10 must-see in the National Museum of Scotland

In the year 2006, The National Museum of Scotland was formed as a result of the amalgamation of the Museum of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Museum. The National Museum of Scotland brought in collections related to the Scottish antiquities as well as its culture and while the Royal Scottish Museum had artefacts covering Science and technology, natural history and also of world cultures. Since then, this museum has expanded its collection from individual contributors and also from other museums.

Located near George Square, in the heart of Oldtown, the 8 storey National Museum of Scotland has something for everyone to cherish. But, it can take up all the time you have if you are not equipped with a plan on what to see. The exhibits of all the floors can logically be divided into two broad categories. the first section focuses on science, animals, culture, and art from all over the world while the second is all about Scottish history. Make sure you get the sitemap of the place so that you will not miss anything that interests you. It is available on the ground floor. The entry into the museum is free, and donations are welcome.

The Newstead Helmet is perhaps one of the oldest artefacts in the National Museum of Scotland. This ancient artefact is dated to 80–100 AD is an iron Roman Cavalry Helmet. It is said that auxiliary cavalrymen known as Hippika Gymnasia would have worn the ancient helmet. The Newstead Helmet was discovered in the year 1905 at the site of a Roman fort in Newstead, Roxburghshire, Scotland. Sir James Curle, the discoverer of the helmet, describes it as "one of the most beautiful things that the receding tide of Roman conquest has left behind”.The mask is in two pieces, both of which are made with beaten iron. It depicts fine metalwork in different patterns all around and also has traces of tin as well as silver. The Newstead Helmet is one of the ancient Roman helmets collections showcased in the National Museum of Scotland. There were two other helmets that were excavated along with the Newstead helmet which you can see in the Newstead collection of the museum.

The Lewis Chessmen is undeniably one of the must-see collection in the National Museum of Scotland. The museum exhibits 11 of the total collection of the Lewis Chessmen. It is popularly known as the Uig chessmen that was named after the bay where they were found. These are a group of distinctive 12th-century chess pieces carved from walrus ivory. The chess pieces were discovered in Lewis, Scotland. These 11 pieces are a part of some of the few complete, surviving medieval chess sets found. The rest of the collection lies in the British Museum in London. The collection had, when found, 93 artefacts which constitute 78 chess pieces, 14 table men and one belt buckle.

One of the latest collection of the exhibits, Dolly, the Sheep holds the most prominent place in the history of cloning. Dolly is a pioneer in science as the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell. Dolly had three mothers and was cloned in the Roslin Institute of Edinburgh University. Dolly, the Sheep, was briefly removed from the National Museum of Scotland and was safely kept at the National Museums Collection Center. The sheep were moved back here to be a part of new Science and Technology galleries in 2016. And why not, out of 277 reconstructed eggs, Dolly was the only one who survived. One of the most significant breakthroughs in cloning. Do stop for a photo op with this celebrity of the National Museum of Scotland.

One of the mystical and dark exhibits of the National Museum of Scotland is the Authur’s Seat Coffins. The coffins were accidentally unearthed when 5 young lads were hunting for rabbits at the hilltop rocky peak called Authur’s Seat. A small cave covered with slate caught their attention and the rest is history. When the slate cover was removed, 17 miniature coffins were discovered with each measuring 3.7 inches long. These were arranged in 3 rows, two rows of eighteen and one solitary coffin. Each of these tiny pieces had a human clad wooden figurine in custom made clothing. Only 8 of the surviving coffins are on exhibit in the museum. The history behind the coffins is yet to unfold. There are speculations that they might be a part of witchcraft or part of a pagan ritual, or even a memorial to the era’s most notorious killing sprees. This mysterious exhibit is sure to give you the shivers down the spine. Also recommended must see around here is Alexander Peden’s mask. The mask is absolutely frightening.

This Muonionalusta Meteorite is one of the few exhibits that is amazingly kept in open display in the National Museum of Scotland. Means you can touch and feel this Meteorite. The 800,000 years old space rock is of iron-type and is believed that it could be similar to the material at the core of the earth and many other small planets or asteroids. The 170 kg meteorite is exceptionally magnetic and was found in Sweden in the year 2004.

You can’t miss sighting this South Pacific Feast Bowl right in the centre of the Grand Gallery. This large Feast Bowl adds even more grandeur to the vast, light-filled atrium of the Grand Gallery. The Feast Bowl, also known as Umete is from Atiu, an island amongst the Cook Islands of the South Pacific region. Dated back to 1870s, the Bowl was owned by the Tahitian princess Titania. This boat-shaped bowl is carved from a single piece of tamanu wood, that is local to the Atiu islands and had special significance in their culture. The Bowl was sold to the National Museum of Scotland by Titaua’s second husband, George Darsie. In 1895 Darsie sold many other artefacts to the museum, like Polynesian jewellery, tools and a chief’s headdress. These artefact lies in the centre of level 1 of the Grand Gallery, attracting the attention of many visitors.

The Carmond Lioness is a massive sandstone sculpture of a lioness sinking her teeth into the skull of a male prisoner. The fascinating Roman-era sculpture is linked to Roman Military commander’s tomb and the nearby Roman fort. The sculpture was found in the muds of the river Almond, in the village of Carmond by a local ferryman in 1997. The sculpture is one of the most significant Roman sculpture from the Roman collection that has stayed in the National Museum of Scotland.

The Schmidt Telescope has played a substantial role in the history of astronomy. The telescope that is on exhibit here is a sight to behold. This particular invention enabled the astronomers to photograph the mysteries of the universe with signature detailing in images. The Swedish-Estonian optician, Bernhard Schmidt invented the Schmidt Telescope. The telescope is responsible for many breakthroughs in the field of astronomy. The Space Gallery exhibits this telescope with pride in the National Museum of Scotland. Take one of the available guided tour of the National Museum of Scotland with particular attention to Space Gallery exhibits to understand the phenomenon of how it works in detail.

It has been over 65 million years since the Tyrannosaurus rex has walked on the surface of the earth. The National Museum of Scotland brings back this important page in the history of evolution through its new acquisition, a cast that has been taken from one of the nearly complete T Rex remains in the world. The original specimen found is held in the Museum of the Rockies. This T Rex will bring you as close as possible to understand and appreciate the scale and power of the dinosaurs that once walked the earth. This 12 metres long, magnificent life-size skeleton cast of the Tyrannosaurus rex is the star attraction of the Animal World, Level 1, in the National Museum of Scotland.

The Millennium clock tower is one of the must-see exhibits of the National Museum of Scotland. This clock that stands little over 10 metres high, echoes the form of a medieval cathedral. The clock summarises the best and the worst of the twentieth century inviting mixed feelings from the spectators. The intricate construction of this timekeeper has 4 sections, the Crypt, the Nave, The Belfry and the Spire. Each of these sections has its own story to tell and a secret to reveal too. The clock is the brainchild of 5 master makers, the furniture maker – Tim Stead, the kinetic sculpturer - Eduard Besudsky, the glass artist - Annica Sandström, the illustrator - Maggy Lenert and the clockmaker - Jürgen Tübbecke. The Egyptian monkey turning the mechanism of the clock in the crypt part attracts many children. The Nave section of the clock acts as a reminder of the worst and good aspects of the twentieth century.The Belfry section of the clock invites mixed feeling by the onlookers. Some find it very depressing and some look at it as a beautiful piece of art. The Millennium Clock Tower that stands in Level 1 of the Grand Gallery has been a centre of attraction for all. This is the gist of the not to be missed artefacts from ancient and recent times in the National Museum of Scotland.

There are also many other sections of different categories that you cannot miss here, in the National Museum of Scotland.

Witness the World Culture Galleries for collections of various artefacts from across the globe. Here you can encounter cultures of diverse peoples, objects, and places. The collection also helps us understand how we differ and what the people across various continents share. The exhibits are drawn from some of the museum’s oldest collections, and they powerfully demonstrate Scotland's international links. The patterns of life, on level of the World Culture galleries, exhibits collections from the 4 continents of the world. The star attraction on this floor is the African custom of choosing a coffin shape, such as the Mercedes Benz coffin by Paa Joe. There are other parts of world history collections through the Ming Vases of China, ornate Tahitian gorgets, The Egyptian Qurna coffin that are stars of the world’s culture gallery.

If you are visiting with kids, do not miss the Mammals collection at the National Museum of Scotland. The museum is home to around 50,000 species of mammals from the United Kingdom and also across the globe. It showcases 2,200 Quaternary fossil specimens, 30,000 skeletons, skins, mounts, and skulls of British origin mammals, and over 4,000 foreign mammals. The star attraction of this collection stands the Quagga, a unique and extinct not-so-stripy zebra, the only one of its kind that was ever photographed. Moby the Whale is also another start attraction that stands in the main hall of the National Museum of Scotland. Named after the popular frictional character Moby Dick, the whale is the first sperm whale to be stranded in the Forth in over 200 years. This 40ft whale became a celebrity after being sighted swimming up the Forth rather than out to sea. Many attempts to push the whale back to water failed, and the whale died on the foreshore at Airth on 31 March 1997. The museum exhibits skull of this whale in the Forth estuary.

Another must-see for children and adult alike in the National Museum of Scotland is the Science and Technology galleries. You can try your own genetic experiment in this gallery or even explore the 'Making It' section that throws light on how manufacturing and engineering have changed our lives from the time of the first train to 3D modelling. Do look up to the ceiling for a glance at the aerial history of aviation that includes the iconic Percy Hawk glider. The star of the Science and Technology galleries is the giant Human Hamster Wheel in the Energise section. Also, understand the evolution of bicycles, Boulton and Watt Engine and CERN accelerating cavity here.

The Art, Design and Fashion galleries of the National Museum of Scotland is like a catwalk into the best of decorative art, design, fashion and style from ancient times till today. Level 1 of the gallery takes you on a journey to explore centuries of creativity and innovation in textiles and fashion. The Art of Living gallery in level 5 displays some of the finest and luxurious lifestyles of the past like the Emperor Napoleon’s tea service, Hamilton Palace fireplace wall and the Hamilton-Rothschild Tazza collection.

Mingle with Royalty with the jewellery collection here from across the world from different periods of times. The Gold enamelled, heart-shaped locket set with an Onyx Cameo Portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots is one among the favourites of the visitors. Also is the intricate design jewellery from Indian collection is showcased in the Artistic Legacies collection in the 5^th floor of the National Museum of Scotland that belongs to the last Sikh King, Maharaja Duleep Singh. The late 18th-century collection includes ear ornament, nose ring pendant, bracelets, gilded silver armlet and many more.

Finally, don't forget to climb up to our roof terrace on the 7^th floor to see the beautiful scenery from the top! The view is spectacular and gives panoramic views of Edinburgh. On a sunny day, you can see the iconic Edinburgh Castle very clearly, a perfect place for a photo op. We hope you make the maximum of your visit to the National Museum of Scotland and take away ample knowledge and experience with you!

The Museum also has multiple guided tours to cater to different groups of people, including visually impaired and deaf visitors. Also, pick up a sovereign at one of three shops in the museum that has an exhaustive collection of gifts, souvenirs, toys and books. You can unwind with lunch or a snack at the new Balcony Café and Museum Brasserie or even eat your own packed lunch at the designated areas. The museum also offers a range of initiatives to support and welcome families with autistic children and also facilitates school visits as well as group visits. The museum also provides multiple, attractive venues at the heart of the city that can cater to individual or group events. Lastly, do not forget to download the Museum map so that you do not miss your favourite exhibit here.

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