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Roof beams

About the redevelopment project

A £47m initiative is transforming the magnificent Victorian part of the National Museum of Scotland (formerly the Royal Museum) into a must-see attraction for people from Scotland and around the world.

The redevelopment will see storage areas turned into public space, dated displays completely transformed and access improved throughout, so everyone will be able to share in the new museum.

Moving the buffalo from the museum

Why are we doing this?

The benefits of the project will be to:

  • Display thousands of new treasures – 80% of the objects on display will be shown for the first time.
  • Create sixteen new galleries totalling 7,000m2.
  • Increase public spaces by 50%.
  • Add 800m2 of special exhibition space.
  • Provide a new learning centre, trebling the space for education in the museum.
  • Make it easier to access the museum, through a new welcoming arrivals hall at street level, and to reach all floors and galleries with new glass lifts and escalators.
  • Improve the facilities for visitors, including a new café and better shop.

Moving a the bubble-wrapped elephant from the museum

Where have all the exhibits gone?

Now that the work is under way, over two million items have been carefully catalogued, packed and moved into our purpose-built storage facility - the National Museums Collection Centre.

Where can I find out more?

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with activity in the run up to our opening day!

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Related pages

  • Treasured: Wonderful Things, Amazing Stories
  • National Museums Collection Centre 

Downloads

  • Project Summer newsletter 2008
  • Project Autumn newsletter 2008
  • Project Winter newsletter 2008
  • Project Summer newsletter 2009
  • Project Winter newsletter 2009
  • Project Summer newsletter 2010
  • Project Winter newsletter 2010
  • Project Summer newsletter 2011

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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130