for supporters and local citizens and will delight visitors in equal measure.”

The Heart of Midlothian Heritage Department oversees the HMFC Museum, Stadium and Bus tours and events associated with the history and heritage of the Club. 

The touchscreens will be open to visitors from Saturday 17th May 2025. The HMFC Museum is open Thursday to Saturday 10am – 4pm and 10am until 2pm on Sundays.

For further information or queries about The Maroon Mile Project, please contact Karen Mailley via maroonmile@homplc.co.uk