24 April 2008

ROYAL MUSEUM TURNS A PAGE

Two leading Scottish authors are poised to lead a diverse line up of entertainment to mark the start of the £46.4 million Royal Museum Project. Conversations with Kate Atkinson and Maggie O’Farrell will be just one of the many entertainments planned for a weekend of celebration on 26 and 27 April at the National Museum of Scotland.

The free event, with a performance by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, will include a vibrant and diverse collection of live music, workshops, tours, children’s activities, performance, dance and appearances from local celebrities to captivate both young and old and highlight this important milestone for the museum, part of which will close for the three-year project.

Performances from various local schools and talented young traditional musicians will take place throughout the weekend. For the children, puppeteers, face painting, stilt walkers, jugglers, a treasure trail and the chance to meet characters straight out of the pages of history are just some of the things that will keep them entertained over the weekend. Visitors will also have the opportunity to get up close and personal with museum objects and can try their hand at circus skills, badge making and Indian dance.

Last chance tours of the museum will be available over the two days, an energetic Celebration Ceilidh will keep spirits high and the world-renowned Red Hot Chilli Pipers bring the weekend to an end with a stirring closing ceremony hosted by Forth One presenter, Grant Stott.

Jane Ferguson, Head of Marketing and Communications said:

“Our Celebration Weekend will be jam-packed with activities and is a great opportunity to enjoy and support our museum as it reaches this significant milestone. It is also a way of saying thank you to our regular visitors who know and love the museum. This is an exciting time in our history, and while we will be sad to temporarily close parts of the museum, over half will remain open with an exciting programme of events and exhibitions continuing. We look forward to a transformed Museum when we reopen in 2011.”

National Museums Scotland is undertaking a £46.4m redevelopment of the Victorian Royal Museum building, part of its flagship site the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street, Edinburgh. Over half of the National Museum of Scotland will remain open throughout the project and the full building is set to re-open in 2011. The project is jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (£17.8 million), and the Scottish Government (£16 million), with a further £12 million from fundraising.

The Celebration Weekend will take place over 26- 27 April 2008, from 10.00 -17.00.

For more information visit: www.nms.ac.uk/celebration

Maggie O’Farrell will appear in conversation with Jenny Brown on Saturday 26, 13.00-14.00.

Kate Atkinson will appear in conversation with Di Hope on Sunday 27, 13.00-14.00.

To book for either event call 0131 225 7534.

The events are free.

In association with the Edinburgh International Book Festival.