For the next two years school pupils in Shetland will have the opportunity to handle replica Egyptian artefacts from National Museums Scotland. Museum on the Move (MoM): Ancient Egypt is a touring learning resource which has been developed by National Museums Scotland in partnership with Shetland Museum and Archives, Renfrewshire Council and East Ayrshire Council.

MoM is an educational resource designed to enable users to learn about life and death in Ancient Egypt through a range of activities, including the opportunity to dress up like a Queen, try writing like an Egyptian using hieroglyphs, and to explore a burial site.

Christine McLean, Access & Outreach Manager, National Museums Scotland, said: “We wanted to create something that would use our collections in a creative way to help teachers, pupils and families enjoy learning about the Ancient Egyptians.”

Kirsty Kennedy Lifelong Learning Officer of Shetland Museum and Archives, said: “We are often contacted by teachers wondering where they can get museum resources on topics not covered by our collections such as the Egyptians or dinosaurs. We were delighted when National Museums Scotland contacted us about developing a resource which would enable pupils to have access to such collections. Museum on the Move is already fully booked until the summer of 2008 with some bookings received for 2009.”

For further information please contact National Museums Scotland press office on 0131 247 4391. For further information on the Shetland Museum and Archives, please contact Charlotte Kissack or Rebecca Salt at Colman Getty on 0131 558 8851 or email charlotte@colmangetty.co.uk