>> For details about the 2014 event click here >>
KINNEIL Museum in Bo’ness opening its doors at night on Friday, May 17 – and you’re invited to come along! The event is part of the UK-wide Museums at Night initiative.
Drop in to Kinneil any time between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on May 17 and enjoy entertainment and activities. You’ll have the chance to:
- hear talks on the “Landscape of Kinneil” from historian Geoff Bailey (talks at 6.15 p.m and 7.45 p.m.);
- enjoy music from members of UNISON Kinneil Youth Band (performing at 7 p.m.);
- see a short film about the Antonine Wall (repeated throughout the night);
- pick-up goodie bags (subject to availability);
- go on a “Bat Walk” around the Estate from 8.30 p.m. (please book here) and
- see the displays and attractions in the museum.
The event has been organised by the charity The Friends of Kinneil, with support from Falkirk Community Trust and Falkirk Council. The museum is at the heart of Kinneil Estate, a massive public park on the western edge of Bo’ness.
Maria Ford from the Friends said: “It should be a great evening, offering something for everyone.
“As it’s Year of Natural Scotland, we’re delighted Geoff Bailey from Falkirk Community Trust is giving a talk on the Landscape of Kinneil, repeated during the night.
“We’re also ending the evening with a ‘Bat Walk’ around the Estate. We’re grateful to Lesley Sweeney, Falkirk Council’s outdoor access ranger, for agreeing to lead this walk. We’ll go out into the estate looking for pipistrelles or brown long-eared bats.
“The museum event is free to attend – just turn up – although we are asking for people to book online to attend the Bat Walk itself. This is limited to 40 places.
“Please also note that children under 16 must be accompanied on the walk – and all walkers should wear appropriate footwear and clothing. In the event of very wet weather, the Bat Walk may be cancelled.”
The Estate is packed with history, including the impressive mansion Kinneil House, the ruins of a medieval church and the workshop once used by inventor James Watt.
“Kinneil Estate also features part of the Roman Antonine Wall,” said Maria. “We’ll be reflecting on the Roman links with a re-showing of a short version of the new film ‘The Mark of Rome’, throughout the night. There will also be Roman dress-up clothes for children to try in the museum.”
The Friends will also be giving out free goodie bags, packed with local information, sweets and treats and local postcards. It’s first-come, first served – with giveaways for adults and children. A big thank-you to Tesco, Lidl, Scottish Fine Soaps and Falkirk Council for helping to provide additional treats for visitors.
NIGHT AT KINNEIL MUSEUM 2013: PROGRAMME
6 p.m. Kinneil Museum opens for Museums at Night. You can drop in any time between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. There’s no need to book, just turn up. Throughout the night: We’ll be showing a short version of “The Mark of Rome” – a new film about the Antonine Wall.
6.15 p.m. Historian Geoff Bailey will give a free talk on the Landscape of Kinneil.
7.00 p.m. Performance by UNISON Kinneil Youth Band
7.45 p.m. Another chance to hear Geoff’s talk on the Landscape of Kinneil
There will also be dress-up clothes for children and interactive displays to try. We’ll also have FREE goodie bags for visitors (subject to availability).
8.30 p.m. Bat Walk. Will leave from outside Kinneil Museum at 8.30 p.m. prompt. Please book here to register a place. Some spaces may also be available on the night (although the number of participants on the walk will be limited to 40).
As dusk descends on Kinneil Estate, we’ll go in search of bats. Hopefully – with some hi-tech help – we’ll find some pipistrelles or perhaps Brown Long-Eared Bats!
Participants in the walk should:
- bring warm clothing;
- take a torch;
- wear stout footwear; and
- bring along a warm drink (if you wish).
Anyone under 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult. Sadly dogs can’t come on the bat walk. We don’t want to scare the little creatures away. Please note that if there’s heavy rain – the bat walk won’t take place.
Timings are approximate. As we said, the museum is free to visit. Just turn up on the night – although please BOOK if you want to go on the bat walk.
Museums at Night is the annual after-hours festival of arts, culture and heritage when hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites open their doors for special evening events. It takes place over the weekend of Thursday 16 – Saturday 18 May 2013. www.museumsatnight.org.uk
The event is also supporting LOCAL HISTORY WEEK, organised by Falkirk Community Trust.
Kinneil 