The David Livingstone Birthplace will be closed over the festive season due to increased cases of Covid-19.
Museum bosses took the decision in order to protect their staff, visitors and volunteers, while concern grows over the new Omicron variant in Lanarkshire.
It means the Birthplace won't reopen until January 8 after closing on Monday, December 20.
And for a month, the Blantyre museum will only be open on weekends as organisations throughout the area alike try to limit social gatherings and the risk of spreading the virus.
It will then fully reopen in February.
A spokesperson from the Birthplace said: "Looking after visitors, volunteers and staff is David Livingstone Birthplace's priority.
"As Covid cases begin to rise through the winter months, we have made the decision to: close from December 20 to January 7.
"Open weekends only from January 8, 2022 (until February 2022)."
It comes after the museum reopened to the public this summer following a £9.1 million regeneration plan.
It now includes a brand-new exhibition space in the historic Shuttle Row tenements where the famous explorer was born and raised; a newly refurbished shop and café, new children’s play park, and 11 hectares of free to access parkland.
This year, the Birthplace welcomed 28 new volunteers to its volunteering team.
And there was also the launch of brand new exhibitions including one dedicated to Black History Month.
Reflecting on an eventful year for the historic site, museum director Grant MacKenzie said: "It has been a truly life-changing year for us all here at David Livingstone Birthplace In 2021, our multi-talented team - ranging from our volunteers and trustees through to our new staff - have delivered the relaunched David Livingstone Birthplace. What a magnificent achievement!
"We opened a brand new exhibition that has transformed our site into a world-class museum, as well as a new café, shop, and play park. Not bad for our small, dedicated team who achieved all this during a pandemic.
"Feedback on the new Birthplace has been overwhelmingly positive, we have achieved over 5000 visitors, and provided a new place to visit, a place of respite, a place to learn, and ultimately a place to enjoy!
"All of this would not have been possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of our small team, our supportive communities, funders, and all those who have visited us.
"So, as the year draws to a close, we would like to thank you all for your support, let us take time to reflect on what we have achieved, look forward to the future and as they say its only just begun!
"Here is to a great 2022 and a safe festive season to everyone."
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
