Tutankhamun Glasgow: Immersive Exhibition with my family

How much of it will I actually see? I don’t expect to get to read panels in detail but will the kids just run around? Will it be engaging enough? Will it be worth it?

But I was tempted by the description of Glasgow's new visiting blockbuster ‘Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition’, even with a four-year-old and six-year-old.  

It’s billed as an ‘award-winning experience’ spread across eight expansive rooms with massive 360-degree projections, a virtual reality section, an ‘interactive metaverse room’, two treasure rooms containing artefacts and replicas, a hologram of the mummification process, and an AI photo booth.

(Image: Newsquest) It began in a promising manner with family photos – one of a few we have together and where we're all actually looking at the camera.

But the rising panic soon set in as we moved far too quickly past the introduction boards setting the scene about Ancient Egypt and the ‘Boy King’. I’m not sure what else they said because I didn’t get to read them.

But soon we lingered at some captivating moving projections which entertained us all.

(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) The hall containing the main artefacts was dominated by a huge replica sarcophagus which was displayed with a seemingly floating mummy. There wasn’t a lot of exhibits, but this meant viewers were able to fully appreciate the ones that were there.

The headline large 360-degree projection space was family friendly – aside from a random brief stumbling mummified zombie – and was the highlight for me and my four-year-old.

It took viewers on a journey through the origins of Egypt, showing off its grandeur and colour before a walk though of the discovery of the tomb of the Boy King.

Characters of the afterlife came to life but it was a gentle and approachable explanation of the key themes and beliefs of the civilization.

Insects crawled on the walls and on the floor and gold treasures cascaded down the walls.

There were some welcome small square seats here too, at which point I had to remind my kids it wasn’t a soft play, but they were fascinated at walking around the floor (and at one point lying on it) as the images moved around them.

(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) The virtual reality section was a new experience for us all and entertaining, although note to parents and carers of young kids that it starts off with you waking up in a tomb before you emerge into the afterlife. 

To my six-year-old the lava-laden landscape reminded him of The Nether from video game Minecraft (if you know, you know) so he loved it. 

We did have to give the ‘hologram of the mummification process’ section a body-swerve because it was potentially a little too graphic for the youngest.

As we took our seats and placed on headphones, a cadaver appeared on a table on what looked almost like a stage. At that point I guessed it would be too much.

I stayed for the 10-minute walkthrough and it wasn’t overly graphic, or gory, but it explain the process in some detail, as you would expect.

(Image: Newsquest) Finally, the metaverse room was sensory overload and good fun.

Its purpose wasn't for me to come away with noteworthy facts fit for regurgitation, instead I was provided with an insight into the feel of Howard Carter's archaeological excavation camp and the inside of the tomb he discovered, a unique experience.

Again, this was loved by my six-year-old whose hand I was instructed to hold throughout. This was totally necessary and would likely have resulted in some clashes otherwise.

His avatar in the metaverse displayed as a small Carter so I felt like I was walking through the Valley of the Kings with a wriggly, talkative version of the famed archaeologist himself. 

This experience was, however, a little too overwhelming for my pre-schooler (and some other adult visitors too).

On our way out after 90 minutes, the AI photos provide a decent laugh and were displayed in all their glory on big screens for all to enjoy.

The story of Tutankhamun, the Boy King, is one of the most famous of Ancient Egypt and has been told in numerous books and featured in displays over the years. But it’s never been told like this.

Even 1,500 years after the doors of the last ancient Egyptian temple was closed (I did manage to read that from one of the panels) the unique culture of the civilization is still relevant and still fascinating. And this exhibition helps the attendees engage with the subject matter in a whole new way.

Some of it may feel a little gimmicky but it was a hugely fun experience, it was educational and very memorable. And it got a thumbs-up from the whole family.

The eye-watering price is the real sticking point, especially for families, with general admission tickets costing £30, children (4-15) £22.45, or a family bundle £22.50 each four (totalling a whopping £102).

The exhibition at the SEC runs from July 24 to October 26.