The Highland Folk Museum was the first open air museum in the UK and 2015 marks their 80th anniversary. Cared for by High Life Highland their collection is a record from the 17th century onwards about the way of life in the Highlands. The everyday nature of items in the collection strikes a chord with visitors to the hugely popular attraction.
Glasgow Women’s Library is the only museum dedicated to women’s history in the UK and has just completed a £1m renovation of its Carnegie building. Their collection contains rare and unique items that explore every aspect of women’s lives from the early 19th Century to today from recipe books and knitting patterns to Suffragette memorabilia and Women’s Liberation objects.
“Women’s stories are told through a collection, exhibitions and public events that champion, celebrate and teach us about how women have shaped lives, families, communities and the country,” said Sue John, Enterprise Development Manager at Glasgow Women’s Library.
Kirkcudbright’s association with the Glasgow art movement started when several artists, including Glasgow Boys and Scottish Colourists, such as Samuel Peploe and Francis Cadell, based themselves in the area. Between 1880 and 1980 over 100 artists painted there and the Kirkcudbright Artist’s Collection cared for by Dumfries and Galloway Council illustrates the lives and works of the collective and roots the town firmly in the history of Scottish Art.
Museums Galleries Scotland manages the Recognition Scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government. The scheme ensures that Scotland’s most important collections are identified, cared for and promoted to wider audiences. The award also opens up access to Recognition funding from Museums Galleries Scotland to improve how people experience the collections. The announcement brings the total of Recognised Collections of National Significance to 46.
“These three new Recognised Collections demonstrate the incredible diversity and uniqueness of what lies inside museums and galleries dotted in towns and cities all across Scotland,” said Ray Macfarlane, Chair of Museums Galleries Scotland’s Recognition Committee. “By gaining Recognised Collection status we hope more people will get the opportunity to explore and learn about these important collections and the fascinating stories they tell.”
