As Easter approaches, the news has been welcomed that Kinneil Museum will remain open during ongoing talks about its future.
At a meeting of Falkirk Council on 26 March, Councillors decided unanimously to keep the museum and its facilities open for a further two months to allow discussions about it between the Council and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to continue.
The Council had been due to close the museum at the end of March despite strong local opposition to the move, but Bo’ness Councillor Ann Ritchie (Independent) tabled a motion prior to the meeting to keep it open for up to six months whilst the apparently positive negotiations with HES go on. The Council’s administration then tabled an amended motion to keep the imminent closure date in place, whilst calling for the swiftest possible resolution to the talks.
Councillors first heard a deputation from the Friends of Kinneil who gave a detailed statement in support of Councillor Ritchie’s motion, and then took questions.
After considerable discussion, a compromise position, of a two-month reprieve until the end of May, was unanimously agreed. The text which was eventually adopted is copied in the notes at the bottom of this page.
The museum is usually open daily except Tuesdays, free, 12.30-4pm. For interim opening arrangements from now until the end of May, please check the Council’s official web page for the museum, which also states that “Falkirk Council and HES continue to work positively towards reaching an agreement, with the shared aim of securing a sustainable future for Kinneil Museum”.
A spokesperson for the Friends of Kinneil said: “We are pleased that the Council decided to keep the museum open for another two months to allow their hopeful discussions with Historic Environment Scotland to continue. We are very grateful to Councillor Ritchie for her efforts, and thank all parties for agreeing this sensible extension.
“However, the reprieve is not long. The overall background to this situation and the prolonged, continuing uncertainty are – to say the least – deeply frustrating in a year which marks our 20th anniversary, and 50th anniversary of the Council’s opening of the museum.
“Everyone’s fingers will be crossed that there will indeed be a positive resolution soon and a secure future for this outstanding place for the years ahead.
“In the meantime we hope visitors will keep coming to discover all the history and parkland that’s on offer, as the season gets under way.”
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Additional notes:
– Video from the proceedings is available here, from 1:40:30 to 2:32:45, and from 3:45:30 to 3:50:15.
– Text of the adjusted motion which was unanimously agreed and adopted:
“Council notes that Kinneil Museum is currently scheduled to close on 31 March 2026 unless it is taken over by another body.
Council fully understands and respects the strong desire within the community to see Kinneil Museum remain open.
Council welcomes the positive progress being made in ongoing discussions with HES but regrets that these have not yet reached a satisfactory conclusion.
Council therefore agrees to extend Kinneil Museum’s closing date by 2 months to allow discussions with HES to conclude and that revenue costs of up to £14,000 to be met by reserves.
Council accordingly instructs officers to continue to press HES with urgency so that this matter can be brought to a successful conclusion at the earliest opportunity.
Council re-affirms its commitment to securing a positive outcome which represents a sustainable, long-term solution”.
– The Council meeting was also informed by officers that a separate toilet adjacent to the entrance to the walled garden has been refurbished for public use, even if the museum is closed.
*VISIT KINNEIL ~ and discover 2,000 years of history!*
A gallery of views from inside the museum:
Kinneil 
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