Thirlestane Castle have announced an exciting programme for the summer, including an open-air cinema, and a new location for the Toy Museum.

The castle’s historic toy collection, which features toys, games and pictures from the past, has been relocated to the former school room on the upper ground floor.

Thanks to the new location, the Toy Museum now resembles the scene of an early 20th century nursery in a country house, and it will prove a little wonderland for visiting children.

The collection showcases items loaned from the Pollock Toy Museum in London, as well as the belongings of children who once lived at the castle.

The castle, which dates back to the 16th century, is still the family home of the Maitlands.

Edward Maitland-Carew said: “I’m delighted our fantastic collection of historic toys will be back on display and am eagerly anticipating all of the special events, particularly the new Open-Air Cinema screenings.”

Thirlestane Castle features some of the finest decorative plasterworks in Europe, and one of the most extensive family collections of portraits and busts in Scotland.

Mr Maitland-Carew said: “It’s always an exciting time as we approach the start of a new visitor season here at Thirlestane Castle and I am delighted to be able to share Thirlestane Castle with visitors once again.

“We are looking forward to welcoming back familiar faces, not least our wonderful volunteers, the Friends of Thirlestane.”

Attractions available every day include the Team Room and Gift Shop. And the castle has a line-up of events throughout the summer.

The open-air cinema will take place over two occasions, first with a screening of ‘The Italian Job’ on May 31 as part of the ‘BVAC Classic – Festival of Motoring’, and then again on September 13 with a film that will be announced soon.

July 21 will see a touring theatre company Illyria perform Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ with the castle as back-drop, and for Halloween the castle will host a drive-in cinema featuring “Ghostbusters” on October 30.

More summer activities include a camping experience for children over the months of July and August, and a civil war re-enactment over the weekend of August 10-11.

During the season, Thirlestane Castle will be open every Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm, starting April 28 and until September 26.

For event tickets and more information, visit Thirlestane Castle website.