The £3.5 million revamp of The Black Watch museum, which has seen hundreds of visitors flock to Perth, was described as an “excellent resource” by a Perthshire politician.
John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, visited Balhousie Castle to see the new facilities on offer, which offer people the opportunity to see the fascinating history of the legendary force.
Opened last month, the museum initially hosted artworks from its large collection of prints, photographs, sketches and watercolours. Throughout the museum, its walls are filled with reminders of its glorious past, including a knapsack that belonged to Major Sir Peter Halkett.
Some newspapers found inside the satchel bag were more than 150 years old. The museum will also have an extended educational outreach programme, along with a series of special exhibitions.
New facilities at Balhousie Castle the regimental home of The Black Watch have resulted in improved access for visitors, including parking, toilets and a lift.
Mr Swinney hailed the revamped Black Watch Museum after he was shown around by Alfie Iannetta, Black Watch Museum Trust chief executive.
“This has been a tremendous refurbishment of the museum, with funding coming from a wide range of sources and combining to very good effect,” Mr Swinney said.
“We have a proud history and association with The Black Watch locally and this museum is an excellent resource in evidencing that fact.
“I would like to congratulate everyone who has contributed financially or otherwise to the refurbishment of this first-class facility.”
And Mr Iannetta said the number of people visiting the museum was “well ahead” of what they expected.
“We’re getting around 100 people a day, which is great,” he told The Courier.
“This is a big difference from our visiting figures from the past, which would see the numbers in 10s or 20s each day.”
He continued: “On Friday, the cafe was full, which was excellent. There are a lot of local people who are using it, to come along and have a coffee.
“Sales at the shop have been good but the most important thing is the museum, with good visitor figures, which is brilliant. In addition, we have 10 new staff here at the museum and they have all fitted in well.”
The Black Watch Heritage Appeal was launched in 2008 and was backed by The Courier.
The appeal succeeded in raising £3.5 million to purchase and develop Balhousie Castle, thus providing a permanent home for the museum and archive of The Black Watch in Perth.
Plans were submitted to Perth and Kinross Council in November 2011 and planning permission was subsequently granted. Work began on the new car park in May 2012 and the extension and internal redevelopment of Balhousie Castle was completed in time for its official opening last month.
The Friends of The Black Watch and Museum were instrumental in promoting the project and they also work to conserve the artefacts and archive material at the building.
The extension to the museum was designed by architect Lachlan Stewart, who was responsible for the gates at Glamis Castle in memory of the Queen Mother.