Black cat who delighted visitors at East Kilbride museum for 17 years dies as tributes paid

A much-loved black cat who greeted visitors at a Scottish national museum has died at the age of 17.

Sweep, alongside her sister Sooty, spent her time patrolling the grounds of the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride, meeting and greeting visitors.

The National Museums Scotland said that the farm cat “excelled” in her role as the “Tractor Trailer Welcome Committee” before her death last month.

They said in a statement: “We’re very sad to share the news that our gorgeous farm cat, Sweep, left us last month.

“She was an estimated 17 years old when she passed. She spent most of her life meeting and greeting visitors to the National Museum of Rural Life.

“She excelled in her role in the Tractor Trailer Welcome Committee.

“Here’s a selection of pictures of her from over the years.

“In some, she is pictured with her sister Sooty, her purr-tner in crime up at the farm. Sooty is continuing her good work up at the farm, ready to meet our visitors. Goodbye Sweep.

“We’ll miss her loads.”

Sweep with her sister Sooty National Museums Scotland via Supplied

Members of the public took to the comments to pay tribute to the cat.

One person wrote: “I was having a tough time a few years ago after losing my dad. I walked up to the farm from the stores in my break.

“There she was, jumped up, wrapped herself around me in a big kitty hug. I just stood there sobbing. It was the hug I didn’t know how much I needed. Thank you Sweep. I’ve never forgotten that.

Another wrote: “I loved seeing Sooty and Sweep whenever I came to Kittochside, and the best day ever was when Sweep was perched on my shoulder as I walked around.”