People across Courier Country are being invited to take part in cultural experiences during this year’s Festival of Museums, which has been launched.
The festival will see more than 90 events, workshops, exhibitions and performances take place in museums across the country over the weekend of May 16 to 18.
Created and coordinated by Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS), events in Dundee will let visitors step back to the Victorian era as The McManus Art Gallery and Museum comes to life at night with collections of Victorian photography, film, music, toys and games and refreshments to enjoy.
Visitors to the University of Dundee’s D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum can use zoology specimens to inspire creative costume designs and colourful masks which will be showcased on the catwalk.
There will be workshops on the mysteries of DNA at Dundee Science Centre, too.
And visitors to Perth can be transported back to the First World War era at Balhousie Castle’s Gala Day and see the extraordinary story of the Black Watch come alive.
Meanwhile at the Scottish Crannog Centre by Kenmore, visitors can become an experimental archaeologist for the day.
Joanne Orr, chief executive of MGS, said: “Scotland is a creative and cultural hub and a country steeped in so much history that we can often forget the stories, artefacts and exhibits that sit right on our doorstep.
“The range of events means there really is something for everyone, whether you’re a couple looking for a day out with a difference or a family looking to entertain the kids.”
Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop attended the launch event in Edinburgh, which saw Mary Queen of Scots and William Wallace look-a-likes taught swing dancing in the iconic former Excelsior Ballroom.
She said: “With such a wide range of activities and events taking place across Scotland, I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to visit their local museums as part of the Festival of Museums 2014.”
More information is available online at festivalofmuseums.com.