Working animals take centre stage at National Museum of Rural Life
The National Museum of Rural Life at Kittochside, East Kilbride is set to celebrate the skills, intelligence and important roles of working animals next Saturday 12 September at a fun-filled Working Animal Day.
Sheepdog trainer, Glen Welsh will showcase the close partnership between shepherd and dog in a display of canine skills and will demonstrate how young sheepdogs learn the tricks of the trade. There will be performances of precision and panache from the Les Amis d’Onno dog stunt team, with the team’s trainers also teaching spectators about training and its benefits for dog mental health and positive dog-owner relationships.
Families can hear fascinating stories of working horses through time and will be able to see horses dressed for logging, farming and other roles. The event also features ferrets and birds of prey, storytelling sessions, craft activities, dressing-up and a trail celebrating various kinds of working animals.
Visitors can learn about Scotland’s rich rural heritage through the fascinating objects showcased in Museum galleries and can visit the attraction’s historic working farm a short walk away. The farm is home to Clydesdale horses, Highland cattle, Tamworth pigs, sheep and hens and has an Ayrshire dairy herd that is milked in the dairy each afternoon. The Georgian farmhouse offers a glimpse into the home life of farmers over 70 years ago.
Vicky McLean, General Manager at the National Museum of Rural Life said:
“Working animals have long played an essential role in our lives and this event is a wonderful chance for families to learn about the remarkable intelligence, skills and companionship they have provided, and continue to provide today. We’re extremely grateful to players of Postcode Lottery for supporting the event and hope that families and animal lovers of all ages will join us for a fun and memorable day out.”
Working Animal Day at the National Museum of Rural Life runs from 10.30am-4pm and is supported by Postcode Lottery players. Entry is free with Museum admission.
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
Notes to editors
1.About the National Museum of Rural Life
National Museum of Rural Live
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
A museum, historic farmhouse and working farm, the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride explores the land, people and ways of working that have shaped Scotland's rural history. On display in the museum is Scotland's largest collection of tractors, combine harvesters and farming machinery, while the farm is home to Ayrshire, Aberdeen Angus and Highland cattle, Tamworth pigs, sheep, hens and Clydesdale horses. Lanarkshire's Reid family lived in the Georgian farmhouse for ten generations, and rooms are as they would have been in the 1950s.
Annual Pass – pay once, visit all year
Annual Pass prices: Adult (16+) £12.50, Over 65s £11.50, Concession* £10.50, Child (5-15) £9.50, (under 5’s free**).
15% family discount when up to three Child (5-15) tickets alongside up to two Adult or Concession tickets (max 5 tickets total) purchased***
National Museums 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
- About National Museums Scotland
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
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Cuiribh fios do dh'Oifis nam Meadhanan airson bruidhinn air cinn-latha freagarrach.