 In 1914 discussions began toward finding more permanent homes , both for Bruce 's collection and , following the death that year of oceanographer Sir John Murray , for the specimens and library of the Challenger expedition . Bruce proposed that a new centre should be created as a memorial to Murray . There was unanimous agreement to proceed , but the project was curtailed by the outbreak of war , and not revived . The Scottish Oceanographical Laboratory continued until 1919 , when Bruce , in poor health , was forced to close it , dispersing its contents to the Royal Scottish Museum , the Royal Scottish Geographical Society ( RSGS ) , and the University of Edinburgh . 
