100 days countdown to opening of new galleries at National Museum of Scotland

#SeeTheWholeStory

Today marks 100 days to go until the opening of three new permanent galleries at the National Museum of Scotland: Ancient Egypt Rediscovered, Exploring East Asia and the Art of Ceramics.

The opening of the galleries on Friday 8 February 2019 sees the completion, on time and on budget, of the 15-year, £80 million transformation of the Museum, restoring the much-loved Victorian building and revealing more of its treasures. With just 100 days until the new galleries are revealed, National Museums Scotland staff are busy preparing over 1,500 objects for display.

From historic paper and textiles to armour and ceramics, a team of conservators is working to ensure that the remarkable objects – 40 per cent of which will go on show for the first time in at least a generation – are ready for display. Meanwhile, new research is being carried out to unlock some of the stories behind the collections.

Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland said:

“I am delighted that our 15-year transformation of the National Museum of Scotland is nearly complete. Accompanied by a nationwide programme of activity, these three new galleries will present our Ancient Egypt, East Asia and ceramics collections in compelling and inspiring ways. Their opening marks the last step in an ambitious journey which has seen our visitor numbers more than treble, putting the Museum on the international map and making it the most visited attraction in the UK outside London.”

This £3.6m project has been made possible thanks to support from The National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Wolfson Foundation, the Sir James Miller Edinburgh Trust and a generous community of Trusts and individual donors. National Museums is now in the final stages of a public fundraising campaign and with the generosity of its visitors and supporters is confident that it will raise the £125,000 required to complete the National Museum’s transformation.

The opening of the new galleries is supported by a national programme of activity to extend their reach and impact to partner museums across Scotland, by sharing collections, knowledge and expertise.

Ancient Egypt Rediscovered covers 3,000 years of history, highlighting the stories of individuals to engage visitors with this remarkable civilisation. Objects on display include the only intact royal burial group outside of Egypt, the only double coffin ever discovered in Egypt and a cosmetics box which is one of the finest examples of decorative woodwork to survive from ancient Egypt. The gallery will also chart the remarkable contribution made by Scots to the development of Egyptology.

Exploring East Asia will celebrate the dynamic cultures of China, Japan and Korea, showcasing their diverse traditions, peoples and histories. National Museums Scotland’s East Asia collections are among the most important in the UK and represent over 150 years of continuous collecting. The gallery will highlight the range of exquisite art and craftsmanship from the region with objects such as a headdress from 18th-century China, made from kingfisher feathers, Japanese woodblock prints and remarkable sets of armour.

Further information and images from Alice Wyllie, Press Office, National Museums Scotland on 0131 247 4288 or email a.wyllie@nms.ac.uk

Notes to editors

1. National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe and it looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
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2. The National Museum of Scotland is the most popular attraction in the country outside of London (source: Association of Leading Visitor Attractions). The National Museum of Scotland was awarded ‘Gold’ Level Green Tourism Visitor Attraction status in 2016.

3. Bheireadh Oifis nam Meadhanan eadar-theangachadh Gàidhlig den bhrath-naidheachd seachad do bhuidhinn mheadhanan bharantaichte. Cuiribh fios do dh'Oifis nam Meadhanan airson bruidhinn air cinn-latha freagarrach.