THE bicentenary of David Livingstone's birth was marked when his great-great grandson presented health bosses with a historic gavel.
It was carved from the wood of the tree where the heart of the medical missionary and explorer was buried after he died in Zambia in 1873.
Livingstone's descen-dant, Neil Wilson, presen- ted it to the chairman of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Andrew Robertson.
Mr Wilson, of Bears- den, is paediatric orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill.
The gavel has a long connection with the health service in Glasgow. It was used by the NHS Executive Council for the City of Glasgow from the creation of the NHS in 1948 until 1974. It was then held in archives.
Mr Wilson said: "To have such a tangible link is a great reminder that the events of the past live on."
Mr Robertson said: "Following David Livingstone's death Florence Nightingale described him as 'the greatest man of the age' and it is indeed an honour to receive this gavel which will be put on display for our visitors to see.
"Given Livingstone's strong links to medicine in Glasgow, it is fitting for us to be responsible for the safekeeping of this most extraordinary of artefacts."
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