We deal with many loan requests every year for both short-term
and long-term loans for exhibitions and small displays and consider
loan requests from any museum, gallery or public
organisation. You can request a loan
online or in writing to the Director of National Museums
Scotland.
Loans to private individuals or commercial organisations are not
usually given, unless the objects are made publically accessible
and all loan conditions are met. Objects on loan must be on public
display or for research purposes.
If you are unsure which objects you wish to borrow or what the
National Museums holds in the collection, your first contact should
be with the appropriate curator who will be best placed to advise
you. Details of the curatorial
departments can be found here, and you can contact the
Departmental Administrators to establish which curator(s) you need
to contact. Visits to view the objects well in advance of the loan
request should be arranged with the curator and are always
advisable.
Alternatively you can contact the Department of Collections
Management, who can assist you by searching the collections
database. The Collections Development Manager is Pam Babes,
p.babes@nms.ac.uk.
Before making your request, please read our procedures for loans and our loans standard and
guidance.