Exterior of the National Museum of ScotlandImage 1 of 5

Earth and Space GalleryImage 2 of 5 | © National Museums Scotland

Mask in the Performance and Lives GalleryImage 3 of 5 | © National Museums Scotland

Grand GalleryImage 4 of 5 | © National Museums Scotland

Wildlife panoramaImage 5 of 5 | © Rob McDougall

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

Following a £47 million 3-year redevelopment, the newly transformed National Museum of Scotland has re-invigorated its grand collection of curiosities and spellbinding objects, 8,000 of which have never been displayed before. Its 36 galleries will feature exhibits collected from all over Scotland and beyond, and will cover life, the universe and everything in it. Visitors will have the chance to connect with Dolly the Sheep and view Viking brooches, ancient chessmen and Queen Mary’s clarsach.

Permanent collection

There's a vast array of treasures from around the world to explore in the museum's many galleries. The impressive Grand Gallery highlights Scotland's contribution to the world and the breadth of its collection from a 12 ft feast bowl to a newly-restored cast iron fountain shown in the image gallery above.

The Science and Technology Gallery helps you explore space travel, energy and power, genetics, robotics and transport while the Natural World Gallery has some impressive exhibits from a life-sized cast of Tyrannosaurus rex and stuffed pandas to a giant squid! As you can tell the museum is vast and it may be wise to pick one or two galleries to explore in detail.