Night at the Museum features Inspiring Scots!
To celebrate St Andrews Day, The Hunterian at the University of Glasgow will host a special Night at the Museum event on Friday 27 November from 7.00pm – 10.00pm.
Inspired by The Hunterian collections, this exciting free social evening focuses on ‘Exploration’ and ‘Inspiring Scots’ connected to The Hunterian and the University of Glasgow. The Hunterian is Scotland’s oldest public museum and its collections are rich in items of great Scottish cultural significance.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see The Hunterian’s world class displays at night, set against a backdrop of film and image projections, live Scottish music performances, heritage items not normally on display, refreshments and a pop-up shop.
Themes for the night include ‘Antarctic Exploration’ with a recreation of the famous piper and penguin image from the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition to the frozen continent, ‘Exploring our Past’ which showcases the work of inspiring Scots including political reformer Thomas Muir and pioneering medical missionary David Livingstone, and ‘Exploring Art and Music’ which includes a live music programme, interactive activities and digital trail.
Night at the Museum has received support as part of the Scotland’s Winter Festivals programme of events.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said:
“The Hunterian’s Night at the Museum event, celebrating St Andrew’s Day, is a must-see. From the museum’s Scottish cultural collections, to an Antarctic Exploration and live Scottish music performances, there really is something on the offer for people of all ages.
“Night at the Museum celebrations are part of the Scottish Government's Winter Festivals programme, which has been provided with a record £390,000 of funding to support 21 key cultural events in 15 local authority areas across the country. Events will run across Scotland from the lead up to St Andrew's Day, through Hogmanay, to Burns Night, showcasing Scotland as a modern and creative nation with a rich heritage."
Liz Buchanan, VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Director, said:
“The Hunterian is Scotland’s oldest museum and one of our greatest cultural assets, so it’s a perfect choice for an event that sets the stage for the Year of Innovation, Architecture & Design 2016.
“Glaswegians are surrounded every day by outstanding architecture and design, from the medieval Glasgow Cathedral to Zaha Hadid’s Riverside Museum. Night at The Museum’s theme of ‘Inspiring Scots’ is a timely reminder that we also have a formidable track record for producing world-class innovators ̶ intrepid pioneers in science, politics music and the arts. This looks set to be a very special evening at The Hunterian and the start of a year to remember across Scotland.”
Join us for this spectacular showcase of Exploration and Inspiring Scots, set against the stunning background of The Hunterian collections.
Night at the Museum: Exploration and Inspiring Scots
Friday 27 November 2015
7.00pm - 10.00pm
Hunterian Museum
Admission free - booking required 
Follow us and tweet @AboutScotland @hunterian using #MyStAndrewsDay
Book your place via Eventbrite.
Notes to Editors
Scotland’s Winter Festivals
1. Scotland’s Winter Festivals, which runs from November until the end of January, is a Scottish Government initiative delivered in partnership with VisitScotland and a wide range of other organisations. Through the celebration of our three national days – St Andrews Day, Hogmanay and Burns Night. Scotland’s Winter Festivals aims to boost Scotland's economy and international profile and also enhance community engagement through a programme of funded and partner events.
St Andrew’s Day
1. St Andrew’s Day is Scotland’s national day, designed to celebrate the country’s history, culture and heritage with people both at home and abroad.
2. We welcome people from across the world to help us celebrate the wide range of events taking place in the lead up to St Andrew’s Day – so locals and visitors can embrace our national day across the entire weekend of Fri 28 – Sun 30 November. Hundreds of attractions across Scotland will be opening their doors to offer free or discounted entry to do something to celebrate St Andrew’s Day. To download the Day Out vouchers, visit www.scotland.org/dayout
3. For those looking to celebrate St Andrew’s Day with the family, there is a selection of seasonal recipes showcasing the range of Scotland’s natural larder to celebrate with a St Andrew’s Night In. All recipes are available on www.scotland.org/nightin
4. Wherever you are in the world, you can celebrate St Andrew’s Day – from the United States and Canada to Australia, from Beijing to Bangladesh. Those who want to learn more about the traditional celebrations are encouraged to visit www.scotland.org/standrewsday where there is a whole host of fun and interactive digital resources, including a ‘Saltire Yourself’ app, Scottish Party Guide and a sample St Andrew’s Day menu. There is also a St Andrew’s Day app available to download for smart phones.
The Hunterian
The Hunterian is one of the world's leading University museums and one of Scotland’s greatest cultural assets. Built on Dr William Hunter’s founding bequest, The Hunterian collections include scientific instruments used by James Watt, Joseph Lister and Lord Kelvin; outstanding Roman artefacts from the Antonine Wall; major natural and life sciences holdings; Hunter’s own extensive anatomical teaching collection; one of the world’s greatest numismatic collections and impressive ethnographic objects from Captain Cook’s Pacific voyages.
The Hunterian is also home to one of the most distinguished public art collections in Scotland and features the world’s largest permanent display of the work of James McNeill Whistler, the largest single holding of the work of Scottish artist, architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 – 1928) and The Mackintosh House, the reassembled interiors from his Glasgow home.
For further information or images contact:
Harriet Gaston, Communications Manager, The Hunterian
Email Harriet
First published: 12 November 2015