Animal arrivals and family events herald new season at National Museum of Rural Life
The new visitor season at the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride is springing into life with the arrival of new-born lambs, calves and rare-breed piglets. The galleries have been prepared and visitors will have the chance to enjoy special activities and events supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Press images can be downloaded here and general images of the National Museum of Rural life are available here.
These include the attraction’s popular Spring Explorers school holiday sessions which will run from 8-11 April and include storytelling with songs, puppets and dancing, plus sustainable craft activities. Families can also enjoy a host of wool-themed activities during the Museum’s Woolly Weekend on 18 and 19 May. Both events are free with admission.
Activities for younger visitors include the Museum’s Tractor Tots initiative, which introduces children under five to rural life through creative play. Pre-bookable sessions are running in April and May.
Over 200 new lambs are expected at the attraction’s historic working farm in the coming weeks. Several calves have already been born, with more expected, and two litters of Tamworth piglets have also recently arrived and join newcomer Russell, a Scots Dumpy bantam cockerel, at the farm. Visitors can also see Anna and Gina, the Museum’s two magnificent Clydesdale horses, and can enjoy watching the milking of the Ayrshire dairy herd at 3.15pm each afternoon. The historic farmhouse offers a glimpse into the home life of farmers over 70 years ago.
Visitors to the National Museum of Rural Life can also explore the modern Museum building, with galleries displaying objects that tell the fascinating story of Scotland’s rural past. The collections include dozens of agricultural models of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, which showcase 19th century innovation in farming. The building is also home to Scotland’s largest collection of tractors, combine harvesters and other farm machinery.
The National Museum of Rural Life is open seven days a week and tickets are valid for unlimited visits for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Vicky McLean, General Manager, National Museum of Rural Life, said:
“Spring is one of the best times of the year here at the Museum, with the hedgerows bursting into life and our new animal arrivals adding to the wonderful sights and sounds our visitors can enjoy. Our Spring Explorers sessions also offer a great opportunity for families to learn about farming and rural life and we’re extremely grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their support with this and the other engaging family events they are set to fund this year. The National Museum of Rural Life offers a fantastic day out and we’re greatly looking forward to welcoming visitors of all ages this season.”
The National Museum of Rural Life is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm.
Tickets can be booked online at nms.ac.uk/rural-life
Annual Pass – pay once, visit all year
Annual Pass prices
Adult (16+) £10, Over 65’s £9, Concession* £8, Child (5-15) £7, (under 5’s free**)
15% family discount when up to three Child (5-15) tickets alongside up to two Adult, Over 65 or Concession tickets (max 5 tickets total) purchased***
National Museums Scotland members free
National Trust for Scotland members free
Discounts available for groups of 10 or more.
School visits free; some workshop charges apply.
* Concessions: Student, Unemployed, Disabled, Young Scot. Valid ID required.
**Additional charge for some events.
***Cannot be used with member tickets or any other discount or offer.
Notes to editors
- National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe and it looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
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