Friday August 1st 2025
Midlothian Council's Cabinet Member for Tourism Councillor Colin Cassidy, Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry and Newton, the National Mining Museum's mascot at the entrance to the venue
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
Midlothian Council Leader Kelly Parry and Cabinet Member for Tourism Colin Cassidy enjoyed a warm welcome from Newton, the National Mining Museum of Scotland’s mascot, when they visited on Thursday.
The councillors were in Newtongrange to meet informally with Kerry Godfrey, the museum’s communications and audience development manager, to hear more about the five-star attraction’s short- and longer-term plans to attract more visitors.
Councillor Cassidy said: “While it was encouraging to hear Saturday’s family fun day has already sold around 1,000 tickets, we also wanted to get a sense of how the museum, housed in one of the best-preserved Victorian Collieries in Europe, was planning to safeguard the future of this unique slice of Scotland’s industrial heritage.
“After all, it’s celebrating its 130th birthday and we want it to be around for centuries to come.”
The councillors heard more details of the venue’s aim to raise over £450k for a major transformation project to become a world-class destination for Midlothian.
Plans include extending its ability to host events such as weddings and conferences, creating a collections discovery & skills centre, developing green energy and communal growing projects and restoring its A-listed buildings and iconic winding engine.
Cllr Parry said: “The plans are all very encouraging but with the museum’s acknowledged reliance on grant funding from the Scottish Government, the only way it is ever going to achieve financial sustainability is by getting more people through the door.
“Locally then we all need to do our bit by visiting what is a major attraction right on our doorstep while as a council we continue to help the museum explore more funding streams and other ways to generate income.
“It’s so easy to get here by public transport – buses and trains can take people just about to the door – and, once here the tours by former miners are fascinating.
“In the meantime, don’t forget to come along on Saturday from 11am to 4pm to enjoy everything from pony rides to face painting.”
To buy tickets for the fun day: https://national-mining-museum-scotland.arttickets.org.uk/
For more information: https://nationalminingmuseum.com
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