This Saturday sees the opening of Scotland’s latest international visitor attraction – Moat Brae house and garden, the new National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling.
The beautiful Georgian property in Dumfries, where the young J.M. Barrie and his friends played the games that inspired Peter Pan, was saved from demolition 10 years ago and £8 million has been raised for its restoration and transformation.
It is now looking forward to a new future – firing young imaginations and promoting a love of creativity – and is expected to attract 31,000 visitors a year and generate £1.3 million to the area’s economy.
Visitors will be able to enjoy themed interactive exhibits, reading and play areas, temporary exhibitions, a shop and café overlooking the river Nith. There will be costumed guides, discovery trails and a year-round programme of inspirational activities.
Among the delightful features will be the original Tinker Bell (a small bell that J.M. Barrie bought to be rung whenever his fairy character appeared in the original stage version of the story) and a spectacular dolls’ house nearly 6ft tall.
And outside, in the grounds where JM Barrie played pirates in the 1870s, will be the Neverland Discovery Garden with:
- A pirate ship
- Wendy house
- Mermaid’s Lagoon
- A performance space … and much more.
Simon Davidson, Moat Brae Centre Director, said: “The opening will be a very special moment – Moat Brae inspired a truly great storyteller to create one of the greatest and best-loved children’s tales of all time.
“And now it has been brought back to life as our National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling in order to spark the imaginations of many thousands of young people from every corner of the world.”
Moat Brae, which J.M. Barrie referred to as “enchanted land” will stage a wide variety of events and educational programmes.
It will also celebrate the immense richness of modern and classic poems, stories and children’s literature and illustrations from at home and abroad.
Dame Barbara Kelly, Chairman of the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust (PPMBT) which runs the centre, said: “We are hugely grateful to all the many individuals and organisations who have come together to make our dream come true by saving Moat Brae and creating somewhere that children can play and let their imaginations roam free – just as J.M. Barrie’s did.”
The public fundraising campaign to save and restore Moat Brae was spearheaded by PPMBT Patron Joanna Lumley.
She said: “The moment you step into Moat Brae you understand why J.M. Barrie called it ‘enchanted land’.
“It is fantastic that children and young people everywhere can now have the chance to enjoy its magic, discover the joys of Peter Pan, and revel in other children’s literature and stories from many different times, places and cultures. It’s a wonderful achievement.”
The project has been made possible thanks to the help of a wide variety of supporters including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, VisitScotland, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Creative Scotland (see a full list below).
The National Lottery Heritage Fund contributed £1.78million to the transformation.
Riona McMorrow, Acting Head in Scotland, said:“The magical heritage of Peter Pan was for years hidden in the walls and garden of this neglected, old house. With funds raised by players of The National Lottery, magic and wonder now fill the air at Moat Brae. It will delight visitors from far and wide, inspiring a new generation of creative storytellers while protecting the wonderful legacy of J.M. Barrie.”
Caroline Clark, Acting Head of Grants at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “We are pleased to support the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust with over £300,000 to restore the building and bring it back into reuse. We hope that generations of children to come will enjoy exploring the new National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling and be inspired to use their imagination, just as J.M. Barrie did when he played in the gardens almost 150 years ago.”
In years to come Moat Brae will host resident and visiting authors, poets, illustrators and others.
Moat Brae adds a major new addition to the visitor attractions of southern Scotland and provides a venue for other events and activities – for example staging performan
Moat Brae adds a major new addition to the visitor attractions of southern Scotland and provides a venue for other events and activities – for example staging performances during the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival and providing space for artists during the annual Spring Fling open studios weekend.
Mairi Kidd, Creative Scotland Head of Literature, Languages & Publishing, said: “Creative Scotland is pleased to have been able to support the development of this unique National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling thanks to funding provided by National Lottery players. We look forward to an inspiring programme showcasing and developing Children’s Literature that will spark the imaginations of thousands of children across the country and build on Scotland’s fantastic programming for young people. Huge congratulations to everyone involved. ”
Paula Ward, VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director, said: “The opening of Moat Brae marks a new chapter for literary tourism in Scotland – the arrival of the Dumfries attraction is an important addition to our country’s literary legacy and is sure to propel the region into the spotlight, sprinkling its magical fairy dust across the South of Scotland and shining a spotlight on everything that it has to offer.
“We know people people are inspired to visit destinations they know from books, tv or film and literary tourism is an important tool for helping us showcase Scotland to audiences around the world. Whether it is Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott or Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Scotland’s stories continue to entrance our visitors.
“Scotland’s reputation as a quality destination relies on continued investment to ensure that current provision meets future demand. The opening of Peter Pan Moat Brae will help grow the region’s tourism offering and attract new visitors.
rtists during the annual Spring Fling open studios weekend.
Mairi Kidd, Creative Scotland Head of Literature, Languages & Publishing, said: “Creative Scotland is pleased to have been able to support the development of this unique National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling thanks to funding provided by National Lottery players. We look forward to an inspiring programme showcasing and developing Children’s Literature that will spark the imaginations of thousands of children across the country and build on Scotland’s fantastic programming for young people. Huge congratulations to everyone involved. ”
Paula Ward, VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director, said: “The opening of Moat Brae marks a new chapter for literary tourism in Scotland – the arrival of the Dumfries attraction is an important addition to our country’s literary legacy and is sure to propel the region into the spotlight, sprinkling its magical fairy dust across the South of Scotland and shining a spotlight on everything that it has to offer.
“We know people people are inspired to visit destinations they know from books, tv or film and literary tourism is an important tool for helping us showcase Scotland to audiences around the world. Whether it is Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott or Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Scotland’s stories continue to entrance our visitors.
“We hope that people young and old will feel inspired by the boy who never grew up and be transported back to childhood in a place where their imagination can run wild at Peter Pan Moat Brae.”
- See the website at https://www.peterpanmoatbrae.org
– Ends –
Notes for Editors
- For media information contact Matthew Shelley at [email protected] or on 07786 704299.
- A selection of photographs is available by clicking here or from the DropBox folder at http://bit.ly/2VDfn2o or on request.
Main funders
Founding Partners: The National Lottery Heritage Fund,The Castansa Trust,Historic Environment Scotland,Scottish Enterprise,Scottish Government,Dumfries & Galloway Council.
Darling Donors: The Robertson Trust,William Grant Foundation,The Foyle Foundation,The Binks Trust,Garfield Weston Foundation,The Andrew Salvesen Family Trust,Tam O’Shanter Trust,The Landale Family Charitable Trust,Foundation Scotland, Landfill Communities Fund,The Pilgrim Trust,The Hugh Fraser Foundation,Barscobe Heritage Trust,The Walt Disney Company,The Estate of Kirsty Maxwell Stuart,The Estate of Robin Callander,Drigg Young Farmers Club,Solway Heritage,The Crocodile Fund.
Peter Donors: Dunard Fund,The Turtleton Trust,Architectural Heritage Fund,WD Forsyth Fund,The Buccleuch Charitable Foundation,The Stairway Charitable Trust,The Laggan Trust,The Batchworth Trust,The Barfil Charitable Trust,The Holywood Trust.
Tinker Bell Donors: The Rothschild Foundation,The John Younger Trust,St Hilary Trust,Bookwell Primary School,The People’s Project,The Portling Pirates.
About J M Barrie and the Trust
- Author and playwright J M Barrie lived in Dumfries from the age of 13 to 17, and played in the garden at Moat Brae. His first work of fiction was a “log book” recording the games of pirates and adventure that he played there under the name of “Sixteen String Jack”. He attended the nearby Dumfries Academy and enjoyed his first experiences in staged productions at Dumfries Theatre Royal.
- J M Barrie returned to the town and on being awarded the Freedom of Dumfries, he described his childhood there as “the happiest days” of his life.
- The Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust was set up in 2009 to save Moat Brae House and garden from demolition and to celebrate its international literary connection as ‘The Birthplace of Peter Pan’. * For more information log onto the Trust website www.peterpanmoatbrae.org * Follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MoatBrae and twitter@ppmbt
- For more information please contact Catherine Colwell 01387 255 549/07793 488 439.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, leadand resourcethe UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting changefor people and communities, now and in the future. www.HeritageFund.org.uk. Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund.
About Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland.
About Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is the lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment.
Historic Environment Scotland provides a significant role as a grant provider, investing over £14.5 million per year in national and local organisations to support building repairs, ancient monuments, archaeological work, the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme and the voluntary sector. HES encourages community groups and property owners who meet requirements to apply for grants under the various schemes.
HES is also the lead on delivering Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, Our Place in Time.Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES. HES is a registered Scottish Charity. Scottish Charity No. SC045925. You can keep up to date with news from HES and register for media release email alerts here. If you wish to unsubscribe contact us. You can follow HES on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and our blog.