Shear Delight as Woolly Weekend returns to National Museum of Rural Life
The National Museum of Rural Life is inviting visitors to flock to the East Kilbride attraction next Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May for its popular Woolly Weekend event.
Families and visitors of all ages can enjoy a packed programme of activities that shines a spotlight on countryside life and rural traditions. Highlights include weaving and spinning demonstrations and the chance to meet alpacas and rare breed sheep.
The event, which is free with Museum admission thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, also features YouTube star and BBC Landward presenter Cammy Wilson demonstrating both traditional and modern sheep shearing techniques.
Families can enjoy storytelling and sheep-themed crafts and follow a Dolly the Sheep trail through the Museum. Inside the galleries, they can explore Scotland’s agricultural past through fascinating objects that tell the story of rural life and speak to local crafters who will be demonstrating how they work with wool.
Over 200 lambs have already been born this spring at the Museum’s historic working farm, a short walk away. There, visitors can also see new calves, rare-breed Tamworth piglets, Ayrshire and Highland cattle, hens and the farm’s much-loved Clydesdale horses Gina and Anna. The Georgian farmhouse and gardens can also be explored and offer a glimpse into the home life of farmers over 70 years ago.
Vicky McLean, General Manager, National Museum of Rural Life, said:
“Woolly Weekend is one of our most popular events and is a fantastic way to connect people with the skills, traditions and animal breeds that are such an important part of Scotland’s rural heritage. From watching Cammy Wilson in action to seeing new-born lambs or learning how wool is transformed from fleece into fabric, it’s a weekend packed with discovery and delight for the whole family.”
Woolly Weekend at the National Museum of Rural Life runs from 10:30-15:30 on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May. The Gourmet Street Food van will be in the picnic field on both days and the Thorntonhall ice cream van will also offer delicious treats for visitors to enjoy.
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+) £12, Over 65’s £11, Concession* £10, Child (5-15) £9, (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
Accompanying essential carers 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.
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.