First chance to look around Scotland's National Centre for Children's Literature and Storytelling at Moat Brae in Dumfries

Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling will open to the public in Dumfries on Saturday.

Saved from the brink of demolition, Moat Brae House has been restored and transformed into an amazing centre championing JM Barrie and his world-wide much loved story of Peter Pan and is set to inspire today’s youngsters and future generations into reading and writing. Eighteen jobs have been created.

The garden where Barrie played — when he was a pupil at nearby Dumfries Academy — has been transformed into an Enchanted Neverland garden, complete with a pirate ship, Wendy house, teepee, look-out tour, mermaids and plenty of crocodiles.

The Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust raised £8million to fund the new tourism attraction from public donations, fundraising events and grants from various organisations.

The pirate themed play area. (Jim McEwan)

And it has been championed by actress Joanna Lumley who, as patron, is set to formally open the gardens at a private ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday evening ahead of the informal opening to the public opening on Saturday.

Dame Barbara Kelly, chairman of the PPMT, said: “I am so excited to be welcoming the public to see how it all looks and very relieved that it has all come together. It will be a good day for Moat Brae, a good day for Dumfries, and a good day for Scotland.

“People can come in with a feeling of wonderment and, hopefully, leave floating on air.”

The Standard got the chance to have a look around the house and gardens this week to give readers a preview peek as finishing touches are being put into place.

Dame Barbara Kelly. (Jim McEwan)