
Modern and Contemporary History
Our Modern and Contemporary History collections represent cultural, social, political, military and rural history in Scotland from c.1750 right up to the present day.
The collections document the impact and legacies of Enlightenment, industry and empire that marked the transformation of Scotland during the later-eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They chart a line through the major international conflicts and profound social shifts of the twentieth century, telling stories about continuity and change in Scottish life right up to the present day.
Notable collections include: Scottish decorative arts, from precious jewellery to glass and ceramics; unrivalled bagpiping collections and the material culture of working life, from ploughs to weavers’ tools. We hold extensive material representing military history and rural life, reflecting the strength of the foundational collections of the National War Museum and National Museum of Rural Life.
Our innovative contemporary collecting programme is focused on representing the twenty-first century with an emphasis on what is distinctive about Scotland in a globalised world, and of the regional and cultural differences within the country. We also actively collect objects that shed light on how the past continually shapes the present.
Meet the team
Dr Sarah Laurenson
Principal Curator of Modern and Contemporary HistoryDr Calum Robertson
Senior Curator, Modern & Military HistoryDr Ailsa Hutton
Curator, Modern and Rural HistoryDr Mhairi Maxwell
Curator, Modern and Contemporary HistoryOliver Taylor
Assistant Curator, Modern and Contemporary HistoryDr Julie Holder
Assistant Curator, Modern and Contemporary History
Modern and Contemporary History stories
- Discover
For hire: making Highland dress more accessible
The suit of Highland dress acquired from Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers, Edinburgh, captures the company’s distinct approach to Highland wear for hire. The hire package centres on the ‘John Muir Way’ tartan. This pattern was designed by, and… - Discover
The 'tappit hen': A drinking vessel used during the lifetime of Robert Burns
These pewter drinking vessels were common in eighteenth century Scotland’s public houses because they were relatively cheap to make and could withstand use and, perhaps, abuse.The name ‘tappit hen’ is derived from the distinctive… - Discover
Cloth of identity: designing tartan
Tartan is one of the most recognisable symbols of Scotland. With historical roots in the display culture of medieval Gaelic society, this living tradition has constantly evolved to suit the social and cultural landscapes of the…