Home - News & Media - Mercat Tours launch new group tours of the National Museum of Scotland
After celebrating their 30th anniversary and new for 2016, family run Mercat Tours launches a major new partnership offering exclusive products to the travel trade for groups and cruise itineraries.
Developed to meet the specific needs of tour operators and with seamless join ticketing, the tours are available exclusively from the award-winning tour company.
In partnership with National Museums Scotland, Mercat have researched five new tours which reveal the stories captured in the famous Scottish galleries in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Highlighting some of the most significant artefacts in the country’s history, Mercat’s accredited guides will trace the story of the objects which have shaped Scotland’s past, present and future.
With year round availability, the travel trade group offering is part of Mercat’s tour programme of historical walks and ghost tours which include Edinburgh Castle and the Blair Street Underground Vaults. In addition to the new partnership, they are also expanding on the existing German, French and Spanish and special interest ‘Outlander’ tour offered.
The full portfolio of tours, grade 91% 5 stars by VisitScotland are available to the travel trade. With both freesale for FITs and group rates on offer, Mercat have an experienced team to respond to trade requests. Launching at VisitScotland’s EXPO in Edinburgh, representatives from Mercat Tours and National Museums Scotland will be attending the 2 day trade mission as part of Scotland’s Heritage partnership, Aisle M.
Stephen Allen, Head of Learning and Programmes, National Museums Scotland commented,
‘We’re delighted to be offering these exciting new tours. The Scottish Galleries at the National Museum of Scotland make a great starting point for any visitor to Scotland to immerse themselves in Scottish history through some of the nation’s great treasures from the Lewis Chessmen to Mary, Queen of Scots’ jewellery. We believe these tours will help to highlight some of the most important moments in the Scottish story and bring to life the magnificent objects we display.’
Note to Editors
Mercat Tours:
@MercatToursLtd
Mercat Tours is an award-winning walking tour company operating scheduled history and ghost tours of Edinburgh, including, exclusively, the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Mercat Tours is a family business and the original 5 star walking tour company in Scotland, operating since 1985. Diversifying into bespoke group tours, coach guides, city tours and costumed interpretation new brand ‘Mercat Presents…’ launched in 2013. Outbound educational tours to WWI & WWII battlefields of Europe are operated by Mercat Tours International.
Tour Themes:
1) A History of Scotland in 20 Objects
2) What Makes a Scot?
3) Scotland’s Dark History
4) Exploding the Myths
5) Symbols of Scotland
National Museums Scotland:
- National Museums Scotland looks after museum collections of national and international importance and provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
- The National Museum of Scotland reopened in summer 2011 following a three-year, £50m redevelopment. With over 8 million visits since reopening, the National Museum of Scotland is the most popular museum in the country outside London (data from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions). The National Museum of Scotland was awarded ‘Gold’ Level Green Tourism Visitor Attraction status in 2016.
The Museum is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2016 and is a Visit Scotland 5* attraction.
For further information contact:
Jean Burke
Marketing Manager
Mercat Tours
28 Blair Street
EDINBURGH
EH1 1QR
0131 225 5445
www.mercattoursinternational.com
Further information and images in respect of the National Museum of Scotland from Kirsten Cowie, Press Office, National Museums Scotland on 0131 247 4391 or email K.cowie@nms.ac.uk