31 August 2012 Last updated at 05:26 ET

Black Watch museum to close its doors for renovations

The Black Watch Museum will close while the multimillion pound renovation takes place

A museum which honours the history of one of Scotland's most famous regiments will shut its doors to the public for the first time since it opened 50 years ago.

The Black Watch museum at Balhousie Castle in Perth is closing while a £3m renovation is carried out.

A piper will play a lament to mark the occasion.

The work will take seven months to complete and the museum is expected to re-open its doors next April.

The renovation of the regiment's former headquarters will see the creation of a new museum and archive.

Packing up

There will be more display space and room for special exhibitions.

While the work takes place the entire collection currently on display will be packed up and moved to temporary storage.

The development was funded through the successful Black Watch heritage appeal which raised £3.5m allowing the museum's trust to buy and develop the Balhousie Castle site.

The Black Watch, was formed in 1715 to calm troubles in the Highlands following the Jacob rebellion against the King.

Since its formation it has become a decorated regiment, fighting in major battles against the French and the Americans in their War of Independence.

In 2006, the regiment became a battalion following the creation of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.