A MAJOR EXHIBITION has been launched this week in Elgin that studies Moray’s forgotten and hidden history.
The Elgin Museum has revealed a programme of events and activities that in part celebrate the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.
With support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, ‘Forgotten, Hidden and Lost: Unearthing Moray’s Archaeology’ will celebrate some of Moray’s lesser known archaeological and historic treasures through a series of hands on activities, training events, exhibitions, talks and walks, culminating in an archaeology conference in November.
A series of events will get under way when the museum reopens for the 2017 season on Saturday April 1, guaranteeing hi-jinks, japes, jests and jokes as it celebrates the history and hilarity of April Fool’s Day.
Open from 11.00am to 4.00pm, entry to the museum is free – with family-friendly craft activities, juggling and circus skills workshops and our new exhibitions, there will be plenty to entertain all ages!
Throughout the year there will be training opportunities for the local community to develop skills in a wide variety of museum and archaeology based activities, including artefact identification, illustration and conservation.
There will even be the opportunity to learn excavation and survey techniques in a trailblazing project led by Lancaster University to locate and record a possible lost hillfort on Cluny Hill, Forres.
Helping to launch the new season was Moray’s MP and MSP – Angus Robertson MP saying: “Moray is an amazing region in terms of historical and archaeological significance. I would commend all of the museum volunteers who provide us with such a service.”
Richard Lochhead MSP added: “When you enter the museum your eyes are opened to the wealth of heritage and history Moray has.”
Running alongside will be a range of family drop in craft sessions, where you can try your hand at throwing a prehistoric pot, making your own Neolithic carved stone ball, designing your own Pictish stone, and more!
There will be a series of talks from specialists and experts, object handling sessions, new exhibitions in the museum, guided walks and outings to historic sites, and an archaeology themed children’s walking trail through the town.
The grand finale will be an archaeology conference, with lectures and site visits, featuring presentations from, amongst others, Dr Fraser Hunter of the National Museum of Scotland, Professor Ian Armit of the University of Bradford, Dr Gordon Noble of the University of Aberdeen and Dr Leif Isaksen of Lancaster University.
Entry to Elgin Museum is free, and most of the activities/events throughout 2017 will also be free (with the exception of evening lectures and the conference in November – details on the Museum website).