As a prelude to the Scottish schools’ summer holidays, Alford’s award-winning visitor attraction, Grampian Transport Museum (GTM), is offering access to the play area at the front of the museum and the Junior Driving School free of charge to families from June 2 until October 31. GTM is open Thursday to Monday 10am-5pm until July 4 when opening hours will change to seven days a week for the summer holidays.
Ross McKirdy, Museum Manager is very excited to be able to offer these facilities thanks to funding from Museums and Galleries Scotland (MGS) Museums Recovery Fund. “GTM thrives on families enjoying all we have to offer, especially in our outdoor play area, having picnics and children taking their first steps in driving and road safety in our Junior Driving School. However, after such a difficult year we know that some families will find the normal cost of such activities hard to find and so when MGS offered us the funding to provide access to the Junior Driving School free of charge we jumped at the opportunity. It is an excellent initiative and we are glad to be working alongside Aberdeenshire Council to give as many families as possible a great day out.”
The Junior Driving School at GTM is unique in the North-east with its realistic road layout complete with road junctions, signs and traffic lights. There are seven electrically powered cars modelled on the real thing and instructors teach youngsters between 4-8 years old the basics of road care and driving. At the end of their 15 minute ‘lesson’ they are awarded their own junior driving licence!
Ross continues, “To ensure as many children as possible can take advantage of the Junior Driving School we ask that you pre-book online and choose a time slot to attend. Booking will open shortly and we will advertise it on our social media and website. Those wishing to use the play area and picnic tables will also have access to the shop and toilet in reception.”
With its extended hours - returning to seven day opening from July 4 - there is lots to do inside the museum too. Booking online is no longer essential but after a very encouraging start to the year Ross is looking forward to a busy summer season. “We have been delighted to welcome so many visitors already this year and the feedback through TripAdvisor and our visitor surveys have been great to read, so thanks to all who have been so kind to us. We are now able to welcome children back onto our ‘climb aboard’ exhibits and to offer our very popular ‘tablet tours’, full of extra information. There are fun quizzes every day and of course delicious refreshments in the very popular ‘Traveller’s Rest’ tearoom. We are very lucky to have two very special vehicles – including the first ever Royal car - on loan from the collection at Sandringham Estate with the kind permission of Her Majesty the Queen in this, her Platinum Jubilee year. Be sure to visit the museum over the Jubilee weekend as we have an exciting programme of activity planned! Our new outdoor link corridor to the new Hydrogen bus exhibit is complete and our Events Programme has started with a bang. The first of these, ‘How Many Left?’ was held on Sunday May 8 followed by our ‘EV Expo’ where we showcase electric vehicles which is coming up on June 19. We are thoroughly looking forward to a season full of visitors of all ages enjoying themselves.”
Also thanks to support from Museums Galleries Scotland, GTM is also able to recruit for an Events and Relationships Manager to build and develop the Events Programme moving forward and deliver a pilot programme of Heritage Skills Workshops.
If you would be interested in finding out more about what is happening at GTM or to apply, please contact Ross McKirdy (Museum Manager) on ross@gtm.org.uk.