Glasgow’s museums and galleries throw open their doors and welcome visitors back

Like many visitor attractions across the country, museums and galleries have been waiting patiently for restrictions to be eased so they can safely reopen and allow visitors to explore these inspiring spaces once again.

The reopening of many museums and galleries is great news for the thousands of visitors that have missed spending time in Scotland’s world class cultural attractions. Not to mention the dedicated staff members and volunteers responsible for taking care of the collections and bringing their stories alive, who can’t wait to get back to welcoming visitors once more.

To help intrepid explorers of all ages discover new and exciting places to visit, Museums Galleries Scotland has launched an interactive map as part of its #MuseumsAreGo campaign showing which venues are open.

Lucy Casot, CEO, Museums Galleries Scotland added: “As we emerge from lockdown many of us will be planning a return visit to our favourite museum or gallery. With so many of our museums and galleries across Scotland now able to open, there’s so much to choose from, many with wonderful outdoor spaces to enjoy with the whole family.

“It’s not just a fun day out, museums and galleries have a positive impact on our social wellbeing as well as the local economy so we are urging everyone to make a point of visiting their favourite museum or gallery. Additionally, with many of us staycationing this year, it is a wonderful opportunity to discover more of Scotland’s inspiring museums and galleries.”

Alastair Dinsmor, Curator at the Glasgow Police Museum said: “We were delighted to re-open our award-winning Glasgow Police Museum on July 20, following a Covid-19 risk assessment necessitating the installation of signage, hand sanitisers and a contactless card machine. Our new procedures have been embraced by our friendly staff and have not inhibited their personal approach and customary warm welcome to our visitors from home and abroad.”

The new interactive map shows which venues are open and can be accessed online here.

This is updated on a daily basis as museums reopen. Before you go, check the museums websites for opening times and safety measures.

– Glasgow Police Museum honours Britain’s first police force with artefacts from the early days, first police bravery awards and first world war Victoria cross. Fun for all the family. Winners of Glasgow Award 2019 for ‘Best Day Out’. Find out more here

– Glasgow Women’s Library will reopen on September 1 in a phased return. It is the only Accredited Museum in the UK dedicated to women’s lives, histories and achievements. There will be access to the lending library collection via a pre-reserve, click and collect system, while access to the archive and museum collections may still not be possible during this first phase. A new exhibition, Collecting in the Time of Coronavirus, will showcase some of GWL’s new ‘lockdown’ acquisitions, from handmade face masks, feminist perfumes and roller derby t-shirts, to items supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Discover how the generosity of museum donors during this strange time has helped GWL to develop its collections and document the diverse lives of women across Scotland and beyond. Events will continue to be offered online throughout the Summer, including Story Cafes, creative writing workshops and reading groups. An exciting and varied Autumn programme of online events is also due to be launched in September. Click here for more information.

– Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is now ready to open its doors and welcome visitors back. A firm favourite with locals and visitors, you can discover everything from art to animals, Ancient Egypt to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and so much more. Most of the permanent galleries and rooms will be open, except for a limited number of smaller galleries and hands-on displays, such as the Mini-museum, the Environmental Discovery Centre and the Rainforest Object Cinema. Visit Glasgow Life for more information

– Hunterian Museum staff, at the University of Glasgow, have been busy behind the scenes, getting ready to welcome visitors back with a phased reopening today (August 18). Entrance to museum is free but online timed bookings have been introduced. The Hunterian Art Gallery and the Mackintosh House remain closed for now. More details can be found here