Rolling into town with the help of the Auld Reekie Roller Girls, the Capital’s new Active City: Celebrating Sport in Edinburgh museum exhibition opens this weekend (Saturday 5 July).

Exploring the Capital’s long association with sport and the Commonwealth Games, the Museum of Edinburgh’s latest exhibition is a celebration of local heroes and professional sporting greats in the city. The exhibition will cover three floors and journey through six centuries of playing games, starting with the earliest recorded mention of ‘sport’ in Edinburgh in 1424.

Ken Buchanan’s boxing gloves and title belts; Chris Hoy’s cycling helmet from the Beijing Olympics; swimming caps worn by Olympic and Paralympic winners Craig Benson and Jim Anderson; and Queen’s Batons and memorabilia from the 1970 and 1986 Commonwealth Games hosted by Edinburgh are just some of the items to be displayed.

The exhibition will follow the beginning of sport in the city and celebrate local sport clubs and heroes, from the emergence of bowls, curling and golf in the city, to the history of Murrayfield ice rink and emergence of Hearts and Hibs football clubs.

On display until 29 November, entry to the exhibition is free for all. The Museum of Edinburgh is owned and managed by the City of Edinburgh Council.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion, said: “From becoming the first city to host the Commonwealth Games twice to gearing up to this year’s diving at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, sport in Edinburgh has a long history and this exhibition is quite rightfully a proud celebration of that.

“Whether you’re a player or a fan, a cyclist or an Old Firm supporter, the Active Edinburgh exhibition has something for everyone and engages not only with the famous faces to grace sport in Edinburgh but also the local heroes and grassroots clubs who truly nurture and continue to develop sport in their communities.”

Kirstie Meehan, member of the Auld Reekie Roller Girls, said: “We're delighted to be involved with the Active Edinburgh: Celebrating Sport in the City exhibition. Roller derby is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and Auld Reekie Roller Girls are proud to be ranked number 3 in Europe.

"This exhibition will show visitors what we do, as well as who we are: a supportive and inclusive D-I-Y community of people of all backgrounds, but also one of Scotland's most successful amateur sports teams!”