National Museum of Rural Life to celebrate the world of wool
Visitors to the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride will be able to explore a world of wool when the attraction hosts its Woolly Weekend event on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May.
Press images are available here.
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and free with Museum admission, the event includes the chance to meet alpacas and rare breed sheep including the photogenic Valais Blacknose.
Sheep farming YouTuber, Cammy Wilson from ‘The Sheep Game’ will demonstrate both mechanical and traditional hand shearing and visitors can also see spinning, weaving and dyeing demonstrations that show how fleece is converted into cloth.
There will be the chance to enjoy storytelling sessions and sheep-themed crafts as well as a Dolly the Sheep trail in the main Museum. Visitors can also learn about Scotland’s rich rural heritage through the fascinating objects showcased in the building’s galleries.
The Museum’s historic working farm is a short walk away on a path surrounded by fields where some of this year’s new-born lambs can be seen. Families can see new calves and rare-breed Tamworth piglets as well as Ayrshire and Highland cattle, hens, a cockerel and the farm’s Clydesdale horses Gina and Anna. They can also explore the Georgian farmhouse and gardens which offer a glimpse into the home life of farmers over 70 years ago.
Vicky McLean, General Manager, National Museum of Rural Life, said; “Our Woolly Weekend offers a great day out for families who can see different wool-producing animals and learn about some of the centuries-old skills that are still relevant today. The event is a fun way for children to learn about the countryside and for visitors of all ages to see beautiful young lambs and other farmyard animals and to discover more about Scotland’s fascinating rural heritage. We’re extremely grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for helping us to run this fantastic, wool-themed weekend.”
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.
Twitter: @NtlMuseumsScot
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland
Instagram: @NationalMuseumsScotland
- Bheireadh Oifis nam Meadhanan eadar-theangachadh Gàidhlig den bhrath-naidheachd seachad do bhuidhinn mheadhanan bharantaichte.
Cuiribh fios do dh'Oifis nam Meadhanan airson bruidhinn air cinn-latha freagarrach.
- National Museums Scotland has received over £4 million in funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded through the Postcode Culture Trust.