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Eric Liddell Exhibition

Eric Liddell: Legacy of an Olympic Legend

An exhibition showcasing the remarkable life of ‘the Flying Scotsman’.

Visit the Exhibition at The Eric Liddell Community in Edinburgh

The ‘Eric Liddell: Legacy of an Olympic Legend’ exhibition was first launched at the Scottish Parliament in the Summer of 2024 as part of The Eric Liddell 100. Pop-up versions were also displayed in Glasgow, Tianjin China and Hong Kong.

Following on from the events of 2024, the exhibition now has a permanent home at the charity’s base at Holy Corner in Edinburgh, where local residents, visitors, and people of all ages, can continue to learn about Eric Liddell. The exhibition was opened by our Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in April 2025.

From his sporting achievements and success at the 1924 Paris Olympics, to the lesser-known story of his life in China, the exhibition considers how the values of passion, compassion and integrity shaped Eric’s life. It will help to ensure that his legacy continues to inspire new generations for many years to come.

Items on Display Include

The Exhibition also features:
• An original chemistry workbook written by Eric Liddell in Weihsien Internment Camp in 1943
• 1924 Paris Olympic Games medals won by Eric Liddell – Gold 400m, Bronze 200m and a Participation medal. Replica medals are on display, the original medals are held on behalf of the Liddell family by The University of Edinburgh
• Original medals won by Eric Liddell throughout his sporting career
• Scottish Rugby Cap – reissued to the Liddell family in 2017
• Scottish Sports Hall of Fame award, awarded to Eric Liddell in 2002
• Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame award, 2022
• World Athletics Legends Plaque, awarded in 2024.

Vase

Vase presented to Eric Liddell, issued to 1924 Paris Olympic Games gold medal winners.

Eric Liddell Portrait

Eric Liddell (1902-1945) by Eileen Soper, 1925. 1925. Print of original oil on canvas portrait painted in 1925. The original is in the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland and is on display at the Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

Maquette

Eric Liddell, maquette and bust by Amelia Rowcroft, 2023 © Amelia Rowcroft

Access and Opening Times

The exhibition is located on the ground floor of The Eric Liddell Community Hub.

The exhibition is free to visit (donations are welcome) during the normal opening hours of the Community Hub.

Groups are welcome to visit the exhibition. If visiting with a group, you may wish to consider booking a room at the Hub to allow space for discussions, activities or catering. See Rooms & Offices to Rent – The Eric Liddell Community for further information. It would also be useful to let us know in advance of any larger group visits – frontdesk@ericliddell.org 0131 447 4520.

The exhibition includes written text, images and objects on display. A digital display with audio speaker includes Eric Liddell 100 films with subtitles and BSL translation. Digital content also includes an image library and hand written items from our archive.

A souvenir brochure is available to purchase from our Front Desk.

We value your feedback

If you have visited our exhibition, please complete a short survey about your experience by following the link below

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Acknowledgements & Thanks

Exhibition design & build – Nomad Exhibitions.

Thanks to the Scottish Parliament, University of Edinburgh, National Galleries of Scotland, Lyon and Turnbull & Team Scotland for their support, loans and advice.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the exhibition through donations made to The Eric Liddell 100 programme.

Your donations are essential to the continued development and maintenance of the exhibition, so please help us if you can.

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