Voyage of the Scotia 1902-04

The Antarctic

Omond House with skis in foreground

Omond House was erected in 1903 on Laurie Island in the South Orkney Islands to accommodate members of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, led by William Bruce.

It was named after Scottish meteorologist Robert T Omond who had, in 1883, become the first superintendent of the meteorological observatory on the 1344m (4406ft) summit of Ben Nevis (the highest point in the British Isles). Omond was a strong supporter of the idea of making meteorological observations in Antarctica.

The skis remind us that Bruce, who had been in charge of the Ben Nevis observatory from 1894 to 1896, was possibly the first person to use skis in Scotland. He had been given a Norwegian pair while stationed at the observatory.