Scottish town to honour AC/DC frontman Bon Scott with rock & new roll museum

Plans to bring a rock and roll museum to Kirriemuir's High Street have taken another step closer to reality after its planning application was submitted to Angus Council.

The statue to Bon Scott in Kirriemuir

Community music charity DD8 Music is behind the plans for the Kirriemuir Rock Museum, which will see AC/DC frontman and town hero, Bon Scott, honoured alongside other giants of the rock world.

The proposed Bank Street attraction could have three separate exhibition rooms, a classroom/workshop for outreach activities and a small gift shop, replacing the former Currie & Co Accountants office.

In a statement issued announcing the plans last year, DD8 said the facility would recognise all forms of music.

"The Kirriemuir Rock Museum will celebrate the musical heritage of Kirriemuir, covering everything from traditional Scottish music to the rock and roll of AC/DC," it said.

"DD8 Music believes that this is an exciting opportunity for Kirriemuir and we have big plans for this latest project to be a success."

The charity is applying to both fit out the building and change its use. The organisation secured £77,000 of funding from a £1 million round of community funding issued by Angus Council in 2019.

Under current planning rules the unit is designated as a retail site - something the museum does not fit into.

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The charity is justifying the change in use by pointing to a lack of interest in taking over the unit from commercial tenants. Estate agents Shepherd's reported receiving 10 enquiries in 18 months, indicating "limited interest".

A decision on the museum is expected by early April.

Along with planning the museum, DD8 runs the town's annual Bonfest music festival and campaigned to have a statue of the singer erected in the town - which ultimately came to pass in 2016.

Scott was born in Forfar but spent his early years in Kirrie before his family emigrated to Australia. He died in February 1980, and was replaced as AC/DC frontman by Brian Johnson.

Day to day, DD8 runs holds free weekly music sessions for young people, educating them on learning instruments, songwriting, music production and promotion. It has moved online to continue classes during the coronavirus pandemic.

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