Following prolonged uncertainty and discussions surrounding the future of Falkirk Council’s Kinneil Museum, which was facing closure from the end of May, a joint statement has now issued from the Council and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and is copied below. Whilst full details remain to be confirmed, the news has been widely welcomed.
Visitors should note that, pending more information on new operating arrangements, the Museum will be temporarily closed from 1-12 June. Kinneil House is also closed on Saturday 6 June and access to Kinneil Estate will be restricted that weekend, due to the annual Bo’ness Car Show taking place. Both the Museum and the House should be open again on Saturday 13 June. New opening arrangements beyond that will be published in due course..
Joint Council/HES statement:
“Earlier this year, Falkirk Council agreed to defer the closure of Kinneil Museum from 31 March to 31 May 2026 to allow more time for discussions with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) regarding the future of the building.
We are pleased to confirm that a short-term licence agreement is close to being reached with HES, who hope to assume management of the property from 13 June 2026 while longer-term arrangements are developed and finalised.
To support the transition, Kinneil Museum will close temporarily from 1 to 12 June. This short closure period will allow practical arrangements associated with the transfer of management to be completed.
Council officers are working closely with HES to agree on any items from the museum that could remain on display at Kinneil and those that will be transferred to the Council’s Museum Store for safe keeping. The Council’s museum collection remains accessible online and continues to be updated with new information and research. Work is also progressing on proposals for a new publicly accessible museum store, creating future opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with the collection. Items currently on loan to the museum will be returned to their owners.
Visitors to Kinneil can continue to access public toilets at the Walled Garden. Falkirk Council is working with Sustainable Thinking Scotland to further improve these facilities, with upgrades planned over the coming weeks, including new tiling and the installation of solar panels.
HES has also confirmed that Kinneil House is open for the summer season and will continue to welcome visitors every Saturday until the end of September.
Falkirk Council and HES have worked closely throughout this process and remain committed to securing a positive and sustainable future for the site as an important heritage destination for local residents and visitors alike.”
Kinneil 
You must be logged in to post a comment.