Rural arts centre planned at former costume museum

Shambellie House Trust aims to turn Scotland's former National Museum of Costume into a rural arts centre.

The Scottish Government has provided funding to carry out repairs to the building near Dumfries. Covid-19 has prompted the trust to scale back first phase works; however, it hopes art, making and photography courses will begin at the site in January. 

The museum closed in 2013 despite a cross-party campaign to retain it.

Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth praised the trust and wished them "every success" with the new centre.

"The plans provided by the trust are exciting: there is the potential for tremendous benefit to the local and regional communities economically, culturally and educationally,"