Well, it’s all over now. After some furious PR activity, including notable success in print, radio and Twitter, Show Scotland 2009 exploded into life over the bank holiday weekend.

With over 180 events across the country, there was something for everyone and the reception to the exciting Museums and Galleries big events weekend has been hugely positive.

Reflecting this uplifting campaign has been the official office symbol of Show Scotland 2009, the butterfly balloon.

You may have seen this chirpy inflated item in the official Show Scotland 2009 photocall, as two cute child actors chased it around up Blackford Hill.

Despite the breeze, the extravagant prop returned to the office where it has been left to its own devices.

Unfortunately after a month of strong floating, our colourful friend is suffering and is on its last legs as the image below shows.

Could be bird flu, could be swine flu, either way it’s been a cracking member of the team throughout April!

If you managed to get along to a Show Scotland event we’re keen to hear from you. There are £100 vouchers up for grabs if you fill in the following short survey: http://tinyurl.com/ddfwwu

What a few weeks we’ve had…(Please hold your reservations for our lack of blogging till you’ve read what we’ve been up to.)

First of all it’s been a hugely exciting time for Hot Tin Roof, especially for our online PR service.

As well as various bits of work, we have now secured two massively exciting new clients! So exciting every sentence must end with an explanation mark!

Shame is we can’t really shout about it yet, but my word when we can the noise will be deafening!

Our girl Emma is currently in New York, New York for a wee vacation. Jealous we may be, but that doesn’t stop us from wishing her a Happy Birthday while she is out there.

In other HTR news, Chris has been giddy this week with the British and Irish Lions squad announcement. If that wasn’t enough to get him going, he also got a reply on Twitter from his first favourite rugby player, the legendary Will Carling. Check out the exchange below!

It’s been all hands to the pump as well as its now just over two weeks until the May Bank Holiday Museums and Galleries Scotland big events weekend, Show Scotland.

It’s sure to be an amazing weekend so do check out what’s on near you. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed the weather stays as good too!

Copyright © Paul Dodds Photography

Show Scotland 2009 launches today as its website – www.showscotland.com – goes live with information on events taking place at museums and galleries across Scotland over the May bank holiday (1-4 May).

With around 50 museums and galleries confirmed to date, generating a multitude of events including late night openings, fun family activities and specially created arts performances, there is something for everyone.

Show Scotland, a Museums Galleries Scotland initiative, welcomes back old and introduces new visitors to the nations museums and galleries with a dazzling diversity of original interactive and energising events.

Show Scotland provides museums and galleries with an opportunity to be creative and daring with their collections and venue space.  These innovative and original events are specially designed for Show Scotland.

Already Show Scotland has had a huge impact on both audiences and participating venues since its launch in 2006 and is already a highlight on Scotland’s cultural calendar.  It has sustained a strong year on year growth rate, resulting in higher visitor numbers and increased events capacity, planning and self promotion reported by participating museums and galleries.

Last year saw 58 museums and galleries taking part and overall visitor figures for the weekend have significantly increased with 65,719 visits made to participating venues – a 36% increase on 2007.

Joanne Orr, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland comments: “Show Scotland is a chance to celebrate and have some fun with our extraordinary heritage through creative and exciting events.  The sheer exuberance of the programme infects everyone working in the sector and every year we see the energy grow stronger and stronger in anticipation of the big May weekend.”

See www.showscotland.com for details of all events.  Although most Show Scotland events are free, some have limited places and can get booked up quickly so visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

This year Show Scotland is also on Facebook and Twitter, keeping visitors and members up to date with developments as preparations get underway.

Facebook – http://tinyurl.com/showscotland09

Twitter – www.twitter.com/showscotland

Ends