The National Museum of Scotland merged with New Museum of Scotland, sharing their collections of Scottish antiquities, culture and history. The National Museum of Scotland stand alongside the Royal Museum, with collections of science and technology, natural history and world cultures. Both Museums can be accessed using the Nation Museum of Scotland admission fee.
The Museum of Scotland has the characteristics of a modern building, built in 1998, The former Royal Museum began its building in 1861 and parts of the Museum was opened in 1966, This building went through a massive renovation in 2008 and was reopened fully in 2011 spending a massive £47 Million to extend and restore the building.The Grand Gallery Reopening in 2011.
When the Museums reopened in 2011 there was 8000 objects on display 80% of these objects have never been on display before, these objects span from Scottish archaeological finds, medieval objects and many more artefacts from around the world.
One notable artefact is the Cloned Sheep, Dolly the Sheep the first successful cloned mammal from an adult cell, the ancient Egyptian exhibition, one of Elton John’s suits and the large millennium clock which is a kinetic sculpture.
In 2016 the Museum had 1.81 Million Visitor making the Museum the most popular Scottish attraction during that period.
Collections
There is many objects and exhibitions in the Museum here is some listed below:
- Notable artefact is this Detail of Chape from the St. Ninian’s Isle Treasure.
- Notable Artefact some of the 11 Lewis Chessmen in Edinburgh.
- Assyrian Relief of King Ashurnasirpal II and a court official, excavated from the Palace of Ashurnasirpal at Nimrud.
- Monymusk Reliquary.
- Ninian’s Isle Treasure.
- Celtic Brooches.
- Torrs Pony-cap and Horns.
- Pictish Stones.
- The Cramond Lioness, Newstead Helmet and other roman objects.
- Whitecleuch Chain.
- Migdale Hoard.
- Bute Mazer.
- Sculptures housing prehistoric jewellery.
- A Union flag and a Scottish flag raised by Hanoverians and Jacobite’s during the Battle of Culloden.
- The Maiden.
- Paintings by Margaret MacDonald.
- Sculptures by Andy Goldsworthy.
History
The Merging of the Museums took place in 1985 but both building retained separate collections until 1995 when the Queen Street building closed and in 1998 reopened as a joint museum, this then pushed further plans to redevelop the Victorian building and further bring the two buildings and collections together.
In 2004 this development took place and was reopened again in 2006 and then underwent another redevelopment in 2008 and reopened again in 2011.
If you would like to know more about The National Museum of Scotland try the Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Museum_of_Scotland or if you would like to try one of our tours that will take you to The National Museum of Scotland and other sites in Edinburgh come to our tours page https://eoscs.co.uk/car-tours-of-scotland/
To find out more about the attractions and places to see we have created a list to help you decide on some the best that Edinburgh has to offer Edinburgh Tourist Attractions.