The landmark figure has been achieved eight months ahead of
predictions, and outstrips the previous record figure for a full
year. The Museum’s highest attendance then was 833,324 visits in
2007/08, the year before it partially closed for redevelopment.
Visitors from across the world have poured through the Museum’s
impressive new street-level entrance and into the spectacular Grand
Gallery, from where they have been able to enjoy 16 new galleries.
The beautifully-restored Victorian building only last week won the
Andrew Doolan Award for the Best Building in Scotland for 2011.
Over 8,000 treasures are on show, 80% of them for the first
time. The Natural World Galleries with their
life-sized T.rex, and the Museum’s re-positioned
Millennium Clock, are among the objects proving the biggest hit
with visitors. Another firm favourite is the Window on the World,
the UK’s biggest single museum installation, which features an
array of nearly 900 objects representing the diversity of the
Museum’s collections.
A spectacular opening ceremony on Chambers Street in July saw
nearly 6,000 people pass through the doors in the first hour. In
all, 22,000 visitors packed the Museum on opening day, and the
100,000 mark was reached in just six days. Now the entire first
year target has been reached in under four months.
National Museums Scotland is building on this success with a
programme of blockbuster exhibitions in its new, larger,
purpose-built space for special exhibitions. The first major new
shows will feature Ancient Egypt and a Russian Empress when
Fascinating Mummies and Catherine the Great open
in 2012.
The millionth visitor to the National Museum of Scotland was
among the party from Stockbridge Primary School, who visited on
Thursday 24 November.
Gordon Rintoul, Director, National Museums Scotland said:
"To reach this monumental visitor figure so far ahead of our
predictions is an incredible achievement. Years of planning,
fundraising and hard work have gone into realising our vision of
creating a world-class museum that sits firmly at the heart of
Scotland’s cultural landscape. To receive such a positive response
from the public is truly amazing.
"People really are voting with their feet and giving a massive
endorsement to all of the dedication, knowledge and creativity of
our staff and supporters. We are delighted."
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
"Since its magnificent transformation, the National Museum of
Scotland has become a magnet for local, national and international
visitors - but to reach a million in such a short space
of time is a remarkable achievement. Its extraordinary collections
displayed in such spectacular, award-winning surroundings
have firmly established it as a world-class must-see
attraction."
Colin McLean, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, Scotland, said:
"When we took the decision to invest in this imaginative
project, we knew we were backing a winner. But no one imagined the
new museum would reach this milestone quite so soon. It is a real
testimony to the thirst people have for exploring and celebrating
their heritage and a fitting reward for all who have contributed to
the project’s success. One million visitors cannot be wrong."
The transformation of the Victorian building is part of a
15-year, £70 million Masterplan for the Museum. Further new
galleries are under development and a new pedestrian frontage on
Chambers Street is also being planned. Preparation for this next
stage of development is already underway.
Notes to Editors
About the Museum
The £47.4 million redevelopment, jointly funded by the Heritage
Lottery Fund (£17.8 million), and the Scottish Government (£16
million), with a further £13.6 million from private sources,
incorporates:
- Over 8,000 objects, 80% of which are on display for the first
time
- A new entrance hall at street level
- 16 new galleries
- A spacious gallery for international touring exhibitions
- 2 discovery galleries for children and families
- A new 3-storey learning centre
- The reinstated Grand Gallery, and a new
addition: the Window on the World
- 50% more public space.
National Museums Scotland is the largest multi-disciplinary
museum group in Scotland, with four million items in its
collections and the largest body of curatorial and conservation
expertise in the country. Today, the group includes:
- National Museum of Scotland (formerly the Royal Museum and the
Museum of Scotland)
- National Museum of Flight
- National War Museum
- National Museum of Rural Life
- National Museum of Costume.
For further information and images please
contact: Hannah Dolby or Bruce Blacklaw, National Museums
Scotland Press Office or email h.dolby@nms.ac.uk or b.blacklaw@nms.ac.uk, t. 0131 247
4288.