3 Scottish museums open over Easter weekend following capital projects

Congratulations to all the dedicated museum teams and communities on the exciting wave of Scottish museum openings this month. Three Scottish museums opened their doors over the Easter weekend after large capital projects and a further two new museums are set to open at the end of the month.

Perth Museum, formerly Perth’s City Hall, opened its doors for the first time on Saturday, March 30 after a £27 million redevelopment project. The brand new museum showcases Perth’s historical and contemporary significance in Scotland through its collections, with the Stone of Destiny (also known as the Stone of Scone) placed at the heart of the museum. Designed by Dutch architect, Mecanoo, the building is fully accessible for visitors and free to enter. The museum space also includes a café, shop, learning and event spaces, and a diverse exhibition schedule throughout the year.

The Scottish Crannog Centre opened at its new site in Dalerb on Loch Tay on Monday, April 1, nearly three years after a devastating fire destroyed their replica crannog building. The £2.7 million project is the result of a large team effort, with members of the local community volunteering their time to help build parts of the site. The new Iron Age Village features seven archeologically inspired buildings crafted from local materials. Visitors can experience Iron Age life with hands-on activities, demonstrations, and crafts.

Provand’s Lordship re-opened on Friday, March 29 after a £1.6 million refurbishment. Built in 1471, Provand’s Lordship is Glasgow’s oldest house and one of four surviving medieval buildings in the city. The building underwent various repairs to restore it to its authentic 15th-century appearance including repairs to the roof, chimneys, and downpipes as well as a new lime harling render to better preserve the building’s exterior walls. Visitors can enjoy the 17th century furniture and royal portraits that are on display as well as a programme of events organised to mark the re-opening.

In an exciting month for the Scottish museum sector, two new museums are also set to open later this April.  

The Wyllieum is set to open its doors for the first time on April 26. The new art gallery in the heart of Greenock will showcase the artwork of Glasgow-born George Wyllie. Wyllie became a full-time artist in his late fifties after retiring as a Customs and Excise Officer. His famous work Spires will be on display until September this year alongside the gallery’s permanent collection.

Crieff & Strathearn Museum will also open for the first time this spring. Located in Crieff’s former Town Hall, the museum aims to become a valuable community resource that will entertain and educate visitors. The venue will feature displays about Strathearn’s history as well as a programme of events, museum tours, and performances. 

Investment from the UK Government and local authorities, alongside community engagement and crowdfunding, have played a vital role in the development of these museums. These investments not only foster connections with both new and existing audiences but also contribute to job creation, skills development, and the overall support of local economies.

See the full list of Scottish museums currently open on our Museums & Galleries map.