A funding package worth nearly £450,000 is to be shared by 12 attractions after Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) announced the latest awards for Recognised Collections.

The grants will help support schemes that are designed to improve the visitor experience at some of the country's most important collections. A variety of projects received the top award of £40,000, including Dundee City Council for a custom-made storage system for the long-term preservation of "delicate" art works.

Almond Valley Heritage Trust, the National Robert Burns Collection Partnership, Dundee Heritage Trust, and Renfrewshire Council have received £40,000 in the latest awards. The University of Aberdeen, the Scottish Maritime Museum Trust and the Scottish Railway Preservation Trust also secured £40,000 as part of the latest announcement.

Other awards include the University of Edinburgh (£32,858); the Scottish Mining Museum Trust (£36,780); Pier Arts Centre (£13,372); and Auchindrain Trust (£39,982). MGS chief executive officer Joanne Orr said: "These collections are varied and the vast array of objects they contain reflect centuries of effort to gather, preserve and interpret.

"The funds we make available allow museums to care for their collections and find new and exciting ways to tell us their stories." Image: Almond Valley Heritage Trust will use the funding to create a study centre to enable visitors to explore the Shale Oil industry