National Museums Scotland will reopen the National Museum of Flight, National Museum of Rural Life and the National Museum of Scotland next month.
With a range of safety measures in place they are raring to see visitors again, although ask that they book a timed entry slot.
Dr Chris Breward, Director of National Museums Scotland said: “We’ve missed our visitors and are thrilled to be welcoming them back to our museums. We have enjoyed creating a vibrant digital experience during closure, but nothing compares with that exhilarating feeling which comes from encountering real objects in our unique buildings. It has been a difficult time for so many and we know our museums have a vital role to play in people’s lives – as places to enjoy time with family and friends, promoting well-being and offering inspiration through our wonderful collections.
“The safety of our staff and visitors is paramount and everyone can feel confident that we have been working incredibly hard across all of our sites to ensure their visit will be both safe and enjoyable. Things may feel a little different when you visit, but we are still here, your much-loved museums, with a few additional measures to keep you safe.”
All images © Stewart Attwood Photography 2020.
All museums will operate their normal opening hours except for the National Museum of Scotland which will open from 10.30 – 16.30. This is to allow the large staff team to arrive and implement their daily health and safety checks of the building safely.
The visitor experience at all the museums has been reviewed and to begin with there will be a more limited offer than usual at each museum, with ‘high-touch’ areas, and spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained remaining closed.
All images © Stewart Attwood Photography 2020.
Online booking for the National Museum of Flight opens on 31 July 2020. Visitors will enjoy free admission to the historic airfield and Concorde hangar from 5-16 August, with paid entry resuming on 17 August with the opening of additional hangars.
Online booking for the National Museum of Rural Life opens on 7 August 2020. The historic farmhouse will remain closed but visitors will be able to enjoy the museum and farm.
Online booking for free tickets to the National Museum of Scotland opens on 14 August 2020. The reopening of galleries will be phased, with the entrance hall and level 1 galleries including the Grand Gallery opening first, and further floors opening in due course.
The latest information and guidance on how to visit all museums can be found on our website: nms.ac.uk/reopening
National Museums Scotland has been awarded the UK-wide, industry standard “We’re Good To Go” accreditation. This means we have been following Government and public health guidelines, have carried our Covid-19 risk assessments and have the appropriate processes in place.
Opening Dates:
National Museum of Flight Wednesday 5 August 2020
National Museum of Rural Life Wednesday 12 August 2020
National Museum of Scotland Wednesday 19 August 2020
All images © Stewart Attwood Photography 2020.
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