WHAT’S THE STORY?
LESS than 18 months after it was established, the Military Museum Scotland is entering a new phase with an extraordinary project that is seeing veterans of the armed forces taking part in a project that is allowing them – some of them for the first time – to talk about their experiences with men and women who also served.
The museum is also starting an outreach project to take its remarkable material across the country.
WHAT IS THE MUSEUM?
THE Military Museum Scotland (MMS) is a unique institution dedicated to telling the story of those who have served in the armed forces from World War One to the present day.
In the words of its founder and now chairman of the board Ian Inglis: “Military Museum Scotland is an exciting, new and unique museum experience.
“A registered charity in Scotland, we offer a unique experience to everyone, specialising in schools, care homes, military veterans and youth groups, as well as making the collections available to members of the public.”
WHAT MAKES THE MUSEUM UNIQUE?
NORMALLY, when you think of a museum, you may think of artefacts on display behind glass. You may think museums are boring places for old people. Not so at Military Museum Scotland.
Inglis explained: “We do have some things behind glass, but 95% of items are out on display and are there for handling under supervision.
“We operate a unique and fun educational programme for primary schools, as well as relaxing reminiscence sessions for care homes.
“All this, and a fantastic museum for the general public to enjoy.”
WHERE IS IT?
THE museum is in Wilkieston, West Lothian, and is open to the public six days a week from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
Mondays are for school or private bookings only. It may also be booked for private bookings outwith these times.
The museum has indoor and outdoor displays, it has a cafe and a gift shop, and it is wheelchair accessible. It also has facilities for less able visitors
HAVEN’T WE ENOUGH WAR MUSEUMS?
NONE like this, because MMS truly is unique in what it offers – particularly the stories of the individuals who served in the forces.
MMS operates a veterans drop in centre every Wednesday, and is planning a breakfast club on the last Sunday of the month.
It is one of the most important activities at the museum as it involves those who served, as Inglis explained: “For veterans we offer a ‘safe haven’ for them to pop in for a cup of tea and a chat with fellow veterans, in familiar surroundings. It’s a chance to relive their military memories by handling the kit they were trained to use
“Sitting and listening to some of their stories that they’re coming out with – I think that’s invaluable.
“A lot of them don’t talk about what happened to them but when they’re here in this environment, the stories just flow.”
Alex Galloway, the centre’s employability project manager, said: “Reminiscing is good. People sharing memories, people comparing memories, people strengthening the feeling that whether serving has been overall good for them or not so good... that they do have something in common with other human beings.”
WHAT’S THE MUSEUM’S LATEST PROJECT?
INGLIS added: “We now want to make this fantastic unique experience available to many more people throughout Scotland, by setting up an outreach programme.
“We want to be able to visit schools, care homes, veterans centres and public events. We have the artefacts to do this, but we need lots of other items.
“First and foremost, we need a large van to transport the outreach museum to venues. We also need tables and display boards amongst other things.”
Inglis is not afraid to ask for public help and offers something in return: “To keep this fantastic place open, and to set up our outreach service, so that as many people in Scotland can experience Military Museum Scotland, but we need help. Being a registered charity, if you donate to Military Museum Scotland, not only will you directly help Military Museum Scotland stay open and help establish our outreach service, your donation will also be tax deductible.
“Every organisation that donates to Military Museum Scotland , will get full recognition via our website, social media, a special display within the museum, and a prominent position on our vehicle.
“They will also be mentioned in local and national newspapers and TV. “
Surely it’s well worth a corporate sponsor or two taking a look at what MMS does. It is, after all, not your normal museum.
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