The National Museum of Scotland is a museum located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is one of the most important museums in the country, and it holds a variety of collections, including art, natural history, science and technology, and world cultures. The museum was established in 1861, and it has been a major attraction for tourists and locals alike ever since.
History of the Museum
The National Museum of Scotland was established in 1861, when the Royal Scottish Museum was founded. The museum was initially located in Edinburgh’s New Town, and it was the first museum in Scotland to be open to the public. Over the years, the museum has expanded, and it now includes five different buildings in the city, including the Royal Museum, the Royal Scottish Academy, the National Gallery of Scotland, and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
In 1998, the National Museum of Scotland was formed by merging the Royal Scottish Museum and the Museum of Scotland. The new museum was located in the former Royal Scottish Museum building, and it featured a range of collections from both institutions. Since then, the museum has continued to grow, and it now features over 20,000 objects from around the world.
Collections
The National Museum of Scotland houses a wide range of collections, including art, natural history, science and technology, and world cultures. The art collection includes works from the Renaissance to the present day, while the natural history collection includes a range of specimens, including fossils, insects, and mammals. The science and technology collection includes items such as scientific instruments, tools, and machines, while the world cultures collection includes artifacts from around the world.
Highlights of the Collection
The National Museum of Scotland is home to a number of notable items, including:
- The Lewis Chessmen – a set of 12th-century chess pieces carved from walrus ivory
- The Monymusk Reliquary – a 15th-century reliquary made from gold and enamel
- The Great Map of Scotland – a giant 18th-century map of Scotland measuring over 10 metres long
- The Mary Rose – the remains of a 16th-century warship
- The Rosetta Stone – a 3rd-century BC stone inscribed with a decree from the Egyptian Ptolemaic dynasty
Visiting the Museum
The National Museum of Scotland is open to the public seven days a week, and admission is free. The museum offers a variety of interactive activities, exhibitions, and events, as well as educational resources and tours. The museum also has a cafe, shop, and library, and it is wheelchair accessible.