Museum gains four-star rating from VisitScotland

MUSEUM SUCCESS . . . celebrating their four-star rating yesterday were members of the team at the Devil’s Porridge, Eastriggs. Left to right: Sandra Ross, Ellen Denner, David Heal, John Anstey, Sharon Cosham and Richard Brodie The Devil’s Porridge Museum has been awarded four-star status by VisitScotland and efforts are already underway to gain coveted five-star status. Record numbers of visitors have toured the evolving exhibition since it moved into a purpose-built new facility at Eastriggs. The museum is run by a volunteer group, Eastriggs and Gretna Heritage. Chairman Richard Brodie said: “It is quite a feat for our volunteer group to achieve such a high grade but we have ambitions to achieve top marks. “Indeed our first VisitScotland assessment gave us five stars but the follow-up inspection requires us to make some improvements to attain that prestigious accolade.” The report stated: “The ground floor level featuring the main Devil’s Porridge and Quintinshill Rail Disaster provides an outstanding visitor experience. “The interpretation is innovatively presented and provides a fascinating visitor experience for all ages.” Mr Brodie said that the star-rating mirrored their own visitor feedback and a Certificate of Excellence they had received from Tripadvisor. The VisitScotland inspector praised the volunteers for their warm welcome. The report read: “Excellent standards of service were experienced on my visit. I was greeted as soon as I entered the building, with a smile and cheerful hello. “The introduction provided before entering the exhibition is a great start and sets the scene for the whole story. This standard of service is very much in keeping with five-star expectations.” The Devil’s Porridge Exhibition remains open seven-days-a-week until December 13. Monday to Saturday until 5pm and Sundays to 4pm.