Three of Scotland's most popular attractions will reopen next month
Reopening dates have been confirmed for some of Scotland’s most popular attractions.
After an unprecedented five months’ closure, National Museums Scotland will soon be reopening its doors and welcoming visitors back to its four museums.
The National Museum of Flight will reopen on Wednesday (5 August), the National Museum of Rural Life will follow on 12 August and then the National Museum of Scotland will reopen its doors on 19 August.
The reopening of the National War Museum, which is located inside Edinburgh Castle, will be announced at a later date in collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland and the opening of the other internal spaces at the castle.
In line with Scottish Government guidelines, a range of measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of visitors and staff. This includes pre-booked timed entry, enhanced cleaning, sneeze screens, hand-sanitising stations and one-way routes.
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."
One of the most notable changes is that all visitors, including members, will have to book a timed entry slot online before visiting. This allows visitor numbers to be managed so that physical distancing can be maintained within the museums. Museum shops and cafés will also be open, for cashless payments only.
All museums will operate their normal opening hours except for the National Museum of Scotland which will open from 10.30am to 4.30pm. 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.
Online booking for the National Museum of Flight opens on Friday (31 July). 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. 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. 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 the NMS website.
