The Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank — Attraction in Scotland

For the size this is a great little museum. Went in on a Monday just before noon and I was the only visitor. Adult ticket was 5gbp. Lots of full scale models on display showing exactly what tools and aspects of shipbuilding were used at the time. Also large placards with information about the display items and the history behind them, as well as the workers there. There are audio recordings from staff from that time. You have to hold the speaker/reciever to your ear to hear properly, but it was so quiet I could hear it just play while still in the holster. Access to the large tank is off limits but you can see down along the tank from the main nexus room on floor 2. An interactive scale model of the testing tank showing what happens in the larger tank is also there but you need to speak to someone to organise a demo. I presume this would be the kind of thing to schedule in advance for a classroom visit and it didn't seem worth it to just ask for a demo for one person. Other prototyping examples and tools are shown on this level along with information about how they were used. There are steps down to floor 1 where larger equipment is set up, and stairs up to the tracer analysis room and the lighthouse exhibit on floor 3. Spoke to a lovely gentleman in the tracer room about the jobs female staff used to perform including drawing out the graph paper and calculating curves for draft angles and bouyancy, etc. He was extremely knowledgable about the equipment and how they worked and how they were used. The lighthouse exhibit was more a sit down and watch video experience with only a few small displays of lighthouse items. The room also contained the childminding area with toys and activities for younger ones. I really liked the blinds in this room as they had monochrome photolithographic images of old photos that you could see when the sun came through behind them. Very neat. Lastly wanted to shout out the lovely lady at reception who led me in and pointed out all the off-limits areas and places to be cautious as the building is old, as well as the locations of the stairs up and down. Very friendly, attentive and happy to answer any queries. She was even able to (literally) point me in the direction of a good nearby place for lunch as I...

Interesting little place for adults and kids alike. There are activities for children to do including experimenting with different shaped ships in a tank, working out how to use gears, using cranes and weights to balance a board, and making ping pong balls hover to pass through obstacles. There's also a 'find the elephants' activity sheet kids can do.

The museum is, by it's nature, more suited to people with an interest in engineering and ship design, but will also appeal to those who enjoy local history and hands-on activities.

There is a small gift shop and a small tea room. The tea room is an attractive quaint space that operates on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

The place is NOT suited to those in a wheelchair and may prove difficult for those with mobility issues. There is a steep staircase to enter the building and further steps and steep stairs inside, in addition to trip hazards. I would recommend calling ahead to check if it would be suitable for those with specific physical difficulties before paying a visit.

The entry price is very reasonable and is necessary to fund the maintenance of the museum. A meal from McDonalds is more expensive (and there is one opposite!).

There is parking directly in front of the museum, and a green space and picnic bench.

I am looking forward to returning in order to more fully explore...

This is a small museum but still has a working woodwork room. It is a shipyard museum for William Denny and his desendants who built ships for the clyde. It is now decommissioned but the living history has made dumbartons legacy live on. At its heyday it was considered by many as "the best place to work". For those into history and especially ships this is a place for you. Take a step back in time, hear the voices of the past, immerse yourself in the stories of great men, who built the legacy. Locals know how dumbarton is highly regarded, from its castles, jails and ships, this part of history is a long standing tradition. For adults it is £5.00 per adult to enter, children are free to do so. There is a tea room that is cash only, museum takes card, it serves tea, coffee, cakes, toasties etc. Step back in time, refresh your imagination, be inspired and...