Egypt comes to Gala!

Old Gala House in Galashiels opened in real Egyptian style recently as guests gathered to celebrate the start of a new, exciting season at the increasingly popular museum.


Guests enjoyed exploring the fantastic historic house and exhibitions currently on show - including an ancient Egyptians Activity Room which has been developed as a schools' education exhibition.

The activity room gives children and adults the chance to journey back in time to the pharaohs and discover the remarkable collection of Ancient Egyptian pots (some more than 3,000 years old) plus other Egyptian items from the Scottish Borders museum collection.

The room was one of the biggest attractions of the opening night, with two stunning belly dancing performances from Hilary Thacker. A local Egyptian national, Mansour Ali, also attended the opening and particularly enjoyed the performances. He said: "It is just like being back home - it's fantastic."

The new season was put together by Phoebe Lowe, Assistant Curator for Selkirk and Galashiels museums and galleries. Phoebe is keen to emphasise that museums and galleries are for people of every age and all walks of life. She said: "Seeing people laughing and enjoying themselves at Old Gala house was fantastic and that is exactly what museums and galleries are all about - enjoying yourself while learning!"

Easter workshops are being held over the holiday period on 9, 10, 16 and 17 April from 11am - 3pm at the cost of £1.00. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

The exhibition school workshops are starting from Monday 20 April.

This exhibition runs until 30 May.

Old Gala House, Scott Crescent, Galashiels has so far attracted extremely high visitor numbers - more than doubling last year's figures.

The museums and galleries guide for 2009 can be downloaded at www.scotborders.gov.uk/museums.


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