Brown Best was a 19th century luggage manufacturer and, seeing an opening in the ever-growing outdoor market, decided to start making rucksacks, we think around 1930, using their skills in working with leather and canvas. There followed an array of different rucksacks, mostly metal framed and culminating in the most famous of all – the ‘Cresta’. Frameless rucksacks from companies like Karrimor and Berghaus captured the market in the 1970s, with Brown Best and its style of rucksack fading from the scene.

Mountain Rescue Teams needed to tote their first aid gear up the mountain wherever and whenever and in this case they’ve used a Highland rucksack for the job. We think this one came from the Torridon Mountain Rescue Team (not 100% sure) with the type of rucksack and contents indicating it dates from the 1950s.