Dynamic Earth in Holyrood begins building its new Arthur's Seat Gallery

Construction work has officially begun on a new permanent gallery at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh's science centre and planetarium, dedicated to the landmark that rises right behind it: Arthur's Seat.

The milestone came as the charity reached its £80,000 public fundraising target in October. That sum is boosted by a further £173,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, bringing total funding for the project to more than £250,000. The public appeal was a match-funding requirement, so every donation helped to unlock the lottery support.

To mark the moment, Caroline Clark, the Heritage Fund's director for Scotland, visited Dynamic Earth on Friday 2 October for an update and preview of the gallery's development, meeting chief executive Gwilym Gibbons and fundraising and marketing director Helen Chomczuk.

The Arthur's Seat Gallery will be a free, fully accessible space exploring the volcanic origins, scientific significance and environmental future of Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat. Through immersive film, interactive displays and hands-on experiences, visitors will be able to explore 300 million years of geological history. Dynamic Earth says the gallery will open in early 2027.

Every year more than half a million people climb Arthur's Seat, yet relatively few know the story beneath their feet or the pressures the site faces, from erosion and biodiversity loss to wildfire risk and climate change. The new gallery aims to change that and to encourage responsible enjoyment of the park.

The setting could hardly be more fitting. Dynamic Earth sits at the foot of the extinct volcano, and Arthur's Seat played a key role in the development of modern geology. This year Dynamic Earth also marked the 300th birthday of Edinburgh-born James Hutton, widely regarded as the father of modern geology, on 3 June.

"Arthur's Seat is woven into Edinburgh's identity," said Helen Chomczuk. "It is a place of global scientific importance and deep personal meaning for so many people. This Gallery will help visitors understand not only how this extraordinary landscape was formed, but why it needs our care now more than ever."

Caroline Clark said Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park were an incredible geological landscape to have right at the heart of Edinburgh. The lottery funding will also support an outdoor learning programme and interactive experiences in the park, developed with community organisations so that they reach more people of all ages.

With building work now under way, Edinburgh can look forward to a new free way to get to know the hill on its doorstep, and perhaps a few more walkers pausing to wonder at what lies beneath.