SHOW SCOTLAND 06 is a celebration of Scotland in all its glory, to be enjoyed by everyone over the bank holiday weekend 28th-30th April 2006. This new Scottish Museums Council initiative was inspired by similar festivals in New York and Amsterdam to encourage creativity and participation in local museums and galleries. To match the national festivities, Timespan in Helmsdale has put together a great programme of events.

“We wanted to ensure there was something for everyone” said Timespan Director Rachel Skene “and are very happy indeed with the final programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the great progress we are making on so many different fronts and also deliver a truly fun weekend.”

For those who have not yet had the chance to view Wendy McMurdo’s acclaimed exhibition in the gallery, this will be one of the few remaining opportunities to see it. Also take the opportunity to enjoy the range of art and design work displayed in the shop and throughout ground floor. Fabulous textiles, jewellery and much more from contemporary artists and makers.

There will be no admission charge to the museum for all of Friday, in fact the whole centre will be open from 10.00am ‘til 10.00pm to celebrate another successful year for Timespan and to share with everyone the exciting new developments that are taking place. From 7.00pm onwards there will be live music and refreshments. Savouries will be provided courteousy of The Quiet Piggy, recently relocated to The Bridge Hotel, Helmsdale. The actor Isla Blair will be introducing the new Sutherland Explorer tour of the Kildonan Gold Rush and the inventors will be on hand to answer questions about this exciting new high tech innovation.

On Saturday at 11.00am – and this will be fantastic fun for the whole family – Timespan is holding a Treasure Hunt in the museum. With echoes of the Baile an Or Gold Rush, you may not be rich at the end of it but you’ll certainly have a great time and even win a special reward!

At 1.00pm on Sunday, starting at Timespan, there will be a free guided tour of the inner harbour and new harbour. An absolute must for those who would like to know more about this important part of Helmsdale’s past. This will be followed by a closer look at the community exhibition which provides a fascinating history of the Helmsdale Harbour.

On Sunday at 2pm Storyteller Bob Pegg will help you create your own piece of Helmsdale history using words and pictures. Bob has a great imagination and knows exactly how to stimulate creativity through the art of story telling. Prepare yourself for a lot of laughs!