COWDENBEATH MSP Annabelle Ewing is delighted that the Scottish Government Minister for Tourism is offering support for the Save the Cage campaign at Lochore Meadows Country Park.

Speaking at Porfolio Questions in the Scottish Parliament this week, Ms Ewing asked a question about how the Scottish Government promotes tourism in her constituency.

Commenting on the response from the Cabinet Secretary for Culture Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, Ms Ewing said: “Tourism is an important part of the local economy right across Scotland and the Cowdenbeath constituency is no different in that regard.

“I was pleased that the Cabinet Secretary highlighted the work that Historic Environment Scotland is doing through their new augmented reality app, ‘In the Footsteps of Kings’ which launched its first phase this summer. Amongst other visitor attractions, the app will feature Aberdour Castle (Lochgelly High School pupils recently visited it) and Ravenscraig Castle.

“Ms Hyslop also mentioned that VisitScotland’s promotion of Cowdenbeath’s rapidly growing collection of public art and that Government agencies are continuing to work with local organisations involved in the tourism sector, including the Fife Tourism Partnership and the Heartlands of Fife local tourist association".

Ms Ewing added: “In addition to the welcome initiatives mentioned in her answer, I reminded the Cabinet Secretary of something I have raised with her in the past - the Save the Cage campaign – the aim of which is to bring mining artefacts, important to the local area, to Lochore Meadows Country Park.

“I called on her to give an undertaking that she would engage with the National Mining Museum of Scotland on that campaign and was pleased to hear from her, not only that she was very aware of the Save the Cage campaign, but that she understood that discussions have taken place between the Scottish Mining Museum Collection Trust and the Fife Coast & Countryside Trust to look at the feasibility project."

The man behind the Save the Cage campaign, Robert Chalmers, said in October: "After a series of discussions and meetings with the National Mining Museum Scotland and Lochore Meadows Country Park Management over the past three or four months, the Save the Cage Group are pleased to say that a meeting was held involving the curator of the NMMS, Nicola Moss; and Collections Trust member, David Seath, along with Park Manager Ian Laing, and myself.

"The purpose of this meeting was to discuss further the proposed project to have major mining artefacts put on display in the vicinity of the Mary Colliery Head Frame, at the park, in a way that explained a miners' journey from the pit head to the coal face.

"I’m pleased to say that both the National Mining Museum of Scotland and Park Management are aware of the great potential to have major mining artefacts at the Meedies and and are committed to further explore this exciting project"