Revamp on cards

Lower levels could be opened up

Proposals for one of the biggest refurbishments of Perth Museum and Art Gallery are expected to be revealed soon.

The PA has been told by a source that blueprints on the table include a scheme to bolster display space at the George Street building by opening up lower levels.

And the overhaul would seek to bring in additional visitors by the opening of a cafe, with the potential for a new entrance on to Horsecross plaza designed to make the most of the revamped Mill Street layout, part of the cultural quarter which will have Perth Theatre and the concert hall as its main draws.

Culture Perth and Kinross, the body which runs the museum and art gallery, is staying tight-lipped on the proposals, and would only confirm that details of the scheme will be made public soon.

A spokesperson said: “Plans for the future development of Perth Museum and Art Gallery are still at an early stage and all options are being considered. Culture Perth and Kinross hopes to announce more details shortly.”

The iconic museum, also known as the Marshall Monument, opened as a library and museum for the Literary and Antiquarian Society of Perth in 1824.

But in a report prepared for council bosses in the past few years, PKC set out ambitious plans to reinvigorate cultural tourism in the Fair City, with the museum and art gallery expected to play a part in the revival.

Key to that would be displaying the many hundreds of items among the organisation’s collection but have rarely seen the light of day and remain in storage.

Also on the cards are plans to reuse Perth City Hall, potentially for the Stone of Destiny – although, if agreed, it could be housed at the museum – as well as add to archive space at Auld Bond Road in Perth.

The proposals are linked to but understood not to be dependent on Perth’s City of Culture bid for 2021.