Rising through the four storeys of the Grand Gallery, from the
ground floor to the roof, Window on the World is the largest single
museum installation in the UK. It showcases a spectacular array of
items to represent the diversity of our collections, from science
and technology to the natural world, archaeology and cultures of
the world to the history of Scotland.
Click on any of the images below to see a larger version of the
object and find out more about it.
850 objects are displayed in Window on the World, ranging in
size and scope from tiny glass sculptures and a mineral from the
slopes of Mt Vesuvius (actually containing the world’s largest
sample of the rare mineral sarcolite) to large items such as a
gyroplane, a full size railway signal from the Stirling to Alloa
line and a girder from the original Tay Bridge.
Ascent to each level of the Grand Gallery reveals new objects
and perspectives, with information stations on each floor enabling
you to identify and learn more about the various items on
display.
Above: Part of the Window on the World.
Photo © Sarah Jo Belfort.
Don’t miss…
Among the objects on display are the jaws of a sperm whale,
inscribed with what is thought to be the largest ‘scrimshaw’
carving in the world, the Pembridge helm (one of only four
surviving 13th century knight’s helmets, brought to Edinburgh by
the artist Sir Joseph Noel Paton), a four-seater racing bicycle,
and gold-inlaid armour from Iran.
And, on the top floor, visitors will be delighted to see what
some might think of as the original interactives – working model
replica steam engines, complete with the red button to press to get
the wheels turning and the engines working.
Amongst the treasures in the Window on the World you'll find
working models of locomotives, pumps, engines and more. See videos
of our models in action here.