Major milestone for Perth Museum

(Press release Perth and Kinross Council:) Perth, 11 August 2023 - A major milestone in the development of Perth Museum took place this week as Culture Perth and Kinross were handed the keys to the building by the Council.

Culture Perth and Kinross, which is an independent charity, will run the Museum with the Council as core funder.

A £27 million investment in the regeneration of Perth city centre, with £17 million from the Council and £10 million from the UK government through the Tay Cities Region Deal, and opening in 2024, Perth Museum will be the new home of the Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone.

Used for centuries to crown Scottish Kings and still used for Coronations, most recently for the Coronation of King Charles III in May, the Stone of Destiny will be free for everyone to visit.

As well as being the new home of the Stone of Destiny, Perth Museum will explore the part the city and wider area has played in shaping Scotland's ancient roots and the creation of modern Scotland.

Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing said: ‘Construction on the new museum began in 2021 and, like everyone, I have been watching its transformation keenly. This is a huge moment. Perth Museum is at the heart of our regeneration vision for our area and will be a world-class cultural attraction that will attract tourists from across the globe. We've seen how busy Perth has been over the past week and Perth Museum and the Stone of Destiny will bring tens of thousands of visitors to Perth and Kinross every year.’

Helen Smout, Chief Executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, said: ‘To have reached this stage of the project is a significant milestone and the work of so many different people who worked incredibly hard to reach it is to be celebrated. This project has always been a collaboration, with key partners working together to ensure the project stayed on track and that the ambitious vision is fully realised. Everyone at Culture Perth and Kinross is delighted to take forward the next phase of development, bringing in the thousands of objects which will be on display and making sure the new Museum is something everyone in the region can take great pride in when it opens.’

UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said: ‘This is an exciting moment for the new Perth Museum, which promises to be a jewel in the crown of Scotland's must-see attractions. I very much look forward to celebrating the opening of the museum and installation of the Stone of Scone in its new home when the museum opens to the public next year.’

BAM Construction Director, Paul Carle, said: ‘We are proud to have redeveloped Perth City Hall for Perth and Kinross Council and Hub East Central, which has rejuvenated a historic landmark and will provide space for the city's collection of national artifacts, including the Stone of Destiny and we hope that the local community will be as proud of the building as we are. The project's successful delivery is a result of the fantastic collaboration between all parties working on the scheme, and their passion to deliver a unique new visitor attraction.’

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