Discover a dinosaur and meet a mummy as University gears up for Night at the Museum

It’s not everyday you come face to face with a life size prehistoric dinosaur or meet an authentic Egyptian mummy – but visitors to two Aberdeen museums this Saturday (17 May) will have the chance to experience just that.

These enthralling characters will be just some of the unique and fascinating sights which will greet visitors to the University of Aberdeen's Marischal and Zoology Museums this weekend, as the venues host the inaugural Night at the Museum event. 

Taking inspiration from the Hollywood blockbuster of the same name, the two intriguing buildings will throw open their doors to the public for a spooky and surprising evening of activities, tours and presentations. 

The occasion takes place as part of a Europe wide initiative to promote museums across the continent.  The University of Aberdeen is the only Scottish organisation taking part in the project which will see some 1000 museums invite members of the public to discover what really goes on after hours in these captivating buildings.

Torch-lit trail treasure hunts, creepy crawlies, glowstick lantern making, star gazing and behind the scenes tours are just some of the interactive festivities which will be available at the event. 

Dr Andy Schofield, Academic Co-ordinator Promoting Science at the University of Aberdeen says: "The University of Aberdeen is thrilled to be taking part in this exciting Europe wide initiative, which sees us invite the public to enjoy a sneaky peek into what goes on after hours in these two extremely interesting buildings.

"The life size dinosaur and Egyptian mummy are just two of the entirely unique sights visitors to the Zoology and Marischal museums on Saturday will experience.   A host of events and activities to entertain the family will be on offer - from the chance to meet a ghostly academic ghoul, listen to bats and get up close to some creepy crawlies, to guided tours of artefact displays and exhibitions, and film screenings including the popular Ben Stiller movie "Night at the Museum", which has inspired this occasion."

Entries for the inaugural 'Deen in the Dark photo competition, will also be displayed at the Night at the Museum event.  From night cityscapes to nocturnal creatures, entrants to the competition were asked to capture images of Aberdeen after dark.  The winning images will be announced during Saturday's event.

The University of Aberdeen Night at the Museum event takes place on Saturday 17^th May at the Zoology Museum, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue and Marischal Museum, Broad Street, Aberdeen.  For full details visit www.abdn.ac.uk/nightatthemuseum.

The event at the Zoology Museum will take place from 7pm until midnight, beginning with a screening of the Night at the Museum film at 7.30pm.   Free parking is available on-site. 

Marischal Museum will be open from 7pm until 10pm.

Admission to both events is free.  Booking is required for some of the guided tour events at Marischal Museum - contact 01224 274301 or email href="mailto:museums@abdn.ac.uk">museums@abdn.ac.uk</a>.</p>

For further information on the Night at the Museum event contact Sarah Redmond on 01224 274309, email href="mailto:s.redmond@abdn.ac.uk">s.redmond@abdn.ac.uk</a> or the Natural History Centre on 01224 274545 or email href="mailto:nat.hist@abdn.ac.uk">nat.hist@abdn.ac.uk</a>.</p>

Entries for the 'Deen in the Dark photo competition should be delivered by person or post to Marischal Museum, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1YS.  For further details visit www.abdn.ac.uk/nightatthemuseum.