Now Open: Scotland

Tarbat Discovery Centre

Heritage venues around Scotland are beginning to reopen after extended closure periods, and travel restrictions having lifted mean that more of us will be getting out and about on research trips!

Here, I’m highlighting just a few places to visit, but do check with the relevant local authority or tourist office to find out what’s happening in your area of interest.  VisitScotland is a good source of information about current openings, as well as the limitations that still apply across the country regarding things like ferry travel or indoor activities.  

In the Highlands, Tarbat Discovery Centre has been able to start receiving visitors again and will do so until the end of October, Wednesday-Saturday each week.  This very atmospheric museum, housed in a former church, is well worth a wee detour from the North Coast 500, or the short drive from Inverness.  They’re also looking for local volunteers to help staff the museum.  

In Lanarkshire, Airdrie Local Studies Discovery Room, housed on the first floor of the public library, will be reopening this Thursday (28^th July) for local and family history research on Thursdays and Fridays 11:00–12:30 and 14:00-15:30. Visit their website for more information and to book an appointment.

For those with Clyde shipbuilding in the family, Fairfield Heritage Museum in Govan is reopening too.  Starting from Tuesday August 3rd, they will once again be welcoming visitors and telling the story of the famous shipyard.  Visits are by free ticket until further notice, every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, with social distancing measures in place.  You can book your ticket via Eventbrite.  

And I've just booked a tour of the Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre in Glasgow city centre, not far from the School of Art.  It's based in the beautiful Garnethill Synagogue, the first purpose-built synagogue in Scotland, and has the most exquisite stained glass.  As well as taking a guided tour of the Centre, you can benefit from the resources of its Archives, including the Scottish Holocaust-era collection.

For the time being, face coverings will be required indoors in public spaces in Scotland, so make sure you have a good supply of them to cover your trip!