On 22 December 2003 the Scottish Executive announced the guidelines for a £3 million programme to support the development of regional museum partnerships. At the instigation of Herbert Coutts, Director of Culture & Leisure at City of Edinburgh Council, a consortium of museums in Scottish Borders, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Edinburgh and Fife, including Local Authority, independent, university and national museums, was established with the aim of submitting applications to the fund for specific projects which would be of benefit to all the partners.

The consortium has now been successful in securing funding for two projects: The Museum Skill Exchange and Training Network (lead partner Scottish Borders Council) and the Digital Resource Development Team (lead partner East Lothian Council). The total value of the each grant is £300,000 over three years.

This blog has been set up as a means of keeping partners, public and funders informed about the progress of the developing partnership; as a way of gathering feedback and as a means of generating discussion.

If you would like to contribute to the blog, send an email to blog@mages.org.uk for a username and password.