Rain gauge (detail)

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This is a detail from a floating-scale rain gauge used at the Ben Nevis Observatory, which was in operation from 1883 to 1904. The rain gauge was made in the late 19th century by Bryson of Edinburgh.

The detail shows the scale which floats to show how much is contained in the tube. It is stamped with the maker's name 'BRYSON/EDINR'.

Suggestions made by Thomas Stevenson in 1842 led to the general adoption throughout the British Isles of a standard height of one foot (30.5 cm) (above 'short turf') for the mouth of a rain gauge.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-811-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1983.124
• Date: Late 19th century
  
• Material: Rain-gauge, floating scale
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Rain-gauge, floating scale
  
• Subject: 10. METEOROLOGY (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Bryson, Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Three-inch floating scale rain-gauge, used at the Ben Nevis Observatory, by Bryson, Edinburgh, late 19th century
  
• References:
  • For Bryson, see Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989, pp 11 
  • Middleton, W. E. Knowles, Invention of the Meteorological Instruments. Baltimore, 1969, pp 133-74 
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