But a switchboard that was used to make the last manually-connected call in Scotland has now been given recognition as one of the UK's top telecommunications artefacts.

The switchboard, used by operator Agnes Dewar to make the last manually connected call in the UK in October 1976, makes number three in the list compiled by British Telecom to celebrate Museums and Galleries Month.

Alison Taubman, of National Museums Scotland, said: "We're delighted that one of our artefacts has been recognised by BT Heritage in its top ten. The manual switchboard, one of 12 which made up the exchange at Portree on the Isle of Skye, is a very exciting piece of telecommunications equipment from a bygone era."

The full collection is available at www.connected-earth.com/artefacts.