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The Lögrétta Valances
17 June 2024 to 22 June 2025
For the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Iceland, National Museums Scotland have lent an embroidered linen canvas hanging which allegedly hung in the Icelandic Court of Legislature at Pingvellir in the late 18th century.
Envisioning Other Worlds
2 June 2024 – 22 September 2024
National Museums Scotland have lent 5 meteor fragments to this exhibition which looks at the explosion of interest in the discovery of exoplanets (planets outwith our solar system) since their first evidencing in 1995 and how they have been imagined by humans across cultures and throughout literature.
Sir Walter Scott
25 April 2024 – 21 April 2027
For new displays at the Abbotsford House Visitor Centre, National Museums Scotland have lent 5 items relating to Sir Walter Scott including a calf’s heart pierced with pins as a charm to ward off witches and a helmet worn by Sir Walter Scott for the Midlothian Volunteer Yeomanry.
Na Dorsan
22 April 2024 – March 2025
National Museums Scotland have lent 40 archaeological artefacts from the Isle of Lewis, from the area near Galson village, which was resettled in 1924 when rescue excavations uncovered an Iron Age cemetery and long-lived settlement.
Kinloch Historical Society, Archaeology Homecoming
22 April 2024 – March 2025
14 pieces of excavated archaeological material have been lent to the newly accredited Kinloch Museum, which is marking the Kinloch Historical Society’s 40th anniversary with an exhibition. All the archaeological artefacts were found locally on the Isle of Lewis, including a horn scoop, a carved stone ball and axe heads dating from 3800-2500 BCE.
The Whithorn Crozier
1 April 2024 – 31 October 2024
For the 2024 visitor season National Museums Scotland lent the Whithorn Crozier, a deluxe late 12th century gilt bronze crozier excavated from the Whithorn Priory Bishops’ graves. The crozier was used a symbol of bishops and abbots and buried alongside those who held important clerical offices.
7 October 2023 – 28 January 2024
National Museums Scotland lent 6 seventeenth century Indian miniature portraits to this exhibition which examines how the traditions of South Asian miniature painting have been reclaimed and reinvented by modern and contemporary artists.
June 2023 – January 2024
National Museums Scotland lent a shield and two clubs to this exhibition which brings together historic Aboriginal material culture held in museums outside of Australia. The loan enables a greater number of Aboriginal people to reconnect with their material heritage.
18 May 2023 - 8 October 2023
This exhibition explores nineteenth century China through art, fashion and furniture, while also examining how technology transformed society. National Museums Scotland lent an exquisitely decorated headdress known as a phoenix crown made from blue kingfisher feathers and a selection of carved red lacquer boxes.
18 September 2022 – 26 February 2023
National Museums Scotland lent one of the iconic Lewis chessmen to this comprehensive exhibition of the “Men from the North”. The exhibition looks at a geographical approach to exploring the mix of cultures brought about by trade and conquest. The Normans were powerful princes and rulers who left their traces all over Europe and beyond.
After a major redevelopment, Kilmartin Museum reopened in September 2023 and National Museums Scotland lent 61 archaeological artefacts on long term loan. The new displays tell the story of the internationally important archaeological landscape of Kilmartin Glen. Artefacts on loan include axeheads, pottery, flints and carved stones.
National Museums Scotland has lent a large Imperial Chinese porcelain fish-bowl dating from 1567-1572 for long term display in the new Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery. This gallery is part of Manchester Museum’s 15-million-pound refurbishment which saw the reopening of the Museum in February 2023.
