The brand new Musselburgh Museum has opened to the public.

An innovative project between East Lothian Council and the Musselburgh Museum and Heritage Group, the facility at 65 High Street will be totally staffed by volunteers and will be open to the public from Thursday to Saturday until the end of October.

The venue was officially opened today on Wednesday by 81-year-old well known local man Jimmy Veitch and Councillor Roger Knox, Depute Provost of East Lothian Council.

The 895 sq ft unit was previously used as a shop but had been lying vacant since December 2008. As a museum, it provides bright, spacious accommodation that is fully accessible for disabled visitors.

Councillor Knox said: “I am delighted to be here today with Jimmy Veitch to open this inspiring facility. Musselburgh’s history has been chronicled for over two thousand years so it is fitting that the town should at last have its own museum. It is an immense tribute to the Musselburgh Museum committee whose members have worked so hard over the last twenty years to bring this project to such a successful fruition. I hope many visitors will take advantage of this new opportunity to find out more about our town’s colourful past.”

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Councillor Ruth Currie, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, said: “This is a superb example of how the Council is working with the voluntary sector for the benefit of our communities. Without the dedication of the volunteers from the Musselburgh Museum and Heritage Group, this would not have been possible. It is a fantastic facility for the town and for visitors to the area.”

Sheila Henderson from the Musselburgh Museum Committee said: "We are delighted to have worked with East Lothian Council to provide a permanent museum for Musselburgh. We are conscious of the support that we have received from the people of Musselburgh over the years and look forward to hearing what they have to say as they come and see our fantastic facility.

"The committee would be delighted to welcome any new members and we are always keen to recruit new volunteers for the museum. Anyone interested should visit www.volunteerscotland.org.uk or leave their names and contact details at the desk in the museum."

Jimmy Veitch said: “I am proud to be from Musselburgh and very proud to be opening the museum today. I hope that everyone who visits will enjoy learning more about the area’s history.”

(GK/KMcA)