By Laura McQueen, Visitor Services Assistant
To celebrate the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival and Spring Fling, the National Museum of Costume was packed inside and out with activities for all the family. Dressed as Jean Armour (wife of Robert Burns), Jackie Lee captivated visitors with her display and tales of what people ate back in the time of Robert Burns. Throughout the house visitors were enchanted by the beautiful fiddle music by Laura Grime, who came as part of the Live Music Now network.
One of the highlights of the day, for both children and adults alike, was the Birds of Prey display by Hoots Owls in the marquee. Many of the visitors got the chance to hold some of these magnificent birds and get a picture taken as a memento of their visit. In the workshop children made badges with Chris Waddell and were transformed with fantastic face painting by facilitator Elspeth Durkin; this filled the house and grounds with an assortment of exotic animals.
Beautiful barn owl.
But the day did not end there….
…In the evening the tea room was filled with avid wine tasting guests. Greg Reid, of wine merchants Corney and Barrow, hosted a wine tasting evening which proved very popular. Guests enjoyed tasting various bottles of white, red and sparkling wine. At the end there was an opportunity to place an order for their favourites and I believe the order book was fairly full.
Wine tasting at National Museum of Costume.
Following the wine tasting there was a performance in the marquee of The Gairdener’s Son. This premiere performance, about the life of renowned seafarer and local boy John Paul Jones, was written by former Battlefield Band member Alan Reid. The play consisted of readings and music and from where I was standing outside of the marquee the music sounded great! As they left at the end many people commented that the play was really good – even though it had turned slightly chilly and the midges had also come to watch!
