Museum wins £400k government funding

THE National Mining Museum has been given almost £400,000 backing from the Scottish Government.

New visitor facilities opened at the Newtongrange attraction last year, with the latest windfall to be paid out over the next two years.

Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said it was vital Scotland’s museums and galleries were protected.

She said: “The National Mining Museum Scotland is tremendously important to our nation and tells the story of our industrial past, as well as exploring ways of meeting our energy needs in future.

“Situated in Europe’s best preserved Victorian colliery, the museum houses a nationally recognised collection that includes tens of thousands of historic items – with everything from machinery and equipment to photographs and locomotives. It is vital this collection is preserved for future generations to learn and enjoy.

“That is why, despite reductions elsewhere, I have allocated £370,000 to the museum.”

Rowan Brown, director of the museum, said: “The museum has transformed its visitor offer in 2012, with new facilities for both family and schools audiences – none of which would have been possible without the government’s backing.”