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Preserving Cultural Collections With National Museums Scotland

National Museums Scotland's mission is 'to preserve, interpret and make accessible for all, the past and present of Scotland, other nations and cultures, and the natural world'

Grand Gallery at the National Museum of Scotland. Copyright National Museums Scotland

National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe, caring for collections covering the past and present of Scotland, other nations and cultures, and the natural world. They work to preserve them, interpreting them and making them accessible for all.

Players of People's Postcode Lottery support a wide variety of activities across the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, National Museum of Flight in East Lothian and National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride.

This includes free family activities like self-guided museum trails themed around the environment and sustainability, drop-in practical activities and Saturday Clubs for children aged 7-10.

Players of the lottery have raised £2,725,000 for National Museums Scotland since 2012 with funds awarded through Postcode Culture Trust.

Dig For Victory

This year, players also supported Dig for Victory at the National Museum of Flight. This included of a series of talks, tours, demonstrations and hands-on family activities exploring how people grew and cooked their food during the Second World War. At the National Museum of Rural Life, they supported Woolly Weekend. This comprised a variety of wool-themed activities including sheep life-drawing classes and the chance to see sheep being sheared.

Special Exhibitions

The National Museum of Scotland hosts a wide range of special exhibitions supported by players. Last year they supported Scotland's Climate Challenge and the Extinction Bell, two displays exploring the impact of climate change and the technological response in Scotland to the climate emergency.

Audubon's Birds of America opened in February, examining the artistry and legacy of one of the world's rarest and most coveted books. Later this year, the Museum is supported by players in mounting Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder, which opens on 9th December.

Player Support

Kirsty MacNeish, Development Manager at National Museums Scotland said, "Support from players of People's Postcode Lottery helps us to deliver fantastic programming for our visitors across our museums, from fun, free events for families to blockbuster exhibitions.

"The support we receive from players is truly invaluable and we're grateful to every one of them for helping us make our collections accessible to as many people as possible."

These programmes include multi-sensory sessions for visually impaired and D/deaf children and young people, monthly Museum Social events for people living with dementia and their carers. Furthermore, they host Relaxed Morning once a month for families and young people with additional support needs, including autism.

Thanks to funding from players National Museums Scotland has been able to bring their collections to life and make them accessible to everyone, ensuring that millions of visitors can enjoy them for many years to come.

Making A Difference

People's Postcode Lottery players are helping deserving causes like National Museums Scotland make a difference every single day. Read more about the range of Charities which our players support.