The constant heavy rain proved an ideal time to go to the National Museum in Edinburgh to see the important 700 year old “Declaration of Arbroath” document which is on display till the end of the week.  As always there is so much to see in the museum including a huge clock.
Each hour between 11 am and 4 pm, the sound of music draws the crowds to the Millenium Clock in the National Museum inn Edinburgh.  Many people are amazed at the size of the clock tower and all the strange figures and machinery within the kinetic structure which includes a lot of scrap metal.  It does look gruesome  as much of it is symbolic of the past century when there was “no other century when so many people were killed for nothing, for being the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time.” It also relates to many of the achievements during the time although they are less apparent.
Right at the top of the clock tower is The Spire, empty apart from its bell. A figure stands at the very top, a female figure carrying a dead man. This is the Pietà, from the Italian for compassion and pity. It acts as a symbol for what has gone before and the strength we need to move forward.
It seems that the symbolism of the past continues today for many people throughout the world who are killed for nothing throughout the world and sometimes it is hard for others to find much hope.
An interesting site is here.