Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
The castle-inspired tower of the museum. Photo
Ron Dough.
Modern exterior of the Museum of Scotland. Photo
I.T.M. Parnell.
Pictish carvings of a bird and fish. Photo
tigerweet.
Carved stones from ancient Scotland. Photo
tigerweet.
Chessmen from the Isle of Lewis. Photo
Jeremy Keith.
Spiral carvings on a tomb from Orkney. Photo
Jessica.
The Hunterston Brooch, 700 AD. Photo
Jessica.
Mysterious Pictish carvings, meaning unknown. Photo
Jessica.
The Monymusk Reliquary. Photo
Lee Kindness.
The Museum of Scotland is an excellent modern museum in Edinburgh's Old Town. It displays artifacts from across Scotland and beyond, including Viking brooches, Pictish carved stones, ancient chessmen, medieval oak carvings and more.
History
Construction on the Museum of Scotland began in 1991 by the architects Benson & Forsyth and it opened in 1998. The building was nominated for the Stirling prize for architecture in 1999. Together with the Victorian-style Royal Museum next door, it is part of the National Museums of Scotland.
What to See
Made of Moray sandstone, the architecture of the Museum of Scotland is modern and striking. It is predominantly geometric in form, but pays homage to some traditional elements of Scottish design, such as the castle-like round tower and elements of brochs, tower houses and tenements.
Inside, seven levels are interconnected in unexpected ways, in order to emphasize the connections between the eras and events of Scottish history.
Covering virtually the entirety of Scottish history, the museum's exhibits include some 12,000 objects that illustrate the religious beliefs, daily lives and ideals of the people of Scotland from the earliest tribes to the present day.
In addition to a rich collection of ancient artifacts and historical displays, the museum provides encounters with the contributions of modern Scotland - from Alexander Graham Bell to the Hillman Imp to Dolly the sheep.
The official website of the National Museum of Scotland describes their collection this way:
For generations, we’ve collected key exhibits from all over Scotland and beyond. Viking brooches, Pictish stones, ancient chessmen, medieval oak carvings, ornate quaichs and Queen Mary’s clarsach. The unusual, the weird and the wonderful – all under one roof. There’s more! Hours fly by at the National Museum of Scotland. Connect with Dolly the sheep, design a robot, test drive a Formula One car, power up a generator or blast off into outer space.
Permanent exhibitions of the museum have the following themes:
- Early People
- In touch with their gods - burial practices and beliefs
- Them and Us - Viking and Roman invasions
- A Generous Land - use of natural resources
- Wider horizons - influence of travelers, traders and invaders
- Kingdom of the Scots
- Scotland Defined - some of the most precious objects of the Scottish nation
- The Governing of Scotland and the Stewart Dynasty - Robert the Bruce to King James VI
- Na Gaidheil - West Highland art in the Middle Ages
- Scotland's Contribution to Renaissance Art and Learning
- Life in Scotland's Towns
- Scotland in the 17th Century - a time of conflict and progress
- The Medieval Church - Scotland's medieval saints, the practice of pilgrimage, and the importance of St Andrews
- New Ideas and Forms of Worship - the Scottish Reformation and its effects
- Scotland Transformed
- Daith Comes In - burial rituals and customs in the 18th and 19th centuries
- The Jacobite Challenge
- The Spirit of the Age - the Scottish Enlightenment
- Living on the Land - rural life in the 18th and 19th centuries
- From Water to Steam - the steam engine powers the Industrial Revolution in Scotland
- Trade and Industry
- The Textiles Trade
- The Church - religious life in the 18th and 19th centuries
- Scotland and England are united under one Parliament
- Industry and Empire
- Scotland: A Changing Nation
- Connect Gallery
- Communicate!
The Museum of Scotland also includes a large gift shop, a renowned restaurant providing lunch and dinner (the Tower Restaurant, 131/225-3003), and a roof garden with fine views. Next door is the Royal Museum (also free), with 36 more galleries to explore.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Museum of Scotland; National Museum of Scotland |
| Location: | Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland |
| Category: | Museums |
| Faith: | Museum |
| Date: | Built 1991-98 |
| Architecture: | Modern |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 55.946926° N, 3.190466° W (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF |
| Phone: | 0131 225 7534 |
| Website: | www.nms.ac.uk |
| Hours: | Daily 10am-5pm |
| Tours: | Audio tours and frequent guided tours (both free) |
| Cost: | Free |
| Photography: | Permitted |
| Facilities: | Gift shop, café, toilets |
| Accessibility: | Handicapped accessible. |
Travel Resources
- Edinburgh Map - our detailed interactive map of Edinburgh, plus hand-picked links to more
- Edinburgh Guided Tours - book sightseeing tours and activities in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, then book at the guaranteed lowest rate
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- Edinburgh Flight Search - compare multiple travel sites to find the lowest airfare to Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
- Edinburgh Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Edinburgh tourism
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Museum of Scotland. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Edinburgh Map.
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- National Museum of Scotland - official website
- National Museum of Scotland - Undiscovered Scotland
- National Museum of Scotland - Rough Guide to Scotland
- Museum of Scotland - Frommer's Scotland
Article last updated: 10/27/2009.
