A Whale Of An Exhibit In Victoria

The Royal British Columbia Museum will unveil its latest exhibit, “Whales: The Enduring Legacy,” Friday, just in time for its peak visitor season.

An articulated, 33-foot-long gray whale skeleton will greet entrants to a display that includes mythology, traditions and tribal history, conservation, biology and the commercial whaling industry.

One year ago, the museum completed an $8 million upgrade that included a new lobby, spruced-up entry and other changes. It also launched a series of 47 eco-tour excursions that include snorkeling with salmon, spelunking in the Horne Lake caves and rafting the remote Babine River.

For more information on The Royal British Columbia Museum, call 1-800-661-5411.

New museum: A new Civil War museum opened in Baltimore Saturday, the 136th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Sumter and the launch of the war.

The Baltimore Civil War Museum tells the stories of the Pratt Street Riot, which saw the first casualties of the war; the occupation of Baltimore by federal troops; and the underground railway escapes along the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Railroad.

The museum’s address is 601 President St. Phone: (410) 385-5188.

Look both ways in U.K., too: Terrorism occasionally pops up in the United Kingdom, but it’s the driving you have to be on guard against.

That’s reflected in the U.S. State Department’s recently revised consular information sheet on Britain, which notes that in the last two years there have been at least three deaths of U.S. tourists who stepped in front of buses.

The information sheet reminds pedestrians to look both ways before stepping off curbs, as traffic flows opposite U.S. patterns.

There also have been several incidents of “road rage” that led to the deaths of two motorists. “While these incidents are rare, those renting cars should be aware of them and maintain a low profile while driving in order not to irritate other drivers,” the advisory says.

Scottish links: A new championship golf course just opened in the Scottish Borders, near Kelso, 43 miles from Edinburgh. The 18-hole Roxburghe course is set in 250 acres of the estate owned by the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe.

Designed by one of Britain’s leading golf course architects, Dave Thomas, the 7,111-yard course is situated near the banks of the River Teviot and follows the contours and features of the landscape, a mixture of mature woodland and rolling parkland.

The Roxburghe, which is the only championship-standard golf course in the Scottish Borders, is open to non-members and suits all handicap levels. Greens fees are $33 a round or $50 a day Monday to Friday; $47 a round or $67 for a day on weekends and public holidays.

Two-night golfing breaks at the 22-bedroom Sunlaws House country hotel cost $367 a person in a standard double room, or $426 a person for an executive room, including breakfast, dinner and tax.

Contact the Roxburghe Golf Course in Kelso, Roxburghe TD5 8JZ; telephone (44-1573) 450331.