New chapter for museum

ANNAN’S Riding of the Marches and washed away footbridges both feature in new displays in the town’s museum. Following extensive renovation works, which meant the Bank Street building was closed for the whole of 2025, Annan Museum finally reopened to visitors last Wednesday. Extensive work had been ongoing behind the scenes to create new eye-catching displays, thanks to funding from Museums Galleries Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Council. The ground floor focuses on Annan and the town’s significance as a Royal Burgh. Displays include Annan Riding of the Marches, in which a spectacular wooden horse and Cornet form the centrepiece. The Cuthbertson Memorial and Jubilee footbridges are shown on video before, during and after the flood, while one of the supporting columns from the Jubilee Bridge has been brought inside the museum. Curator Judith Hewitt said: “The museum was closed last year for major capital works. It was essential repairs, we got a new lift as well. “As part of that I requested we get some works done inside. We had to take thousands of objects out of the three floors. “We have lots more room to grow into the future now.” Judith added: “The hardest thing was getting the Jubilee Bridge in!” The supporting column was carefully brought inside by Gibson’s of Collin. It sits against the side wall, a lasting legacy from the footbridges. Other items include paintings of Annan Town Hall, maquettes of the Robert the Bruce statue, architectural drawings of old buildings and the chain worn by the Provost of Annan. There is also a kids corner, with a dressing up area, colouring sheets and activities. Judith said: “This building was originally a Carnegie Library, he (Andrew Carnegie) donated £3000 for a library in Annan. “It stayed as a a library until the 1940s and became a museum in the 1950s. “People from Annan are quite passionate about their history and the museum. “We do get a lot of regular visitors and people who have been invested for a long time. “We also get a lot of people who visit because of their genealogy. “I think it’s a small museum in size, but we have fantastic objects, big ambitions and great displays. “Hopefully people will be impressed that we managed to get a part of the bridge into the building and the horse!” The first floor – when it opens in April 2027 – will be all about Annandale and Eskdale. Work here is well underway. In the meantime Judith and the team cannot wait to welcome you. Annan Museum is open Monday to Saturday, from 11 am to 4 pm. Entry is free.