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  • Last updated: January 23rd 2023

Sector Stories

Be inspired and learn about the amazing work being undertaken by museums and galleries across Scotland, through stories, case studies, and insights.

An adult with light skin, grey hair, an orange jumpsuit, and a white hard hat shows a metal safety lamp to a group of adults and children.
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MGS Funded
6 people stand in an auditorium around a Benin Bronze sculpture placed upon a plinth covered in a blue table cloth that has "University of Aberdeen" written on it. 5 of the people have dark skin, 1 has light skin. The people are all wearing examples of formal dress in either the western european style or North West African style.
Return (and Other) Stories
Returning a Benin Bronze to its rightful place: Benin City
In 2021, the University of Aberdeen returned a looted Benin Bronze from their collection to the Oba of Benin, becoming the first UK institution to agree to an unconditional return of a Benin Bronze. Neil Curtis, from University of Aberdeen, outlines the process of giving back a pillaged object without a repatriation request being made. 
A black plastic tub containing objects associated with Scottish football in the mid-20th century. This includes a leather football, a football boot, a cap, and a wooden rattle.
Scottish Football Museum
Football Memories: from pilot scheme to national programme
Football Memories started in 2009 with a simple idea: to tackle social isolation by setting up reminiscence groups. Curator Richard McBrearty reflects on how the project has grown from an MGS-funded pilot to a national programme which benefits thousands of people.
An adult with light skin and medium-length grey hair smiles next to a table displaying military costume.
Focus On
Focus on: Fair Work in action
Find out how Scotland's museums and galleries are putting Fair Work into practice with this focus on insights and interviews from across the museum sector workforce.
A group of medium skin tone people wearing traditional clothing of the Nisga’a Nation stand on a balcony behind the wooden Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole. The pole depicts animals carved into the wood and extends out of shot at the top and bottom of the image.
Return (And Other) Stories
The Rematriation of the House of Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole
The House of Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole, stolen from the Nisga’a Nation in the 1920s, was rematriated from National Museums Scotland (NMS) in 2023. Noxs Ts’aawit (Dr. Amy Parent) of The Nisga’a Nation and Dr. John Giblin from NMS outline the process of international cooperation to rematriate the Memorial Pole to its ancestral home.
A pair of blue wool socks displayed on a red and green tartan blanket.
Glenesk Folk Museum
Flock to Sock
In this video case study we hear from Museum Development Officer Julie Cave about Glenesk Folk Museum's Flock to Sock project.
An ornate gold chalice positioned between two display panels which contain medallions.
Brodick Castle, National Trust for Scotland
Hidden treasures: developing skills and confidence in collections
Collections are at the heart of museum work. Find out how investing in the documentation and display of Napoleonic coins enabled the team at Brodick Castle to gain new expertise and strengthen their connections with other heritage organisations.
A group of six adults gather around a glass jar containing a lizard specimen.
Return (And Other) Stories
Return of the Galliwasp
Staff at The Hunterian share their experience of returning a specimen of the extinct Jamaican giant galliwasp back home to Jamaica. They highlight how the repatriation of the specimen was achieved through collaboration with curators and academics in Jamaica, and explain the challenges and outcomes of the process.
A museum display featuring a poster of South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, a placard with an image of a raised fist and the text "Black Lives Matter", and a black sign with the text "Sheku Bayoh Street".
Focus On: Education in Action
We spoke with four museum sector workers to find out how they're focusing on education by engaging with learners to co-curate displays, develop skills, and explore topics of migration and empire.
A wooded area with a path running through, and wild flowers.
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum
Using outdoor spaces to diversify audiences and benefit nature
This case study explores the value of creating an outdoor space for engaging visitors and the local community, as well as attracting new audiences while also benefiting the local biodiversity.
An adult with light skin and medium-length blonde hair sits on a bench in a garden while a child with light skin and brown hair sits on the floor with a map and an ink stamp. The adult and child are laughing and smiling.
Focus On: Collaboration in action
Business partnerships, forums, and shared engagement activities: three museum sector workers offer insights into how they’re achieving the collaboration aims of Scotland’s museums and galleries strategy.
A crowd of people smile and wave rainbow Pride flags as they march down a high street on a sunny day.
Focus On
Focus On: Inclusion in action
This spotlight on museum sector workers showcases how museums and galleries are putting the inclusion aims of Scotland's museums and galleries strategy into practice.
A large group of people wearing hi-vis vests are standing and sitting in front of a replica crannog and smiling at the camera.
The Scottish Crannog Centre
Creating an equitable museum workplace
Rachel Backshall, Assistant Director at The Scottish Crannog Centre talks about the museum's approach to Fair Work and how they have created an equitable workplace where everyone can participate, express themselves, contribute, and feel valued.