GLASGOW'S best-loved collections will be under the spotlight as Scots are encouraged to visit them.

The Recognition Scheme, which is funded by the Scottish Government, was set up to ensure the country's most important collections are identified, cared for, protected and promoted to wider audiences.

Scottish Government Minister and Evening Times columnist Humza Yousaf is urging Scots to visit historic artefacts held in museums and heritage centres in Glasgow and across North Lanarkshire.

The Minister highlighted the region's industrial and social history collections in the list of 10 must-see attractions across the country.

Mr Yousaf was urging Scots to visit some of Scotland's 38 Recognised Collections of National Significance in 2013.

Included in the scheme are the Charles Rennie Mackintosh collection at Glasgow School of Art and the entire collection of the Hunterian at Glasgow University. The art school has the third largest collection of items relating to the Glasgow-born designer.

It includes furniture, drawings, watercolours and decorative art objects by Mackintosh and his close associates.

They are housed in the world-famous Mackintosh building which the architect designed.

The Hunterian collection includes fine arts, scientific instruments, rare coins and dinosaurs.

It is based around the original collection of the 18th-century physician and obstetrician William Hunter and offers insights into the lives of great figures including explorer Captain James Cook and the Glasgow scientist Lord Kelvin.

Also included in the scheme are works relating to the industrial and social history of North Lanarkshire council.

Many of the items are in Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life at Coatbridge. They show many aspects of work, home, political and social life through two centuries of heavy industrial growth and decline in west and central Scotland.

Mr Yousaf said: "Our Recognised Collections contain some of Scotland's most important, best-quality historic artefacts and art works and the Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Hunterian collections in Glasgow.

"The Year of Creative Scotland has been an unparalleled celebration of our nation's rich creativity.

"Now it has drawn to a close I urge all Scots to help build its legacy by searching out and visiting the many treasures in our collections.

Museums Galleries Scotland manages the scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Chief executive Joanne Orr said: "In Scotland we enjoy some of the finest museum collections in the world.

"The Recognised Collections represent the absolute best of what some of our museums and galleries have to offer.

"Visitors are inspired by collections of remarkable historic and social significance, whether they contain great wonders of past ages or everyday objects that were the essence of life for our ancestors."

Managed by Museums Galleries Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, the Recognition Scheme identifies and supports the most important, best-quality collections of historic artefacts and artworks in Scotland's local and regional museums and galleries.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk