National Museum Of Scotland
National Museum Of Scotland
5 minutes read•Published on 18-11-2024
Situated in Edinburgh, the National Museum of Scotland is a significant establishment. It exhibits a broad array of items from every corner of the world. The museum’s mission is to present visitors with insights into nature, global cultures, art, design, science, technology, and Scotland’s past. Here, you can explore everything from age-old relics to the latest in technology, providing a deep understanding of our country, its residents, culture and history. As a hub for learning, exploration and pleasure, the museum is frequented by both locals and tourists.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the National Museum Of Scotland with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh was established in 2006. It came into existence by combining two older Edinburgh museums. These were the Museum of Scotland, dedicated to Scottish history and artifacts, and the Royal Museum, which focused on science, natural history, and global cultures. This combination created a large exhibit showcasing extensive historical and scientific items.
In 2008, a significant renovation began to transform the museum. The Royal Museum building received numerous enhancements and more space was added for additional exhibits. This process was completed in 2011, which made the museum more inviting and easy for people to visit. The renovation was a major investment in preserving and promoting Scotland’s cultural heritage.
The museum has been granted many valuable objects that are crucial to Scotland’s history over the years. The collections include items from prehistoric times, Dolly the sheep who was famously the first cloned mammal, and various objects from around the globe. With galleries dedicated to different subjects such as Scottish history, natural history, technology, and world cultures, the museum is devoted to educating visitors about the significant role Scotland has played historically and culturally.
Today, the National Museum of Scotland is a top attraction for visitors in Scotland. Anyone can come and learn about the history of Scotland from ancient times until now. The museum is a testament to Scotland’s significant impacts and contributions in diverse fields. Regardless of whether visitors are interested in science, technology, culture, or history, the National Museum of Scotland has something to offer everyone.
One reason to visit
The Lewis Chessmen
The Lewis Chessmen collection is an important exhibit you can view at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. These chess pieces were found in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, and they are very important because they were one of the biggest archaeological finds in Scotland. Whats special about them is that they give us a very clear picture of what life was like in the Viking Age, in the 12th century. The collection has 93 pieces, and most of these are made from walrus ivory. The very good quality of the carving, and what they tell us about history, makes the Lewis Chessmen a very good reason to make a trip to the museum.
Getting there
To get to the National Museum of Scotland by walking, start from Edinburgh train station. Walk south on North Bridge/A7 towards Market Street. Continue for about 450 meters and you will see High Street. Turn left onto High Street and walk for another 300 meters. Where it intersects with South Bridge rotate onto it. You will see the National Museum of Scotland on your right. Total walking time from the train station to the museum is approximately 15 minutes.
Start your journey from Waverley Station then head west on Princes Street. Make a turn to the left at the Mound and continue uphill. Once you reach the top, turn right and then immediately left onto George IV Bridge. Drive past the Royal Mile and continue until you reach Chamber Street on your left after about 1 mile. The National Museum of Scotland is just around the corner. You can park your bike at the dedicated parking area in front of the museum.
Begin by taking the Lothian Buses or the Edinburgh Trams to the city center. If you're taking the bus, take either the bus number 23, 27, 41, 42, or 67 and get off at the George IV Bridge stop. If you're using the tram, get off at the Princes Street stop. From there, the National Museum of Scotland is a short walk away. Navigate towards the Royal Mile and turn down South Bridge, which becomes Chambers Street – the National Museum of Scotland is located on this road.
To get to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh by car, firstly you need to join the A720 road. Follow the A720 until you reach the A701 exit towards Edinburgh. Follow the A701 road to the very heart of the city. Then, you should look for a sign to Chambers Street. There is a parking lot called NCP Car Park located at Castle Terrace, just a quick walk from the museum. The car park’s postcode is EH1 2EW in case you want to use GPS navigation. On Sundays, there is a free on-street parking not far from the museum. Just remember, the museum is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. For your information, there are also buses numbers 23, 27, 35, 41 and 45 will take you right to the museum.