Homecoming themes

Explore the five themes of the Year of Homecoming at National Museum of Scotland.

Throughout the galleries of National Museum of Scotland, you can explore:

Robert Burns

Aspects of the life and commemoration of Robert Burns can be found in a special Highlights case in the entrance of the museum.  Burns also appears in the Innovators gallery, Level 5.

Scots in North America  

Examine a new set of displays in the Scotland and the World gallery, Level 5, kindly funded by the NMS American Committee.  These displays look at the early Scottish settlement with North America, particularly the role of Scots in the framing of the American Declaration of Independence.  Continue through the gallery and explore the role of Scots in the slave trade in Scots in the Caribbean.

Three personal stories will complete the displays and feature famous connections between Scotland and America:

• John Paul Jones (1747-1792): Founder of the US Navy
• John Muir (1838-1914): Naturalist and environmentalist
• Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919): Scottish emigrant and international philanthropist.

Great Minds and Innovation

Our refreshed Innovators gallery will include displays on:

• Alexander Dalrymple: Scottish geographer and the first Hydrographer of the British Admiralty
• Sir Alexander Mackenzie: Fur trader and explorer
• Thomas Makdougall-Brisbane: Governor of New South Wales and Astronomer
• David Livingstone: Missionary and explorer
• Isabel Hutchison: Arctic traveller and writer

Golf

Scotland's national game features on two levels in the museum.  In the Spirit of the Age gallery, Level 3, golf appears as one of Scotland's 'healthful sports' of the 19th century.  Here, and on Level 5, explore the fascinating display of balls, clubs and sporting trophies.

Seven of Scotland's greatest golfers are inductees in the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, Level 6.  Objects relating to Tommy Armour, James Braid and Tom Morris are all on display.

Whisky

In the Workshop of the World gallery, Level 4, see the copper spirit from the Glenfiddich Distillery, and a range of objects illustrating both the distilling process and the early marketing efforts of the whisky industry.

Explore the export of Scotland's national drink in our newest gallery, Scotland: A Changing Nation, Level 6, with a case dedicated to the drop!

Further information

Plan your visit to each of the galleries with a copy of National Museum of Scotland's map.

We will have a range of special Homecoming events at all our museums throughout the year.  Sign up to our e-newsletter and be the first to know what's happening!

Become a Member!

Interested in more?  Become a Member and enjoy free or reduced admission to all of our museums.  Plus, enjoy a wide range of special member events, discounts and regular copies of our Explorer magazine.  Your support helps us in the valuable work we do and all from as little as £21 per year.  Find out more on our Membership page.