Work moves at pace on new museum

PREPARATIONS are well advanced for a Lockerbie gratitude and remembrance service at the revived Dryfesdale Church later this month.

And the team at the Pan Am 103 Lockerbie Legacy Foundation, who now own the landmark building, are excited for townsfolk to see how their work is progressing there.

It has had some redecoration and is undergoing a deep clean ahead of the afternoon service on December 21, which will honour the victims of Pan Am 103.

Up to 300 guests are expected at the event, which will feature speakers from Police Scotland and the NHS, as well as Lord Lieutenant Fiona Armstrong and Dr Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms.

There will also be first responders from the time of the disaster and family members of some of those who died.

The foundation's new UK executive director Linny Oliphant is hoping for a good turnout from the local community too.

She has been in the role since September and is gearing up for a busy 2026 as the development of the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum (LMCM) moves forward.

Linny is currently working with insurers and architects to pull together the final vision, with work expected to start in 2026 and take about 18 months.

"It will be a really exciting time, it's a mammoth project but it's such an important building to Lockerbie and this will save it from ruin," she said.

Linny, who was a Sunday school teacher in the former church in her youth, is keen to track down photos of weddings, baptisms and other events held there in the past to create a community exhibition wall.

She said: "LMCM will very much be for the community, also telling the history of the town of Lockerbie and being available for commemorative and celebratory services, e.g. weddings, concerts, cultural events, education and contemplation."

On that note, Linny would welcome, and encourage, anyone with an interest or curiosity to pop into Remembrance House and see their Living Memorial Exhibition. It is open to the public 10-4 seven days a week and has already had over 2000 visitors this year.

Meanwhile, she also shared her thoughts on her new job, saying: “I am profoundly humbled and honoured to step into the role. The opportunity to advance a mission so critical to the global community of people affected by the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie is a true privilege, intertwined with my own history as a Locardian in my final year of school at Lockerbie Academy in 1988. "I am thrilled and extremely proud to lead into the next chapter of growth as one of Lockerbie’s most revered and majestic sites, the former Dryfesdale Church, is saved from further ruin and painstakingly restored.

"It will become a self-sustaining reverential place of pilgrimage for domestic and international visitors to our town. I am focused on building upon The Pan Am 103 Lockerbie Legacy Foundation’s incredible work, extending our reach and deepening our impact. I feel a great sense of pride in taking on this challenge and contributing to a legacy built on integrity and impactful service that triumphs over tragedy and celebrates Lockerbie as the town that taught the world a lesson in humanity.”