Funding boost for Roman museum

A Roman history museum that is being refurbished and expanded has been given a £395,000 funding boost.

It is hoped the investment in the Trimontium Museum in Melrose will lead to an increase in tourism in the Borders town.

The Trimontium Trust was awarded a £394,902 grant from the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SOSEP) to help towards a refurbishment project with a total cost of more than £1.25 million.

The funding will be used to develop a learning programme that will enable visitors to contribute to archaeological research.

Dr John Reid, chairman of the Trimontium Trust, said: “The trust is grateful to SOSEP and Scottish Government and our other partners for supporting our vision to develop this to a scale and quality which compliments the other excellent attractions in Melrose and the wider Borders.”

He continued: “The Trimontium Trust has been proud to share its story for over 25 years from our small museum in Melrose, overlooked by the ancient hill fort on Eildon Hill.”

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “This funding will allow the Trimontium Trust to expand on the great work it is already doing to promote the rich Roman and Iron Age history of the Scottish Borders.

“The refurbishment of the museum will allow the trust to display more artefacts from the local area and improve the visitor experience.

“Our tourism industry plays a vital part in the Scottish economy.

“People choose to visit Scotland for our culture, heritage and scenery.

“This SOSEP funding in the South of Scotland will help support and maximise the economic potential of that region.”