The Museum of the Isles at Armadale Castle has been awarded over £36,000 from Museums Galleries Scotland’s Recovery and Resilience Fund.
The funding will enable the museum to create a new covered outdoor learning space for school groups, families and other community outreach programmes. The plan is to equip the old laundry ruin, adjacent to the museum building, with a semi-permanent roof covering and raised floor. The new space will provide a Covid-safe outdoor environment where groups can take part in activities whilst sheltering from the elements.
The award will also support improvements to the museum’s building fabric and digital offer. This will include the design of energy efficiency measures and environmental controls within the museum, and the development of new website capabilities including an online shop.
Meghann Logue, Curator at the Museum of the Isles, said: “We are extremely pleased to receive this funding from Museum Galleries Scotland, which will help us continue to educate and inspire visitors in 2021 and beyond. Our local community is at the heart of what we do at the museum, and we know that our activities programme was very much missed last year. This funding will help us develop a fantastic new facility for all while also helping us care for our valuable museum collections.”
Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland said: “We are delighted to support the Museum of the Isles through the Recovery and Resilience Fund. They have a strong relationship with the local community and this grant will enable the museum to continue to welcome them through activities and events in their new covered outdoor space. Alongside navigating the challenges of the pandemic and supporting their local community, the Museum of the Isles is working to increase their resilience by improving the environmental efficiency of the museum. We are incredibly pleased to support their forward thinking, which will contribute to lower running costs and climate impact in years to come.”
The Scottish Government launched the Recovery and Resilience Fund as a response to the uncertain future faced by many independent museums due to Covid-19. The fund is designed to secure museums’ future while protecting the vital role that they play in their communities. Museums Galleries Scotland is the National Development Body for museums and galleries in Scotland and offers strategic development support to the sector.
The Museum of the Isles at Armadale Castle is Skye’s only Museum Galleries Scotland Accredited Museum. Its five permanent exhibition galleries tell the story of the Highlands & Islands through the eyes of Clan Donald. The museum’s collection includes weapons and militaria, decorative arts, costume and textiles and fine art and it also hosts a programme of changing exhibitions.
Subject to Covid-19 restrictions the museum plans to launch the new learning space in May 2021; check Armadale Castle’s website and social media for updates.