New look revealed for David Livingstone’s birthplace museum

● More than 3,000 exhibits to go on display when project is complete

explorer and is still revered as one of the great European explorers of Africa. But today he is widely thought to be better known in Africa than in Scotland.

More than 3,000 artefacts related to Livingstone will be on display at the new-look museum, which will be getting its first major overhaul since it opened in the 1920s. Work is due to start within 12 months and be completed by 2019.

Dr Isabel Bruce, chairwoman of the David Livingston Trust, which runs the museum, which is only currently open at the weekend, said: “The project will re-ignite the powerful story of David Livingstone for new generations and further strengthen the worldwide connections that Livingstone, his principles and legacy have inspired not just locally but globally.

“The centre will become a key resource for learning about his heritage and his far reaching impact in – science, health, exploration, faith and humanitarian endeavour.

“Visitors will travel from all corners of the globe to explore his story and we believe will become a part of Livingstone’s living legacy through this transformative project, that will ensure his impact continues to be felt locally, nationally and internationally for future generations.”

Livingstone studied medicine, theology and Greek in Glasgow before completing his medical studies in London. He joined the London Missionary Society and was ordained in 1840.

From 1841 until his death in 1873, Livingstone explored central and southern Africa. His aim was to spread Christianity, commerce and “civilisation”, but as a skilled navigator, linguist and natural historian, his later missions were more concerned with exploration.

In 1849 and 1851, he travelled across the Kalahari Desert, and sighted the upper Zambezi River. In 1842, he began a four-year expedition to find a route from the upper Zambezi to the coast. This filled huge gaps in western knowledge of central and southern Africa.

In 1855, Livingstone discovered a spectacular waterfall, which he named Victoria Falls. He reached the mouth of the Zambezi on the Indian Ocean in May 1856, becoming the first European to cross southern Africa.

0 International development minister Alasdair Allan at the David Livingstone museum yesterday