Something completely different

Today I actually left the house and it wasn't to go curling!
I'd had a cancelled delivery of one of my Chritsmas presents for my grandson and the nearest shop with the gift in stock was in Hamilton, a 15 -20 minutes drive away. The car park at the ice rink is convenient (and free to curlers) for the main shopping street, and next door to Hamilton museum. This piece of machinery is displayed in the forecourt of the museum and I thought it would make a welcomed alternative blip to the birds and flowers that I've photographed recently. I'm unsure what it is exactly and there is no notice explaning what it is, but Low Parks Museum traces the local history of South Lanarkshire and is set within two historic buildings of national importance.

The museum is situated in the former Low Parks of the Duke of Hamilton's estates. The first of the two buildings is Portland, built in 1696 as the private home of David Crawford, secretary and lawyer to the 3rd Duke and Duchess of Hamilton. The other building is the former Palace Riding School, built in 1837 by Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton. Within the museum are displays relating to Hamilton Palace, to working life (including agriculture, weaving, and coalmining) and the history of the local regiment, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).

Given this information I'm assuming that it is a piece of mining machinery, possibly a drill. There is more information on the museum on the web and it looks an interesting place to take the children during a possible rainy day in the coming holidays.