Discover Perth Museum's First Exhibition: The Unicorn

30 March – 22 September 2024 10am — 5pm, Mon — Sun

Perth’s brand-new Museum is opening it’s (newly refurbished) doors on March 30th, and we have the scoop on one of their debut exhibitions: Unicorn.

Delving into the fascinating narrative of Scotland's ancient national symbol, the museum’s inaugural exhibition allows visitors to immerse themselves in the profound significance of this beloved mythical being. Traversing from ancient times, all the way through to the being’s prevalence in contemporary culture, visitors will delve into the story of the unicorn by travelling through thoughtfully curated galleries that unveil the enduring legacy of the unicorn throughout history, along with shedding light on its role as a symbol of Scotland's evolving heritage and identity.

The exhibition features iconic loans from prestigious national and international collections, such as: the infamous ‘Danny Jewel’, an Elizabethan pendant constructed of Narwhal horn and enameled gold, normally found at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London; Luca Longhi’s renowned ‘Lady and the Unicorn’ oil painting loan from the Castello Angelo in Rome; and a 700-year-old carved narwhal tusk from the Welcome Collection.

The exhibition also highlights objects and stories of personal significance from the local community. From ornaments and images, to memorabilia and toys, the display will highlight the continuous power of this symbol in contemporary culture, culminating in the seven newly commissioned artworks that delve into the unicorn's modern representation as a symbol of the LGBTQI+ community.

Interactive displays will make sure all members of the family remain fully engaged. In honour of this debut exhibit, the museum has invited some real unicorns along to the party! On the Saturday and Sunday (12-4pm) of opening weekend, the guests of honor are there to meet the whole family outside St John’s Kirk (opposite the Museum). Make sure to grab some pictures with them, along with sharing the fun online with the #PerthUnicorn.

If meeting the Museum’s furry friends has got your little one’s creative juices flowing, head down to Perth Art Gallery for 1:30pm on Saturday 30th of March for an exciting afternoon of crafts. The perfect opportunity to explore the theme of unicorns and all manner of other mythical creatures, this free drop in will give the kids the perfect outlet to get crafty.

Tickets for Unicorn cost £10/£8 and are available to book now online via Perthshire Box Office; members of the Culture Perth and Kinross Supporters Scheme receive free entry.