Date set for museum's reopening

THE National Museum of Scotland is to reopen in July this year, it has been confirmed.

The opening date for the redeveloped museum will be July 29.

The 46.4 million redevelopment has included creating a new street-level entrance hall, two new restaurants, new shops and other public facilities.

There will also be new glass lifts, escalators and staircases, which will make moving around the building far easier for visitors. The original Victorian interior of the building has also been comprehensively restored.

A three-storey learning centre has been created to enable a major expansion of programmes for schools and the public, while a larger special exhibitions gallery will enable a programme of major international touring exhibitions to come to Scotland.

Sir Angus Grossart, chairman of National Museums Scotland said: "After three years of major building work we will open on July 29, on time and within budget. In that period all of our collections and stores have been reviewed. We have found wonderful opportunities for new displays. 80 per cent of the content of our displays will not previously have been seen.

"It has been an exciting challenge."