Families are in for a whale of a time at the Scottish Maritime Museum this summer - and it all starts this weekend.

From this Saturday, July 2 to October 18, the award-winning museum is set to welcome visitors to its largest programme of exhibitions and events since the pandemic.

The jam-packed ‘Come and Sea Us’ programme will feature sea monsters, mermaids and fun activities for all.

It has been made possible by the support of the Museum and Galleries Scotland Recovery Fund, which Senior Curator at the museum, Abigail McIntyre, said has allowed the museum to take things to a “whole new level”.

The summer programme will centre around an incredible ‘Sea Monsters!’ exhibition as well as two festival events during July.

On Saturday, the first festival event will take place – marking the opening day of ‘Sea Monsters!’ and will feature sea monster surprises and funfair stalls.

A second family event will take place during the Making Waves festival on Irvine Harbourside and Beach Park on the weekend of July 23/24.

Special screenings of sea monster-themed films will run on a six metre high Airscreen.

The fund has enabled the museum to take on two play officers, who will lead Magic Carpet storytelling and singing sessions for under fives and their carers, ‘Make and Take’ craft sessions for older children and activities for all.

As well as catching up with the latest news on Scotland’s most famous mysterious sea creature – the Loch Ness Monster, visitors will also explore platysaurus fossils, a shark’s jaw and wet specimens on loan from The Huntarian at the University of Glasgow.

Visitors can also ponder on the ‘Sea Monk’. Was this half man, half fish ‘monster’ appearing in naturalist reports across Europe during the 16th century real or fake?

Art will include sculptor Andy Scott’s early sketches of his 30 metre high Kelpies and two of his three metre high steel scale models, artwork from illustrator Axel Gutapfel and Irvine artist Maree Hughes’ interpretation of the legend of the Selkies or ‘seal people.

In addition, the MGS award of £56,134 has enabled the Scottish Maritime Museum to appoint two Play Officers for July and August.

The new Play Officers will lead Magic Carpet storytelling and singing sessions for under 5s and their carers, ‘Make and Take’ craft sessions for older children and STEAM activities and workshops for all.

Abigail McIntyre, Senior Curator, said: “Thanks to the Museum and Galleries Scotland’s Museums Recovery Fund award, we can take our events programme to a whole new level.”