Scotland opens its doors to culture vultures
27th May 2011
Brace yourself for a cultural revolution as Scotland is set to reopen the doors of many of its beloved galleries and museums later this year
Following major redevelopment, four of Scotland's finest museums and galleries are set to reopen in the coming months. The country will also welcome two new additions: a music, cinema and creative industries centre and the Riverside Museum.
Highly celebrated architect Zaha Hadid designed the landmark Riverside Museum, which sits on the banks of the River Clyde. Set to become the new home of the Museum of Transport, the permanent exhibition will open on 21 June.
Better known to locals as Mareel, the music, cinema and creative industries centre will open this winter; found on Shetland this is the most northerly exhibition of its kind. With two cinema screens, a live performance auditorium and a recording studio, this centre will provide an alternative, creative experience for visitors.
The Stirling Castle Palace has been restored to its former glory and decorated in a style showing how it may have looked in the mid-16th century. The castle is set to reopen on 4 June.
At Edinburgh's National Museum of Scotland, visitors will benefit by having more access to a larger collection of exhibits after £46 million was dedicated to the redesign. An improved layout will also aid the viewer's overall experience. The museum will reopen on 29 July.
In September, Scotland’s oldest public museum will reopen with a new, permanent gallery illustrating Scottish life a whopping 2,000 years ago. A unique collection of monumental sculpture and other Roman artefacts recovered from the Antonine Wall will be on display for the first time.
Last, but by no means least, the eagerly anticipated re-opening of The Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh will take place on St Andrews Day, 30 November. The gallery has undergone a massive overhaul, revamping the interior and its artworks for the first time in 20 years.
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