The National Museum of Scotland has now welcomed two million visitors in 2017, the first time it has hit this significant milestone in its 150-year history. Visitor numbers are now running at almost three times the level before the redevelopment programme at the Museum started in 2007.

The two millionth visitor was ten-year-old Zac Lewis from Edinburgh, who visited the Museum today with his mum, Eriko Kono.

Dr Gordon Rintoul, Director of National Museums Scotland said:

“Welcoming over two million visitors in a calendar year for the first time in our history is a huge achievement. Through the efforts of our staff, the creativity of our design teams and the support of many funders, we have been able to create a truly world class Museum. Since opening ten award winning new galleries of art, design, fashion, science and technology last summer, we have had terrific feedback from our visitors, whether they are from Scotland or many countries across the world.”

Now the most popular museum in the UK outside of London, the National Museum of Scotland is approaching the completion of a 15-year, £80 million masterplan to transform the Museum and showcase the breadth of its world class collections. The early 2019 opening of two new galleries dedicated to ancient Egypt and East Asia will be the final phase in this ambitious masterplan.

Zac Lewis said:

“It was really exciting to be the two millionth person to visit the National Museum of Scotland this year. I come here all the time with my mum and I’ve been coming since I was little. I want to be a scientist when I’m older and I really like the rocks and minerals at the Museum.”

Further information and images from: Alice Wyllie or Bruce Blacklaw, National Museums Scotland Press Office on 0131 247 4288 or 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 museum 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.

Header image: Ten-year-old Zac Lewis comes face to face with a two-million-year-old tiger skull. Photo © Neil Hanna.