Well we finally got round to going to the refurbished Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street, Edinburgh. I was looking forward to it. I like the big steps up the front door that open into the Grand Hall, and unlike any other museum (ok, other than A Night At The Museum) it actually has something alive in it - the fish ponds - and they aren't deep so you can actually see the ugly fish. Apart from, obviously, the fish that was too ugly and got a face lift paid for by the coins in the pond. And the crazy clock.
So, what do you get for £47m?
Well the lovely steps are a waste of time as they have locked the doors (presumably opening for corporate functions only, us proles go in the lower entrance).
So you don't go into the Grand Hall. You go into an area with a cafe thats for meals only. Which is great for mobility and access and people who are hungry, but they could have left the front doors open as well couldn't they?
And then it seems the ponds have gone too! I like this quote from The Scotsman: 'The ponds ... get in the way of corporate functions." "We know people will miss the fish ponds, but for children who like animals, there will be a lot of exhibitions of stuffed animals..."
And the clocks moved.
It seems that all the exciting opening shots have all been removed to make way for corporate events and cafes. Which i understand - they have to make a buck one way or another. I guess. Thats the way everyone thinks now anyway. And, to be fair there are big numbers like 16 new galleries, millions of new items. Lots of stuff floating in the air and up walls. And the broken stuff has all gone. And in a few years time no one will notice the missing ponds (they only appeared it seemed in the '70's anyway - and i bet to outrage). So i am probably talking rubbish, having a moan for the sake of it really.
Weren't allowed in the cafe though - maybe i should have looked more corporate.
Note to self: its Edinburgh, i should really provide a picture or two.
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