Scotland: A Changing Nation

Explore a changing nation through the lives of ordinary and extraordinary Scots.

Scotland: A Changing Nation traces the varied experiences of people living and working in 20th century Scotland through five major themes of modern life: war, industry, daily life, emigration and politics.

Through personal stories, iconic objects and film, you can examine Scotland's social history and how it has been shaped by these themes into a modern and diverse nation in the 21st century.

You can also enjoy a short preview of the gallery's feature film, One Nation, Five Million Voices; an uplifting and inspiring look at Scottish life and what it means to be Scottish.

In the gallery

War

Discover Scotland's experience of two World Wars and find out how war affected everyday life.

Industry

Originally dominated by coal, steel and heavy engineering, industry in Scotland has radically changed during the 20th century.

Leaving Scotland

Discover why more Scots left their homeland during the 20th century than in any other period, and how they made new lives overseas.

Daily Life

Aspects of daily life in Scotland have changed dramatically during the 20th century, creating a diverse and vibrant culture.

Voice of the People

Uncover the massive political transformations Scotland has undergone during the last 100 years.

One Nation, Five Million Voices

What does it mean to be Scottish, or to call Scotland home? One Nation, Five Million Voices presents a cross-section of people giving their personal views.

Scottish Sports Hall of Fame

Celebrate some of the greatest men and women in Scottish sport in our Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.

Fun and games

Looking at the bionic hand There are lots of things to keep younger visitors occupied here. Enjoy music and entertainment from Scottish celebrities in the Daily Life display, find out what young people think about living in Scotland in the One Nation, Five Million Voices film and try your hand at fishing and shipbuilding in the Industry gallery.

Visitors' comments

“It’s excellent – I could spend hours in here.”
“This exhibition is the best part of the museum.”
“Very impressive. It successfully measures how much things have changed.”
“It’s the kind of exhibition you could keep coming back to, to pick different bits out of it.”
“It’s absolutely brilliant. I’m very impressed. It’s a nice taste of everything from social to political.”
“It was fascinating, really good.… You could relate to it on a personal level.… It’s given me a wider insight into things that I had only previously appreciated a little.”
“Before, Scotland for me was all about kilts, bagpipes and Highland cattle. The exhibition reveals more of a complete culture.”
“It's the most interesting part of the museum because of the blend of multimedia and displays and things to try out.”