(Image: Robin Mair Photography)
Construction has begun on a new gallery dedicated to Arthur’s Seat at Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth science centre, following a successful fundraising campaign.
The free, permanent exhibition will explore the volcanic origins, scientific importance and environmental future of Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park.
Helen Chomczuk (Dynamic Earth), Caroline Clark (National Lottery Heritage Fund) and Gwilym Gibbons (Dynamic Earth). (Image: Robin Mair Photography)
The project reached its £80,000 public fundraising target, which will be matched by £173,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The new gallery will use immersive film, interactive displays and hands-on experiences to tell the 300-million-year story beneath the iconic Edinburgh landmark.
Dynamic Earth. (Image: Robin Mair Photography)
It will also examine environmental challenges facing the site, including erosion, biodiversity loss, wildfire risk and climate change, with the aim of encouraging greater care for one of Scotland’s best-known natural features.
Since opening in 1999, Dynamic Earth has welcomed six million visitors. The science centre also delivers more than 80,000 science engagements, including work with around 30,000 learners.
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Helen Chomczuk, fundraising and marketing director at Dynamic Earth, said:"Arthur’s Seat is woven into Edinburgh’s identity.
"It is a place of global scientific importance and deep personal meaning for so many people.
"This Gallery will help visitors understand not only how this extraordinary landscape was formed, but why it needs our care now more than ever.
"We are incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for recognising the significance of this project.
"With the community’s support since we launched the appeal in March, we have reached the summit together.
"Seeing the building works officially get underway is a fantastic milestone, and we are immensely appreciative of all the generous donations that have helped make this possible."
Caroline Clark, director for Scotland at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park is an incredible geological landscape to have right at the heart of Edinburgh.
"This project will deliver new opportunities for local communities and visitors to learn more about the geology and heritage and ecology that makes the Park so special."