Letter: Making a splash without the pools
It is acknowledged that museums are not just buildings, but are collections of interrelated objects and artifacts. They are always "works in progress" in which a careful balance has to be achieved between education, entertainment, serious academic study and conservation.
Passing reference has been made to the removal of the "fish pools". I recall that these were installed in the 1960s for the practical reason of humidifying the main hall and overcoming problems that caused damage to its floor tiles; they also provided a focal point, a seating area, and a central meeting place from which the magnificent structure of the building could be viewed. The introduction of fish into the pools was an afterthought. While regretting the loss of much-needed seating for rest and reflection, a more flexible space has now been created. No doubt, modern climate control measures will overcome the past problem of lifting floor tiles!
Anthony Finlay, Edinburgh