On Monday I spoke at an event in Inverness about museums working with schools. The event was for museums and visitor centres from across the Highlands and Moray areas. I was speaking about our classroom museum programme we deliver with schools. It was a really interesting day and I got to speak to people from lots of different museums, archives, visitor attractions and centres from across the whole area. I’m now intrigued to visit places like the Scottish Dolphin Centre, Highland Museum of Childhood and Knockando Woolmill!
It was interesting to hear that many of those attending struggle with some of the same issues as we do – how to get schools to visit them, how to find out which topics schools are focussing on, what is the best way to get children to interact with objects and the places they visit. There were also lots of positive thoughts as well – stories of venues who had changed what they offer and how this had impacted on their school visits. I was also really impressed with the booklet the Highland Museums Forum had put together which included details of what all museums across the area provided for schools, from visits to loan boxes.
We also got a chance to look round Culloden, which tells the story of the battle in 1746. The Visitor Centre includes the story of the build up to Culloden so it was interesting to read about our local Jacobite link – the Battle of Prestonpans. There was also a fantastic film which put you right in the centre of the battle with sound and film all around you – I was in there myself and it was quite scary! I didn’t get a chance to walk the battlefield – it was a bit too windy and there was so much else to do on the day. I would definitely recommend a visit (and I might make it back there too pretty soon myself!).