Highland Museum is finalist for national award

The Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore is one of 6 museums in Great Britain chosen by the public to reach the final stages of the Guardian Family Friendly Museum Award 2010.

Highland Folk Museum, run by The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service is the only Scottish museum listed in the finalists which include: Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, York; Great North Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne, Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry; The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent; and St Nicholas Priory, Exeter.

The Guardian Family Friendly Museum Award is run in conjunction with the Kids in Museums charity.  Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund chaired a panel judges who chose the six finalists from over 200 museum nominated by visitors.

The public will choose the final winner from the shortlisted six. Undercover families will anonymously visit the shortlisted museums and the winner will be announced in April.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “Congratulations to our staff at the Highland Folk Museum for the recognition that they deserve. Being the only Scottish museum shortlisted in a national award which is nominated by visitors is a tremendous achievement as it is our customers’ opinions at the end of the day that truly counts.”

Kids in Museums are now looking for families “of all shapes and sizes” to help them decide on the winning museum from the shortlist. Families will make anonymous visits to the museums and measure them against the Kids in Museums Manifesto. Families wishing to be considered for the judging panel can email award@kidsinmuseums.org.uk.

Further information about the Family Friendly Museum Award 2010 can be found at  www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk  and www.guardian.co.uk/kidsinmuseums