South Lanarkshire Council

At the museum in Hamilton, a fantastic weekend of events is being staged to entertain everyone whilst giving a brief glimpse into the long and important history of the town of Hamilton.

Over the weekend, Low Parks will be taking part in the European 'Museums at Night' event, providing a unique opportunity to experience Hamilton's most iconic building - Hamilton Mausoleum - at its most atmospheric - by candlelight.

And if you are over 16 and looking for something a little bit different and scary why not experience 'Twilight' at the museum on Friday 18 May from 7-9pm.

On the evening you can get a 'vampire' makeover before you are taken on a spine-tingling, candlelit tour of Hamilton Mausoleum with its symbols of Life, Death and Immortality!

And while you prepare to step out for the twilight tour you can enjoy classical music, including Bella's Lullaby, playing in the museum's 18th century Assembly Room.

From 12-noon on Saturday 19 May, at the newly refurbished Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) regimental display, together with Living History Scotland, you will have the opportunity to experience, at first hand, Scottish life in the late 1600s.

A troop of Covenanters will be setting up camp in the museum courtyard, demonstrating uniform and weapons of the time. You can even have a go on the archery range. These are free drop in events which are suitable for all ages. However, children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

And from 12-noon on Sunday 20 May you can travel back in time to Renaissance Scotland in the 1500s to meet Mary, Queen of Scots and her ladies-in-waiting.

It was in Hamilton that Mary rallied her troops prior to the battle of Langside and their weapons and armour of the time will be on show. As part of the National Festival of Museums, Mary Queen of Scots returns to the town in all her splendour complete with dazzling costumes and wonderful jewels of the time.

And if that's not enough, Hamilton Palace in its heyday played host to a number of playwrights and musicians, including the composer Chopin.

In celebration of Chopin's visit there will be a piano recital of his music in the Museum's 18th century Assembly Room on Sunday 20 May from 7-9pm.

And, as part of our 'Museums at Night' events the evocative Funeral March will set the scene for our atmospheric candlelit tour of the Mausoleum to hear of the fascinating history of this wonderful building and also the stories of the colourful lives of the members of the Hamilton family whose bodies once rested there.

For more information or to book a place on any of these free events, please email aileen.meechan@southlanarkshireleisure.co.uk or call her on 01698 476170.