![]() Many of the items in the museum were donated by its early founders who travelled the world for business and came back with collectable items. "We have a finance committee, a geology committee, a learning group, a policy group, there's lots of different ways that people can be involved depending on what their interest is." Ms Herbert, an archaeologist with Aberdeenshire Council, added: "We're always happy to have more volunteers because you know that's what we need to run, whether it's front of house or helping with some of the collections care in the background. Local support is vital for its future, although very few of the current pool of volunteers actually live in Elgin. It regularly gets visits from local groups, including the likes of the Beavers, Brownies and UHI Moray. Its fossil collection is recognised as a 'Nationally Significant Collection'. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday (1-4pm) until the end of October, and needs a minimum of three volunteers for each session, except a Saturday when two can manage alongside the a paid weekend steward.Ī real surge in overseas visitors has given the museum – which has 36,000 items in its collection – a boost this season. Claire Herbert with a Victorian 'bone-shaker' bicycle, one of the many fascinating exhibits at Elgin Museum. "Without our volunteers we wouldn't be able to open at all so, you know it's testament to them that we're still here," said Ms Herbert. The side hall, which is used for lectures and other special events, will be refurbished to allow for greater community use and No.3 High Street, which the museum owns, will be transformed into a commercial unit on the ground floor, with two flats above, which will provide a regular income stream, making the museum less reliant on external grants. Improved lights and heating, better toilet facilities for visitors and staff, and possibly even solar panels are part of the plan going forward, and the addition of a lift for better access to the upper floor. "It is pretty difficult to heat, pretty difficult to insulate and at the moment we've got water coming in different places so that is a challenge in itself." "We are really looking forward to trying to improve the building and our own sustainability both financially and in terms of thinking about climate change and our transition to net zero. ![]() "We're still here, we're entirely volunteer run, we're Scotland's oldest continuously independent museum so we've never been in ownership of a local authority. "After Covid and with water coming in through the ceiling it's quite amazing that we're still open," she added. The museum is currently trying to keep its head above water, literally, with a leaky roof causing major problems every time there is heavy rain. ![]() "It's an ambitious target," said Ms Herbert of the £2m, "and it may not be achievable but we've got to push ourselves and try and get things moving." The museum – which has just two paid members of staff – is planning a number of fundraising events and grant applications to help maintain the current building, which was purpose-built in 1843, and enhance the facilities for the future. The Victorian Bazaar (12-4pm Saturday and Sunday) will be complete with a fortune teller and side show stalls. "It will be a really big celebration and a chance for everyone to come in, have a bit of fun and get dressed up and mingle with other interested and like-minded people," she said.
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